abbreviations used in healthcare and pharmaceutical sector

admin HEALTHCARE August 12, 2018 | 1

This article contains some common and useful abbreviations used in healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.

we use these during day to day practice and in profession

some of these abbreviations we find on our prescription and body test reports. others used in pharma and healthacre industry.

Doctors and other health care professionals commonly use a list of abbreviations, acronyms, and other medical terminology as a reference to rapidly search and accurately record information about, and give instructions to their patients.

These abbreviations, acronyms, and medical terminology are used for many conditions and for instructions on medication prescribed by your doctor. we try to give a short list of common abbreviations you may have seen on a doctor’s prescription, a drug strip and bottle, lab or other test results, or in your doctor’s notes.

A.C.: Before meals. As in taking a medicine before meals.
a/g Ratio: Albumin to globulin ratio.
AADA: Abbreviated antibiotic drug application
ACA: Affordable Care Act
ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are one of the most common ligament injuries to the knee. The ACL can be sprained or completely torn from trauma and/or degeneration.
ACO: Accountable Care Organization
ADE: Adverse drug event
ADME: Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
Ad lib: At liberty. For example, a patient may be permitted to move out of bed freely and orders would, therefore, be for activities to be ad lib.
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADR: Adverse drug reaction. If a patient is taking a prescription drug to treat high blood pressure disease
AFR: Acute renal failure
AHU: Air Handling Unit
AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AKA: Above the knee amputation.
ANDA: Abbreviated new drug application
Anuric: Not producing urine. A person who is anuric is often critical and may require dialysis.
ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
AP: Applicants Part (of EDMF)
API: Active pharmaceutical ingredient
APR: Annual product review (APQR – Annual product quality review)
APTC: Advanced Premium Tax Credit
AQL: Acceptable quality level
AR: Analytical Reagent
ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A form of heart disease.
ASHRAE: American Society of heating, Refrgeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
ASM: Active Substance Manufacturer
ASMF: Active Substance Master File
AST: Accelerated stability testing
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
AV: Actuarial Value
BA/BE: Bioavailability/bioequivalence
BCS: Biopharmaceutical classification system
BET: Bacterial Endotoxin Test
BFS: Blow Fill Seal
BI: Biological Indicator
b.i.d.: Twice daily. As in taking a medicine twice daily.
BMR: Batch Manufacturing/Processing Record
BOD: Biological Oxygen Demand
bld: Blood. Blood was visible on the patient’s scalp.
Bandemia: Slang for elevated level of band forms of white blood cells.
Bibasilar: At the bases of both lungs. For example, someone with a pneumonia in both lungs might have abnormal bibasilar breath sounds.
BKA: Below the knee amputation.
BMP: Basic metabolic panel. Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride) and creatinine and glucose.
BOM: Bill of Materials
BOPP: Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene
BP: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the “vital signs.”
BP: British Pharmacopoeia
BPD: Borderline personality disorder. A personality disorder.
BPR: Batch Packaging Record
BRMS: Biologics Regulatory Management System
BSO: Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A BSO is the removal of both of the ovaries and adjacent Fallopian tubes and often is performed as part of a total abdominal hysterectomy.
BSE: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)
CAPA: Corrective and preventive action
C&S: Culture and sensitivity, performed to detect infection.
C/O: Complaint of. The patient’s expressed concern.
cap: Capsule.
Ca: Cancer; carcinoma. For example, a patient who undergoing treatment for cancer should assure that they are eating and drinking enough fluids daily, both during and after treatment.
CABG. Coronary artery bypass graft. A surgery involving the heart.
CAC: Certified Application Counselor
CAP: Consumer Assistance Program
CBC: Complete blood count.
CBE: Changes being effected
CBER: Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (FDA)
CC: Chief complaint. The patient’s main concern.
CCIIO: Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight
CCIT: Container closure integrity test
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDE: Complete dental (oral) evaluation.
CDER: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (FDA)
CDSCO: Central drug standard control organization (India)
cc: Cubic centimeters.
CEP: Certification of suitability of European Pharmacopoeia monographs
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
CFU: Colony Forming Unit
cGMP: Current Good Manufacturing Practices
CHC: Community Health Center
CHIP: Children’s Health Insurance Program
