Question

Why might a healthcare professional use an abbreviation that is on the "Do Not Use" List or the Error-Prone List?

What are the possible consequences?

What is one example of misinterpreting an abbreviation?

What can healthcare professionals do to help prevent medication errors?

This is pharmacology. Study guide

Answer 1

1. A healthcare professional may use an abbreviation which is on the ''Do not use'' List or the Error prone list is they are not aware about the drugs, or they are newly assigned and have not much experience in this, the healthcare member may also not be updated with the current drugs. For example QD is the medication should be taken everyday which can be mistaken with qid which is the medication should be taken four times a day.

2. The possible consequences in this case would be to administer wrong drug, doses, or route, which is life threatning and can also lead to death.

3. The example of misinterpreting an abbreviation would be QD and qid, which means every day and four times a day respectively.

4. The health care professionals should always look for the following list before administering a medication in order to prevent medical errors:

• Right Drug.
• Right Patient.
• Right Dose.
• Right Route.
• Right time.
• Right evaluation.