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ABBREVIATIONS LIST

Revised March 2015Safe Medication Committee

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Guidelines for the Use of Abbreviationsin the Patient's Health Record

1. Abbreviations must not be used on consent forms signed by the patient.

2. Abbreviations must not be used on the Discharge Summary.

3. Amendments to the approved abbreviation list may be requested through the HealthRecords Committee for subsequent approval by the Medical Advisory Committee.

4. Approved abbreviations are necessary to facilitate effective communication andreduce the potential for misinterpretation in the legal health record.

5. Also see Do NOT Use abbreviations and policy.

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Approved Abbreviations A-ZOnly the following abbreviations are approved for use in the patient’s health record.

Intravenous Solutions (not exclusive)

D5W Dextrose 5% in waterD5/NS Dextrose 5% in 0.9% Sodium ChlorideD5/1/2 NS Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Sodium ChlorideD5/0.45% Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Sodium ChlorideNS Normal Saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride)2/31/3 Dextrose 3.3% in Sodium Chloride 0.3%RL Lactated Ringer's Solution

Approved Signs and Symbols

“ inch‘ foot- negative% percent= equals? questionable# fracture

Chemical Elements, Ions or Compounds

Are to be identified by their internationally known symbols or formulae e.g. (this listincludes only the more commonly used).

EtOH Ethyl AlcoholK PotassiumCl Chloride02 OxygenMg MagnesiumNaCl Sodium ChlorideNaHC03 Sodium BicarbonateHg MercuryC02 Carbon DioxideHCl Hydrochloric AcidKCl Potassium ChlorideRa Radium

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ABBREVIATIONS

“A”

AAA abdominal aortic aneurysmAAT activity as toleratedabd abdominalABG arterial blood gasac before meals or foodACL anterior cruciate ligamentACS acute coronary syndromeACT activated clotting timeADH antidiuretic hormoneADL activities of daily livingad lib as desiredAFib atrial fibrillationAICD automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillatorAI aortic insufficiencyAIBW adjusted ideal body weightAIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAKA above knee amputationAKI acute kidney injuryalc active labour commencedALC alternate level of careALOS actual length of stayALT alanine aminotransferaseam morningAMA against medical adviseAMI acute MIamp. ampouleam't amountant anteriorA.P. antepartumA/P anterior posteriorappt appointmentaq aqueousARDS acute respiratory distress syndromeAS aortic stenosisASA acetylsalicylic acidasap as soon as possibleASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease

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AST aspartate transferaseAtten. AttendantAV arteriovenousAVF arteriovenous fistulaAVG arteriovenous graftAWOL absent without leave

“B”

BBB Bundle Branch BlockBBP Biophysical ProfileBC blood cultureBE base excessBG Bone GraftBID twice dailybil bilateralBKA below knee amputationBM bowel movementBMD bone mineral densitometryBNP brain natriuretic peptideBP blood pressureBPD Bronchopulmonary DisplasiaBPH benign prostatic hypertrophyBR bathroomBRBPR bright red blood per rectumBRP bathroom privilegesBSA body surface areaBSO bilateral salpingo oophorectomyBSW Bachelor of Social WorkBx biopsy

“C”

oC Centigrade or CelsiusCa carcinomaCABG coronary artery bypass graftCAD coronary artery diseaseCAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysisCBW current body weightCAN cord around neckCap capsuleCBC complete blood count

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CBI Continuous Bladder IrrigationCC chief complaintCCK cholecystokinenCHD congenital heart defectCHF congestive heart failureCHO carbohydrateChol cholesterolCI cardiac indexCK-MB Creatinine Kinase, Muscle and BrainCKD chronic kidney diseasecm centimetreCMP Chondromalacia PatellaWatch CMP cardiomyopathyCNS central nervous systemC.O. cardiac outputc/o complaining ofCOLD chronic obstructive lung diseaseCont’d continuedCOPD chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCPAP Continuous Positive Airway PressureCPD cephalo-pelvic disproportionCPK creatine phosphokinaseCPR cardiopulmonary resuscitationCRRT continuous renal replacement therapyC&S culture and sensitivityC.S. Cesarean SectionCSF cerebral spinal fluidCSI continuous subcutaneous infusionCT Scan Computerized Axial TomographyCVA cerebrovascular accidentCVC central venous catheterCVP central venous pressureCx cervixCXR chest x-ray

“D”

DAT diet as toleratedDB&C deep breathing and coughingD&C dilatation and curettageDD delivery dayDDD degenerative disc disease

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DIC disseminated intravascular coagulationD.I.E died in Emergencydiff. DifferentialDIP Distal InterphalangealDJD degenerative joint diseaseDKA diabetic ketoacidosisDM Diabetes MellitusDMI Diabetes Mellitus Type IDMII Diabetes Mellitus Type IIDNR do not resuscitateDOA dead on arrivalDOB date of birthDOE dyspnea on exertionDP dorsalis pedisDr. doctorDR delivery roomdrsg dressingDTPA dyethylenetriamine pentascet (brain and renal scan)DTR deep tendon reflexesDTV due to voidDUB dysfunctional uterine bleedingDVT deep vein thrombosisDx diagnosis