Chem panel: Chemistry panel. A comprehensive screening blood test that indicates the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolytes.
CIP: Clean in place
CMC: Chemistry, manufacturing and controls
CMS: Continuous monitoring system
CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
COA: Certificate of analysis
COB: Coordination of Benefits
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
CO-OP: Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan
COPP: Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products
COS: Certificate of suitability
CPP: Critical Process Parameter
CQA: Critical Quality Attribute
CSR: Cost-Sharing Reduction
CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
CT: Chemotherapy. A type of treatment therapy for cancer.
CTD: Common technical document
CVA: Cerebrovascular accident (Stroke).
D/C or DC: Discontinue or discharge. For example, a doctor will D/C a drug. Alternatively, the doctor might DC a patient from the hospital.
DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. A type of breast cancer. The patient is receiving treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.
DDX: Differential diagnosis. A variety diagnostic possibilities are being considered to diagnose the type of cancer present in the patient.
DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
DM: Diabetes mellitus.
DME: Durable Medical Equipment
DMF: Drug master file
DNC, D&C, or D and C: Dilation and curettage. Widening the cervix and scrapping with a curette for the purpose of removing tissue lining the inner surface of the womb (uterus).
DNR: Do not resuscitate. This is a specific order not to revive a patient artificially if they succumb to illness. If a patient is given a DNR order, they are not resuscitated if they are near death and no code blue is called.
DOE: Dyspnea on exertion. Shortness of breath with activity.
DOP: Dioctyl Phthalate
DQ: Design Qualification
DTR: Deep tendon reflexes. These are reflexes that the doctor tests by banging on the tendons with a rubber hammer.
DVT: Deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in large vein).
ETOH: Alcohol. ETOH intake history is often recorded as part of a patient history.
ECT: Electro conclusive therapy. A procedure used to control seizures (convulsions).
ECP: Essential Community Provider
EDMF: European drug master file
EDQM: European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines
EH&S: Environmental health and safety
EHB: Essential Health Benefit
EIR: establishment inspection report (FDA)
EMEA: European Medicines Agency (formerly European Medicines Evaluation Agency)
EMR: Electronic Medical Record
EOB: Explanation of Benefits
EP: European Pharmacopoeia
EPO: Exclusive Provider Organization
EPS: Expanded polystyrene
EPSDT: Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic & Treatment Services
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act
ESI: Employer-sponsored Insurance
ETP: Effluent Treatment Plant
EU: Endotoxin unit
EU: European Union
FAT: Factory Acceptance Testing
FBD: Fluid-bed dryer
FDA: Food and Drug Administration, United States
FDC: Fixed Dose Combination
FEFO: First expiry first out
FFM/FFE: Federally Facilitated Market place/ Federally Facilitated Exchange
FFS: Fee-for-service
FG: Finished Goods
FIFO: First in first out
FOI: Freedom of information
FMEA: Failure modes and effect analysis
FPL: Federal Poverty Level
FQHC: Federally Qualified Health Center
FSA: Flexible Spending Account
FX: Fracture.
gm: gram, a unit of weight. cream is available in both 30 and 60 gram tubes.
GAMP: Good automated manufacturing practice
GC: Gas Chromatography
GCLP: Good clinical laboratory practice
GCP: Good clinical practice
GDP: Good distribution practice
GEP: Good engineering practice
GGP: good guidance practice
GIT: Gastrointestinal Tract
GLP: Good laboratory practice
GMO: Genetically modified organism
GMP: Good manufacturing practice
GPT: Growth Promotion Test
GRAS/E: Generally recognized as safe and effective
GRP: Good review practice
gtt: Drops
HACCP: Hazard analysis critical control point
HDPE: High Density Polyethylene
HEPA: High efficiency particulate air (filter)
HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography
H&H: Hemoglobin and hematocrit. When the H & H is low, anemia is present. The H&H can be elevated in persons who have lung disease from long term smoking or from disease, such as polycythemia rubra vera.
H&P: History and physical examination.
h.s.: At bedtime. As in taking a medicine at bedtime.
H/O or h/o: History of. A past event that occurred.
HA: Headache.
HCR: Health Care Reform
HCBS: Home and Community-Based Services
HDHP: High Deductible Health Plan
HHS: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIM/HIX: Health Insurance Marketplace/ Health Insurance Exchange
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
HRP: High Risk Pool
HRSA: Health Resources and Services Administration
HSA: Health Savings Account
HSA: Health Sciences Authority
HRT: Hormone replacement
HTN: Hypertension.
HVAC: Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
I&D: Incision and drainage.
IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
ICAH: International Conference on Harmonisation
ICD: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
