The Joint Commission - Do Not Use List

U or u – Unit

Per TJC, U can easily be misread as 0, i.e. 4U �� 40 (risk of tenfold dosing errors)

Write “unit” instead.

IU - International unit

Write “international unit” instead.

Q.D., QD, q.d., or qd

Daily or once daily

Write “daily” instead.

Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., or qod

Every other day

Write “every other day” instead.

Trailing Zeroes After Decimals (X.O)

Write X instead of X.0.

Reason: The decimal point can be missed, causing a tenfold dosing error.

Right: 4 mg

Wrong: 4.0 mg

Lack of Leading Zeroes Before Decimals (.X)

Write 0.X instead of .X.

Reason: The decimal point can be missed without a zero in front of it, causing a tenfold

dosing error.

Right: 0.4 mg

Wrong: .4 mg

MS, MSO4, and MgSO4

morphine sulphate and magnesium sulfate

Write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate” instead.

Trailing Zeroes (X.0)

Write X instead of X.0

Right: 4 mg Wrong: 4.0 mg

µg:

Symbol for microgram

Write “mcg” or “microgram” instead.

SC, SQ, sub Q:

Subcutaneous

Write “subcutaneous” instead.

D/C:

Discharge or discontinue (two distinct meanings)

Write “discharge” or “discontinue” instead.

cc:

cubic centimeter, equivalent to 1 mL

Write “mL” or “milliliter” instead.