Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
 Modules  Module 6: Communication and Information Transfer
1. Introduction to Course
2. History of Patient Safety
3. The Science of Human Error
4. The Analysis of Medical Error
5. Evidence-Based Medical Practice
6. Communication and Information Transfer
7. Adverse Patient Outcomes
8. The Role of the Patient and Family
9. Environmental Safety in the Medical Setting
10. Safe Medical Practice In Ambulatory Settings

UH Do Not Use Abbreviations

Unacceptable Expression Intended Meaning Misinterpretation Correction
Zero after decimal point (1.0) 1 mg Misread as 10 mg if the decimal point is not seen Do not use terminal zeros for doses expressed in whole numbers
No zero before decimal dose (.5mg) 0.5 mg Misread as 5 mg Always use zero before a decimal when the dose is less than a whole unit
ìg Microgram Mistaken for “mg" when handwritten Use “mcg” or write out “microgram”
U Unit Mistaken as zero, four or cc Write “unit”
IU International Unit Mistaken as IV (intravenous) or 10 (ten) Write "International unit” or “int. unit”
MS
MSO4
MgSO4		 Morphine Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate Confused for one another - Can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate Write “morphine sulfate” or “magnesium sulfate”
 
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