When are abbreviations acceptable in medicine?

Answer by  patti (29325)

Medical terminology, which is based on Latin, is all about abbreviations. It is universal, so it helps avoid confusion. E. g. , instead of a physician writing a prescription for a medication to be taken twice daily or twice a day or two times in a day, the abbreviated form, which is understood by all medical professionals, is "bid. "

Answer by  worker259794 (46)

When they are the JCAHO approved medical abbreviations. These are the only abbreviations that are to be used in medicine. Such as qid, bid, tid, those are abbreviations for four times, twice and three times a day.

Answer by  worker1632 (19)

A standarized set of abbreviations are used to refer medical orders and diagnoses. Many abbreviations have Latin roots which used to save time and space, and to protect patient's privacy. Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Pharmacy assistants, Medical technologists, Paramedics, and all other health care providers must be knowledgeable about these abbreviations.

Answer by  eaglover (394)

They are normally used to save time and to protect patient privacy. In the past few years they've become frowned upon. Many hospitals do have approved abbreviation lists to prevent errors from physician orders. There is also an approved list by the Joint Commision on Accreditation which is highly preferred.