Reviewed and updated to reflect current dangerous abbreviations that may contribute to medication errors.

Medication error reports continue to provide evidence that explicit medication orders, those which exclude dangerous abbreviations and are carefully written or transmitted, can reduce medication errors.

This clinical reference card contains numerous dangerous abbreviations commonly used in geriatric care settings that have been adapted from the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (SMP) and The Joint Commission listings.

• Each dangerous abbreviation includes the Intended Meaning, Common Misinterpretation and Recommendation for Correction.
• Abbreviations are grouped in four categories - "Common" Abbreviations, Medications/Food Abbreviations, Symbols and Other
• Shaded areas highlight abbreviations, acronyms and /or symbols on The Joint Commission's  "Do Not Use"