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JCAHO seeks input on abbreviations

Accreditation Connection, February 4, 2005

The JCAHO invites healthcare organizations to complete an online survey about medical abbreviations in its quest to reduce medical errors caused by them.

The survey questions represent conclusions from the National Summit on Medical Abbreviations held in November 2004. They focus on the appropriateness of a universal list of prohibited abbreviations, acronyms and symbols, possible exemptions, and strategies.

About 30 minutes are needed to complete the survey, and it's due March 1.

The survey also has been distributed for comment to healthcare professionals, providers, consumers, and other stakeholders, according to a JCAHO press release.

Representatives from more than 50 professional societies, associations and interest groups participated in the summit, held in November 2004 by the JCAHO and co-convened by the American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Dental Association, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and United States Pharmacopeia.

Some of the questions on the survey include:

• Should there be a "universal list" of prohibited abbreviations/acronyms/symbols?
• How extensive should a "do not use" list be?
• Should the Joint Commission maintain its current policy to require health care organizations to identify an additional three abbreviations, of their own choosing, that may not be used?
• Should a standardized national list of acceptable abbreviations/acronyms/symbols be created?
• To which categories of documentation should the prohibitions apply?
• What is a "reasonable" level of compliance?

To take the survey, visit http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/field_reviews.htm

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