AVOIDING MEDICATION ERRORS:
USING APPROVED MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS

Using inappropriate medical abbreviations for drug names during the prescribing process has been identified as one of the factors that may increase the risk of causing a serious medication error. The following scenario demonstrates a mis-abbreviation drug example that has occurred at Kansas University Medical Center but fortunately, was recognized and did not result in the patient receiving the wrong medication.

A list of approved abbreviations at KUMC can be found in the front of the printed formulary. Regulations for the use of abbreviations at Kansas University Medical Center have been approved by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff include the following:

• Only approved abbreviations have been approved for use in the body of a patient’s chart.
• No abbreviations are permissible in either the summary nor on the admission and Diagnosis Form (Face Sheet), nor on the Physician’s Order Form
• Also permitted are the recognized and acknowledged abbreviations or symbols of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biochemistry, pharmacology, biology and grammar.
• Abbreviations for governmental agencies closely associated with medical social problems are acceptable but a legend is preferred because of relatively frequent changes of the name of agencies involved in medical social care.
• All other abbreviations must be explained by a legend on each chart.

The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee will be working in conjunction with Medical Records to update the approved medical abbreviations listing in regards to drug name abbreviations.