What medical abbreviations should not be used?

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Abbreviations	Intended Meaning	Correction
OD, OS, OU	Right eye, left eye, each eye	Use “right eye,” “left eye,” or “each eye”
BT	Bedtime	Use “bedtime”
cc	Cubic centimeters	Use “mL”
D/C	Discharge or discontinue	Use “discharge” and “discontinue”

What abbreviations are not allowed by the Joint Commission?

Official “Do Not Use” List

Do Not Use	Potential Problem
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily) Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod (every other day)	Mistaken for each other Period after the Q mistaken for “I” and the “O” mistaken for “I
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)* Lack of leading zero (.X mg)	Decimal point is missed

Are abbreviations allowed in medical records?

Acronyms and abbreviations are acceptable in the medical record if they are commonly recognized. If a practice uses terminology that is not industry standard, it must maintain a list of the abbreviations with definitions and how they are used, and should submit this documentation anytime an audit is done.

Is an abbreviation that is not acceptable to use as an abbreviation?

These abbreviations are listed below, along with their potential miscommunications, and the recommended alternative….Medical Abbreviations Officially Labeled “DO NOT USE”

DO NOT USE	POSSIBLE CONFUSION	USE THIS INSTEAD
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., qod (every other day)	with Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily)	every other day

Is there a list of approved medical abbreviations?

There is no standard or approved list used by health care professionals to search for medical acronyms or abbreviations. Therefore, it is important to understand the context in which the abbreviation or term has been used.

Is SUBQ an acceptable abbreviation?

Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous: Under the skin. For example, a subcutaneous injection is an injection in which a needle is inserted just under the skin. Also known as subcu. Abbreviated subq.

Are medical abbreviations universal?

Medical abbreviations are used in all medical and surgical departments, during surgery, the emergency room, and at discharge. Until recently, the use of abbreviations has never been regulated, and there is no universal rule as to which abbreviations can be used and which ones cannot.

Is Asa an approved abbreviation?

ASA (drug caution code): Abbreviation on a medication that indicates it contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). This special caution code is intended to be a warning for patients with specific medical conditions.

Is WNL an approved abbreviation?

within normal limits
The accepted medical meaning for the abbreviation “WNL” is “within normal limits.” Dr.

Is ad left or right ear?

AD: right ear. AOM: acute otitis media. AR: allergic rhinitis. AS: left ear.