Module 1 Unit 6 Page 1

Module 1: Introductory Concepts

Unit 6: Do Not Use List of Abbreviations

Some abbreviations related to drug administration, especially when used in physician orders and in medication documentation, have been shown to be error-prone and dangerous.

Beginning in 2004, The Joint Commission requires that the following items MUST BE INCLUDED on every accredited organization's "Do Not Use" list.

Do Not Use	Potential Problem	Use Instead
U, u (unit)	Mistaken for "0" (zero), the number "4" (four) or "cc"	Write "unit"
IU (International Unit)	Mistaken as IV (intravenous) or the number 10 (ten)	Write "International Unit"
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily) Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., qod (every other day)	Mistaken for each other Period after the Q mistaken for "I" and the "O" mistaken for "I"	Write "daily" and "every other day"
Trailing zero (X.0 mg) Lack of leading zero (.Xmg)	Decimal point is missed	Never write a zero by itself after a decimal point (X mg) and always use a zero before a decimal point (0.Xmg)
MS MSO₄ MgSO₄	Can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate Confused for one another	Write "morphine sulfate" Write "magnesium sulfate"

Page 1 of 4

Pharmacology III Footer