ICU: Intensive care unit. The patient was moved to the intensive care unit.
IH: In house
IM: Intramuscular.
IMP: Impression. This is the summary conclusion of the patient’s condition by the healthcare professional at that particular date and time.
IND: Investigational new drug
INDA: Investigational new drug application
IP: Indian Pharmacopeia
IPA: Isopropyl Alcohol
IPA: In-Person Assisters Program
IPS: In process control
IQ: Installation qualification
IR: Immediate release
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
ISPE: International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering
ITU: Intensive therapy unit
in vitro: In the laboratory
in vivo: In the body
IPF: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A type of lung disease.
IU: International units
IV: Intravenous
JT: Joint
JP: Japanese Pharmacopoeia
K: Potassium. An essential electrolyte frequently monitored regularly in intensive care.
KCL: Potassium chloride
KOS: Knowledge organization system
LAF: Laminar air flow
LAL: Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate
LBP: Low back pain. LBP is one of most common medical complaints.
LCIS: Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. A type of cancer of the breast. The patient is receiving treatment for Lobular Carcinoma In Situ.
LD: Lethal dose
LD50: Lethal dose where 50% of the animal population die
LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene
LIMS: Laboratory Information Management System
LIR: Laboratory Investigation Report
LLQ: Left lower quadrant. Diverticulitis pain is often in the LLQ of the abdomen.
LOD: Loss on drying
LOD: Limit of detection
LOQ: Limit of quantification
LR: Laboratory Reagent
LTC: Long Term Care
LUQ: Left upper quadrant. The spleen is located in the LUQ of the abdomen.
LVPs: Large Volume Parentals
Lytes: Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and chloride
MAGI: Modified Adjusted Gross Income
MA: Marketing Authorisation
MA: Medicare Advantage
MAA: Marketing Authorisation Application
MAC: Maximum Allowable Carryover
MCL: Medial collateral ligament.
MCC: Medicines control council (South Africa)
MDD: Maximum daily dose
MFR: Master Formula Record
MEDSAFE: Medicines and medicinal devices safety authority (New Zealand)
mg: Milligrams.
MHRA: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK)
M/H: Medical history
ml: Milliliters.
MLR: Medical Loss Ratio
MOA: Method Of Analysis
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets
MVP: Mitral valve prolapse
N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
Na: Sodium. An essential electrolyte frequently monitored regularly in intensive care.
NCE: New chemical entity
NCP: Nursing care plan
NDA: New Drug Application
NF: National Formulary
NIR: Near Infra Red Spectroscopy
NON: Notice of non-compliance (Canada)
npo: Nothing by mouth. For example, if a patient was about to undergo a surgical operation requiring general anesthesia, they may be required to avoid food or beverage prior to the procedure.
NSR: Normal sinus rhythm of the heart
O&P: Ova and parasites. Stool O & P is tested in the laboratory to detect parasitic infection in persons with chronic diarrhea.
O.D.: Right eye
ODI: Orally Disintegrating Tablet
O.S.: Left eye
O.U.: Both eyes
OOS: Out of specification
OOT: Out of trend
OQ: Operation Qualification
OSD: Oral Solid Dosage
OSHA: Occupational Safety And Health Administration
OTC: Over-the-counter
ORIF: Open reduction and internal fixation, such as with the orthopedic repair of a hip fracture.
P: Pulse. Pulse is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the “vital signs.”
PAC: Post-approval changes
PAO: Poly alpha olefin
PAT: Process Analytical technology
PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Manager
p¯: After meals. As in take two tablets after meals.
p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
p.r.n.: As needed. So that it is not always done, but done only when the situation calls for it (or example, taking a pain medication only when having pain and not without pain).
PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament.
PD: Progressive disease. Patients at risk of developing progressive disease of the kidneys include those with proteinuria or hematuria.
PET: Preservative efficacy test
PIC/S: Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme
PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
PFT: Pulmonary function test. A test to evaluate the how well the lungs are functioning.
PERRLA: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
PLC: Programmable Logic Control
Plt: Platelets, one of the blood forming elements along with the white and red blood cells.
PMI: Point of maximum impulse of the heart when felt during examination, as in beats against the chest.
PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
PQ: Performance Qualification
PT: Physical therapy
PTH: Parathyroid hormone
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress syndrome
PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
PVDC: Polyvinylidene Chloride
PUD: Peptic ulcer disease. A type of ulcer of the stomach.
PW: Purified Water
q.d.: Each day. As in taking a medicine daily.
