Stay Alert for Confusing Abbreviations

Abbreviations may save time now...but can end up costing later.

Any time saved by using medical abbreviations is often lost when those abbreviations need clarification. And errors can lead to even more time lost...and pose real risks to patient safety.

In a reported case, the abbreviation “CAB” was used to order cabotegravir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). But the patient got Cabenuva instead...which is for active HIV infection, NOT prevention.