“E”

EBV Epstein Barr virusECT electroconvulsive therapyECG/EKG electrocardiographECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenationECT electroconvulsive therapyEDB expected date of birthEDC expected date of confinementEDD estimated date of dischargeEDW estimated dry weightEDP end diastolic pressureEEG electroencephalogramEENT eye, ear, nose and throatEF ejection fractionEFM electronic fetal monitoringeg exampleEGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy

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ELOS expected length of stayEOM extraocular musclesENT ear, nose and throatER/ED Emergency Room/DepartmentERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogramESR erythrocyte sedimentation rateETOH ethanol (ethyl alcohol)ETT endotracheal tubeExc excisionExt extremity

“F”

FACH forceps to aftercoming headFBS fasting blood sugarFESS functional endoscopic sinus surgeryFeWB feather weight-bearingFEB1 forced exp volumeFFP fresh frozen plasmaFH fetal heartFHR fetal heart rateFHT fetal heart tonesFHx family historyFld(s) fluidsF1O2 fractional inspired oxygenFRI febrile respiration illnessFTSG full thickness skin graftF/U follow upFUB functional uterine bleedingFVC forced vital capacityFWB full weight bearingFx fracture

“G”

g gramGa-67 GalliumGA gestational ageGB gall bladderGBS Group B Streptococcus

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GC gonococcusGDM gestational diabetes mellitusGFR glomerular filtration rateGHA Glucoheptonate (brain scans)GI gastrointestinalGI Series gastrointestinal seriesGSW gunshot woundGTPAL gravida, term, premature, abortion, liveGTT glucose tolerance testGU genitourinaryGXT graded stress testGyn gynaecology

“H”

h hourHbA1C glycosylated hemoglobinHBIG hepatitis B Immune GlobulinHct haematocritHD hemodialysisHgb/Hb haemoglobinHIDA hepatobiliary imaging agentHIR head injury routineHIT heparin induced thrombocytopeniaHmPAO Exametazime (PAO brain WBCs)HOB head of bedHR heart ratehrs hourshs at bed timeht. heightHTN hypertensionHTO high tibial osteostomyHx history

“I”

I-131 radioactive iodineIABP intra-aortic balloon pumpIBW ideal body weightICP intracranial pressureI&D incision and drainage

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I&O intake and outputIDM infant of a diabetic motherIDDM insulin dependent diabetes mellitusIHD ischemic heart diseaseIID intermittent infusion deviceIM intramuscularIMV intermittent mandatory ventilationIn-111 IndiumINR International Normalized RatioIO intraosseousIOL intraocular lensIPPB intermittent positive pressure breathingIRQ inner range quadsISC infant servocontrolIUD intrauterine deviceIUGR intrauterine growth restrictionIUPC intrauterine pressure catheterIV intravenousIVC inferior vena cavaIVH Intraventricular HemorrhageIVIG intravenous immunoglobulinIVP intravenous pyelogram

“J”

J JoulesJVD jugular venous distentionJVP jugular vein pressure

“K”

kg KilogramKUB kidney, ureter, bladderKVO keep vein open

“L”

L litreLAD left anterior descending arteryLab. LaboratoryLat Laterallbs poundsLCx left circumflex artery

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LD lactic dehydrogenaseL/E lower extremityLGA large for gestational ageLLE left lower extremityLLL left lower lobeLLQ left lower quadrantLMP last menstrual periodLNMP last normal menstrual periodLOA left occipito anteriorLOC level of consciousnessLOP left occipito posteriorLP lumbar punctureLSA left sacro anteriorLUE left upper extremityLUL left upper lobeLUQ left upper quadrantLVEDP left ventricular end diastolic pressureLWBS left without being seenLymph lymphocyte

“M”

m meterMAA macroaggregated (human) albumin (venogram)MAP mean arterial pressureMGq mega becqueredmcg microgramsMCi millicuriesMCL midclavicular lineMCP metacarpophalangealMDI meter dose inhalerMDII multiple daily insulin injectionMDP methyline diphosphonate (bone imaging)mEq milli equivalentMI Myocardial InfarctionMIBI Sestamibi (cardiac perfusion agent)Mitte sendmg milligrammL millilitremm millimetermmol millimeter millimolemOsm milliosmoles

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MR mitral regurgitationMRP most responsible physicianMRSA methicillin resistant staphylococcusMSU midstream urineMSW Master of Social WorkMTO Metatarsal OsteotomyMVA motor vehicle accidentMVP mitral valve prolapse

“N”

N normalN/A not applicableNAD no abnormalities detectedNB note well/importantNCPAP nasal continuous positive airway pressureNCP nursing care planNeb nebulizerNeg negativeNG Tube nasogastric tubeNIDDM non insulin dependent diabetes mellitusNKA no known allergyNOS new onsetNPG nursing practice guidelineNPO nothing by mouthNRB non-rebreather maskNRP Neonatal Resuscitation ProgramNSR normal sinus rhythmNST non stress testNSTEMI non-ST elevated myocardial infarctionNWB no weight bearingNYD not yet diagnosed

