2. Whiteboard order:
o Invoice/PVL Line Item: Butorphanol (10mg/
ml)
o Blue Line Entry: 0.2mg/kg – 2mg – 0.2ml IV
Example:
Abbreviations
There are some specific abbreviations that have
been frequently mistaken and caused medical
errors. Symbols or abbreviations should not be used
in any form of communication, including writing
and/or EMR prescriptive orders. Some examples of
abbreviations that should not be written as an order are:
1. Dex. 1 ml IV: Is this dextrose, dexamethasone or
dexdomitor?
2. SD: is this Science Diet or Hills SD?
Besides administering the medication, nurses play
specific roles in medication error prevention:
3. AU: is this abdominal ultrasound or both ears?
1. Nurses are the “double check” system to make
sure the drug, concentration, dose and quantity are correct.
4. OD: is this once daily or right eye?
2. They must ensure that they themselves do not
make an error.
IV.
A. Route of administration should always be
included in the handwritten or whiteboard
order.
3. Nurses are instructed to alert Doctors each time
an incomplete or “unusual” drug order is
placed so that it can be checked and corrected, if needed, prior to administration.
B. Double check route of administration on
the medication bottle/vial.
4. If any incomplete orders slip through the
crack 2