Don't Mistake the Abbreviation "Q6pm" for "Every 6 Hours as Needed"

August 2016

Two near misses will put the spotlight on avoiding errors with dangerous abbreviations.

In the first case, "B-L-D" was misread as "twice daily"...but the prescriber meant "with breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

In the second, "QM" was misinterpreted as "every day"...instead of "every month."

Get concise advice on drug therapy, plus unlimited access to CE

Pharmacist's Letter Canada includes:

12 issues every year, with brief articles about new meds and hot topics
200+ CE courses, including the popular CE-in-the-Letter
Quick reference drug comparison charts
Access to the entire archive

Subscribe Today!

Already a subscriber? Log in

Volume pricing available. Get quote

Table of Contents

Practice Make the Most of What a Licensed Technician Can Do
Naloxone Use These Tips On How to Offer Patients Naloxone Rescue Therapy
Diabetes Consider Cardiovascular Disease When Recommending Metformin Add-Ons
Diabetes Recommend Monitoring Kidney Function in Patients Starting an SGLT2 Inhibitor
Antidepressants Recommend Monitoring Blood Pressure With the New Antidepressant Fetzima
Women's Health Be Familiar With Alternatives to Lyrica in Pregnant Women
Adverse Events Avoid Hydroxyzine in Patients at High Risk of QT Prolongation
Epilepsy Consider Brivaracetam (Brivlera) As An Alternative To Levetiracetam
MRSA Help Patients Understand What Really Works to Prevent Spreading MRSA
Parkinson's Disease Suggest Reducing Parkinson's Meds that Might be Contributing to Psychosis
Gastroenterology Recommend Antacids WithOUT Aspirin for Patients at Risk for GI Bleeding
Medication Errors Don't Mistake the Abbreviation "Q6pm" for "Every 6 Hours as Needed"
OTC Products Tell Patients Denatured Alcohol is NOT for Medical Use