ABBREVIATIONS CAN THREATEN PATIENT SAFETY
The findings of a new study reemphasize the danger of health care abbreviations to patient safety. Although abbreviations are known to cause medication errors, the current study is the first to examine the exact characterization and impact of these errors.
Writing in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety (September 2007), researchers stated that nearly 5% of all errors reported to US Pharmacopeia's MEDMARX between 2004 and 2006 were attributed to abbreviations. The analysis of almost 30,000 medication-error reports involving abbreviations suggests that health care professionals should consider additions to the "Do Not Use" list.
The 3 most common types of abbreviation- related errors were prescribing, improper dose/quantity, and incorrectly prepared medication.
Articles in this issue
Newsletter
Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.
Related Articles
- Advise Patients About Self-Care Measures to Treat Mild to Moderate GI Issues
September 18th 2025
- Evaluation of Pharmacist-Driven Penicillin Allergy Reconciliation
September 17th 2025
- Pharmacists Can Apply Their Expertise to the Medical Psilocybin Act
September 16th 2025
- From Curiosity to Clinical Impact: Shremo Msdi’s Path in Pharmacy Research
September 15th 2025