In the medical field, when are abbreviations acceptable?

Question

also, who should them and why? Like on what forms are abbreviations allowed?

Answer 1

In the Medical field, a standarized set of abbreviations is used. Most refer to medical orders and diagnoses. Many of them have Latin roots. They are used to save time and space, and to protect patient's privacy. Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Pharmacy assistants, Medical technologists, Paramedics, and all other health care providers must be knowledgeable about these abbreviations and their meanings. Here's a list of some of the most common:

STAT= Immediately
CPR= Cardiorespiratory Resuscitation
D= Daily
BID= Twice a day {from Latin "Bis In Die"}
HS= At Bedtime {from Latin "Hora Somni"}
HBP= High Blood Pressure
PRN= When Needed {from Latin "Pro Re Nata}
IV= Intravenously

There are many other medically accepted abbreviations; to learn more, go to the following links:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=54842
http://www.jdmd.com/glossary/jdmd_glossary.pdf
http://www.globalrph.com/abbrev.htm

Answer 2

It has become increasingly difficult to use abbreviations in the medical field. We used to use them quite frequently, but recently (within the last 2 to 3 years), it has been frowned on. JThe abbreciations were latin. Some of them were qd for every day, bid for twice a day, tid for 3 times a day, qid for 4 times a day, MS for morphine, prn for as needed and several more. However, doctors scribble so much, we need English to figure out what they are writing.

Answer 3

many hospitals have an approved abbreviations list to prevent errors from physician orders. there is also an approved list from Joint Commission they would prefer to use.