One of the most common but preventable causes of medication errors is the use of ambiguous medical notations. Some abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations are frequently misinterpreted and lead to mistakes that result in patient harm. They can also delay the start of therapy and waste time spent in clarification.
In an effort to promote safe practices, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that ISMP's list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations be considered whenever medical information is communicated.
This trifold brochure, which comes in a package of 50, outlines the scope of the abbreviation problem and provides a short list of some of the most common and dangerous error-prone abbreviations and recommendations for healthcare professionals, students, the pharmaceutical industry, and medical communications professionals.
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