Error-Prone Abbreviations and Symbols These are the cause of a significant number of medication errors. Two organizations promote patient safety in this regard. –TJC – “Do Not Use” list –ISMP – List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations

Error-Prone Abbreviations and Symbols (cont.) Examples include: –Trailing zero after a decimal point –No leading zero before a decimal point Do not write 1.0 mg Write 1 mg Do not write.5 mg Write 0.5 mg

Practice SSRI q ac breakfast and hs 2 u bg mg/dl 4 u bg >141 mg/dl Ultra tears i gtt OU q4h PRN Digoxin.125 mg PO QOD: even days Facility Name: RIMC HCTZ 25.0 mg PO i/d Identify error- prone abbreviations

Apply Your Knowledge Identify the error-prone abbreviations and symbols. BIDssQDPRN MSO4HCTmgmL &subcutIVu IMIJtiwID