Prevent Confusion Caused by Med Name Abbreviations

Med name abbreviations will continue to cause serious errors.

In a recent case, "tPA" for alteplase was mistaken for "TPN" for parenteral nutrition. This led to a dangerous delay in administering a STAT dose of alteplase to a stroke patient.

In another case, a prescriber asked for "10 of vec" to be administered. The patient got Tenivac (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids) instead of the intended paralyzing agent, vecuronium 10 mg.