q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
q2h: Every 2 hours. As in taking a medicine every 2 hours.
q3h: Every 3 hours. As in taking a medicine every 3 hours.
qAM: Each morning. As in taking a medicine each morning.
qhs: At each bedtime. As in taking a medicine each bedtime.
qod: Every other day. As in taking a medicine every other day.
qPM: Each evening. As in taking a medicine each evening.
QA : Quality Assurance
QC: Quality Control
QbD: Quality by design
QM: Quality Manual
QSD: Quality System Dossier
QSM : Quality System Management
QMS: Quality Management System
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis.type of joint disease.
RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome
R/O: Rule out. Doctors frequently will rule out various possible diagnoses when figuring out the correct diagnosis.
REB: Rebound, as in rebound tenderness of the abdomen when pushed in and then released.
RH: Relative humidity
RLAF: Reverse laminar air flow
RLD: Reference listed drug
RLQ: Right lower quadrant. The appendix is located in the RLQ of the abdomen.
RM: Raw material
RO: Reverse Osmosis
ROS: Review of systems. An overall review concerns relating to the organ systems, such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems.
ROPP: Roll On Pilfer Proof
RS: Related Substance
RUQ: Right upper quadrant. The liver is located in the RUQ of the abdomen.
s/p: Status post. For example, a person who had a knee operation would be s/p a knee operation.
SAD: Season affective disorder. A type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is little light.
SAL: Sterility Assurance Level
SAT: Site Acceptance Testing
SBC: Summary of Benefits and Coverage
SBM/SBE: State Based Marketplace/State Based Exchange
SDN: Screening Deficiency Notice (Canada)
SEP: Special Enrollment Period
SHOP: Small Business Health Options Program
SIP: Sterilization in place/Steam in place
SLS: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
SMF: Site master file
SNF: Skilled Nursing Facility
SOB: Shortness of breath.
SOP: Standard operating procedure
SPE: Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering
SPM/SPE: State Partnership Marketplace/ State Partnership Exchange
SPP: Specialty Pharmacy Provider
SSDI: Social Security Disability Income
SSI: Supplemental Security Income
SQ: Subcutaneous. This is a typical notation when noting or ordering an injection (shot) given into the fatty tissue under the skin, such as with insulin for diabetes mellitus.
SUPAC: Scale-up and post approval changes
SVP: Small Volume Parental
T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the “vital signs.”
T&A: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
t.i.d.: Three times daily. As in taking a medicine three times daily.
tab: Tablet
TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy
TAH: Total abdominal hysterectomy. A type of surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
TC: Thermo couple
TDS: Total Dissolved Solids
TGA: Therapeutics goods administration (Australia)
THR: Total hip replacement
TKR: Total knee replacement
TMJ: Tempo mandibular joint
TOC: Total organic carbon
TSE: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
TPA: Third Party Administrator
UA or u/a: Urinalysis. A Urinalysis is a typical part of a comprehensive physical examination.
U or u**: Unit. Mistaken as the number 0 or 4, causing a 10-fold overdose or greater (for example, 4U seen as “40” or 4u seen as “44”); mistaken as “cc” so the dose is given in volume instead of units (for example, 4u seen as 4cc).
UCR: Usual, Customary and Reasonable Charges
ULN: Upper limits of normal
USFDA: United states foods and drugs administration
USP: United States Pharmacopoeia
USP-NF: United States Pharmacopoeia-National Formulary
URI: Upper respiratory infection, such as sinusitis or the common cold
URS: User Requirement Specification
ut dict: As directed. As in taking a medicine according to the instructions that the health care professional gave in the office or in the past
UTI: Urinary tract infection
VAI: Voluntary action indicated
VMP: Validation Master Plan
VSS: Vital signs are stable. This notation means that from the standpoint of the temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, the patient is doing well
WFI: Water for injection
WHO: World Health Organisation
WL: Warning letter
Wt: Weight. Body weight is often recorded as part of the physical examinatio
XRT: Radiotherapy (external). A type of treatment that uses radiation.

This article give some detail about the abbreviations and other short forms which is used in pharma and healthacre industry.we hope this article helps you in your daily life.

if you like this article or have any query please comment or subscribe to us

you can write a mail to us

pharmahelpblog@gmail.com

you can like our Facebook page

pharmahelp.in

Area Sales Manager BODY SYSTEM deputy general manager marketing manager Medical Representative PRODUCT MANAGER regional sales manger zonal sales manger

One Response

Rajeev goyal says:

November 27, 2018 at 11:13 am

It is really a nice blog. Very informative and helpful for pharma people. Thanks for sharing and guiding

Reply

abbreviations used in healthcare and pharmaceutical sector