“O”

OA osteoarthritisOBS obstetricsOD overdoseOR operative roomORIF open reduction internal fixationOT occupational therapyO2 sat oxygen saturation

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“P”

P pulseP-32 PhosphorusP/A posterior/anteriorPA pulmonary arteryPAC premature atrial contractionPAOD peripheral arterial occlusive diseasePap Papanicolaou (smear)PAP pulmonary artery pressurePAT paroxysmal atrial tachycardiapc after meals or foodPCA patient controlled analgesiaPCEA patient controlled epidural analgesiaPC02 partial pressure of carbon dioxidePCN penicillinPCWP pulmonary cardiac wedge pressurePE pulmonary embolismPEA pulseless electrical activityPEEP positive end expiratory pressurePERL pupils equal react to lightPFS Patellofemoral SyndromePFT pulmonary function testpH hydrogen ion concentration indicating alkaline-acid levelPhysio physiotherapyPICC peripherally inserted central catheterPID pelvic inflammatory diseasePIH pregnancy induced hypertensionPIP peek inspiratory pressurePIJ paroxysmal interphalangeal jointPKD polycystic kidney diseasePKU phenylketonuriaPM post mortempm afternoonPMH past medical historyPO orally or by mouthPOP Plaster of Parispost-op post operativePP post partumPPD purified protein derivativePph post partum hemorrhage

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PPV positive pressure ventilationPR per rectumpre-op pre-operativeprep. PreparationPRBC packed red blood cellsPRN when required/as neededPROM premature rupture of membranePPROM preterm premature rupture of membranePSM pansystolic murmurPSV pressure support ventilationpt patientPT physiotherapistPTT partial thromboplastin timePVC premature ventricular contractionPVD or PVOD peripheral vascular disease or peripheral venous occlusive diseasePVL periventricular leukomalaciaPWB partial weight-bearingPyp Pyrophosphate (myocardial imaging)

“Q"

q everyqam every morningQID four times dailyqs sufficient quantity

"R"

RA Factor rheumatoid arthritis factorRAS renal artery stenosisRCA right coronary arteryRD registered dieticianre regardingRehab rehabilitationResp/R respirationRLL right lower lobeRLE right lower extremityRLQ right lower quadrantR&M routine and microscopicRML right medio-lateralRN registered nurseR/O rule out

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ROA right occipito anteriorROM range of motionROP right occipito posteriorRMO requisition made outRPh Registered PharmacistRPN Registered Practical NurseRSA right sacro anteriorRRT Registered Respiratory TherapistRSI rapid sequence intubationRSV respiratory syncytial virusRTC return to clinicRUE right upper extremityRUL right upper lobeRUQ right upper quadrantRx treatment/prescription

“S”

SA sinoatrialSAH subarachnoid hemorrhageSat. saturatedSBGM self blood glucose monitoringSBO small bowel obstructionSC Sulphurcolloid (liver scan)Scope Sx Arthroscopic SurgerySEM systolic ejection murmurSG specific gravitySGA small for gestational ageSIMV synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilationSIRS systemic inflammatory response syndromeSLR straight leg raisesSMR submucous resectionSOB shortness of breathsol'n solutionSOM serous otitis medias/p status postSpec specimenSr-89 StrontiumSROM spontaneous rupture of membraneSS slip sentSSE soap suds enemaStaph staphylococcus

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STAT at onceSTEMI ST-elevated myocardial infarctionStrept streptococcusS/L sublingualsusp suspensionSVC superior vena cavaSVT supraventricular tachycardiaSx surgery

“T”

T or temp temperatureT&A tonsillectomy & adenoidectomytab. TabletTAH total abdominal hysterectomyTB tuberculosisTBA to be absorbedTc-99m TechnetiumTHA Total Hip ArthroplastyTHR target heart rateTIA transient ischemic attackTID three times dailyTKA Total Knee ArthroplastyTLC total lung capacityTM treadmillTO telephone orderTol well tolerated wellTPA tissue plasminogen activatorTPR temperature, pulse and respirationTSR Total Shoulder ArthroplastyTUR transurethral resectionTURP transurethralresection of prostateTV tidal volume

“U”

UA urinalysisUBW usual body weightuCi microcuriesU/E upper extremityUF ultrafiltration

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U/S ultrasoundUSA unstable anginaUTI urinary tract infectionUVL ultra violet light

“V”

VABC vaginal birth after cesaeranvag. vaginalVDRL syphilis screenVF ventricular fibrillationVMA Vanillylmandelic Acid (as related to urine specimen only)VO verbal orderV/Q ventilation-perfusionVS vital signs (pulse, respirations, blood pressure)VSA vital signs absentVT ventricular tachycardia

“W”

W/C wheelchairWBAT weight-bearing as toleratedWBC white blood countWCB Workers' Compensation BoardWDL within defined limitswt or w weight or weighsWNL within normal limits

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