In both cases, the drug is allowed to dissolve, avoiding swallowing as far as possible. FDA and ISMP Work to Prevent Medication Errors. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Looking for the list of medical abbreviations? Some of the typed or computer-generated abbreviations, prescription symbols, and dose designations can still be confusing and lead to mistakes in drug dosing or timing. for every other day, "MS", "MSO4", or "MgSO4" -- must write out either "morphine sulfate" or "magnesium sulfate", No trailing zeros (e.g. When possible, it is the first choice for the administration of drugs, since it is both convenient and economical. Administration within the vitreous body of the eye. "po" for by mouth 10. Medications are sometimes ordered to be administered by rectal route. doi:10.1093/ajhp/60.24.2540, Horon K, Hayek K, Montgomery C. Prohibited abbreviations: seeking to educate, not enforce. Glassman P. The Joint Commission's “Do Not Use” List: Brief Review (NEW) In: Making Health Care Safer II: An Updated Critical Analysis of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices. Drug delivery by inhalation is a common route, both for local and for systemic actions. ", avoiding "SC" or "SQ," as "SC" can be mistaken for "SL" (sublingual) and "SQ" as " 5 every"—instead, doctors should write out "subcut" or "subcutaneous". Click here to access the table below. Updated June 2019. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. June 2019 Accessed July 17, 2019 at. Drug Topics. doi:10.4212/cjhp.v65i4.1160, Overview of Abbreviations on Prescriptions, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. This delivery route is particularly useful for the direct treatment of asthmatic problems, using both powder aerosols (e.g. Thus administration involves risk of infection, pain, and local irritation. Patient Safety and Performance Measurement Fact Sheets. This is a list of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions, including hospital orders (the … Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in multiple medical journals in the field of surgery. This is the second commonest route of drug administration. Accessed July 17, 2019 at, The Joint Commission. Anesth Prog. © 2020 Pharmapproach Limited. ). Can be confused to mean BID (twice daily) and QID (four times daily); pharmacists should clarify abbreviations with DVM, if needed. Numbers can lead to confusion and drug dosing errors, too. Drugs may be inhaled as gases (e.g., nitrous oxide) and enter the bloodstream by diffusing across the alveolar membrane. In fact, an unclear, poorly written or wrong medical abbreviation that leads to misinterpretation is one of the most common and preventable causes of medication errors. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Also, this route can be used for systemic drug administration in addition to the local administration. Why Do the Effects of Drugs Vary Between Different People? Unlike the oral route, drugs with irritant or unpalatable nature can be administered through the rectum. BID, PO, XL, APAP, QHS, or PRN: Have you ever wondered what these odd, encrypted medical abbreviations mean on your prescription?