Understanding Abbreviations Used in Health Care
As a patient, navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Between medical terminology and complex procedures, there’s a lot to keep track of. One important aspect of understanding healthcare is knowing the various abbreviations used in medical fields. Abbreviations are commonly used in healthcare for convenience and efficiency, but they might not always be easy to understand. In this article, we’ll dive into some common healthcare abbreviations and explain their meanings.
ADM
The abbreviation ADM stands for “admit.” When doctors and nurses use this abbreviation, they are referring to the process of admitting a patient into a medical facility for care.
BID
BID stands for “twice a day” and is a commonly used term in prescriptions. Medical professionals use this abbreviation to indicate the number of times a medication should be taken within 24 hours. Prescriptions that require medication to be taken twice a day will be labeled “BID.”
CXR
CXR is short for “chest x-ray.” This abbreviation is used to represent a type of medical imaging that is used to capture images of the chest. It’s commonly used to diagnose conditions such as pneumonia, lung cancer, and tuberculosis.
EKG
EKG stands for “electrocardiogram.” This is a type of medical test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors use EKGs to help diagnose heart conditions such as irregular heartbeats and chest pain.
PRN
PRN stands for “as needed.” When applied to medications, this abbreviation means that the medication should be taken only when necessary, rather than on a regular schedule. For instance, if a patient has contracted a migraine, they may be prescribed medication with the instruction to take it “PRN,” meaning they should only take it when they need it.
SAT
SAT stands for “saturation.” This abbreviation is used to describe the oxygen saturation levels within a patient’s blood. A normal blood oxygen saturation level should fall between 95% and 100%. If a patient has low blood oxygen saturation levels, they may need oxygen therapy to help increase these levels.
Conclusion
Understanding the abbreviations used in healthcare can make a huge difference in ensuring a patient’s experience. Patients who are familiar with healthcare abbreviations will be better equipped to communicate with their medical providers and will have a better understanding of their care. In this article, we covered just a few of the many abbreviations used in healthcare. By learning more about these and other abbreviations, patients can become more informed and confident healthcare consumers.
