Standardised terminology, abbreviations and symbols

Spell it out: Standardised terminology, abbreviations and symbols to be used when communicating about medicines

The use of potentially dangerous terminology, abbreviations and dose expressions when communicating about medicines, contributes significantly to medication errors. Standardisation has been identified as a key strategy in reducing these errors.

In 2008, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care proposed the use of a document prepared by NSWTAG as a national standard for terminology, abbreviations and symbols. This standard is used in the prescribing and administering of medicines in Australian hospitals. Health Ministers endorsed the document for release and implementation from January 2009.

The standards (PDF 94KB), which promote patient safety through clear and unambiguous communication of medicines information, include:

• principles for consistent prescribing terminology
• acceptable terms and abbreviations
• error-prone abbreviations, symbols and dose designations to be avoided.

Contact

Kerrie Westaway

Medication Safety

Telephone: (08) 8226 6169