In: Nursing
Using the Joint Commission "Do Not Use" abbreviations, give three examples from the list as to what each could be mistaken for and why these abbreviations are a patient safety issue
The 'Do Not Use' abbreviation list includes: QD, QOD, MS04, MgSO4, U, IU, trailing zeros, and naked decimal points. The abbreviation 'MSdmorphine sulfate' was not included in our study because we believed that it would reduce the speci- ficity of the alert system.
IU (International Unit)
Lack of leading zero (.X mg)
MS (Morphine Sulphate)
MSO4 and MgSO4
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily)
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod
(every other day)
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)
U, u (unit)