• How can eliminating abbreviations reduce errors? Using abbreviations shortens the length of many words and thus actually helps healthcare professionals save time writing notes. However, abbreviations do not always make a positive contribution due to misconceptions, misunderstandings and misinterpretations leading to errors in practice. Similarities in abbreviations, for example, could cause a serious error. For example, the qd that a scriber would like to indicate as every day could be misinterpreted as qid which means four times a day. Such an error could lead to an overdose when a certain medication is taken four times a day instead of once. Although some abbreviations can be easily understood clearly and accurately as to the meaning they communicate, their use generally carries the risk of error, particularly error-prone abbreviations (ISMP, 2007), which are best avoided. avoid by eliminating abbreviations. • Should written policies be developed for the use of abbreviations? If so, what should the policies contain? Despite the errors that can potentially be generated by the use of abbreviations, the use of these abbreviated forms of recording certain words and medical orders is part of the practice and has not been eradicated. It would therefore be in everyone's interest to be well guided by written policies on the use of abbreviations. Standard policies on the use of abbreviations have been developed by organizations such as the Joint Commission (ISMP, 2007). The JCAHO also worked to reach out to health care professionals and organizations to help them eliminate errors due to the use of abbreviations (AARC, 2005). Org... middle of article......knowledge about abbreviations not only by medical professionals but also by those who are keenly interested in learning certain forms of written language used in the medical field . AARC References. (2005). JCAHO seeks your advice on medical abbreviations. Retrieved January 4, 2009 from http://www.aarc.org/headlines/medical_abbreviations.aspISMP. (2001). In the long term, calligraphy courses for doctors will not contribute much to patient safety. Retrieved January 4, 2009 from http://www.ismp.org/Newsletters/acutecare/articles/20010110.asp?ptr=yISMP. (2007). ISMP list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations. Retrieved January 4, 2009, from http://www.ismp.org/tools/errorproneabbreviations.pdfThe Joint Commission. (2009). “Do not use” list. Retrieved January 4, 2009, from http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/DoNotUseList/