In the fast-paced world of healthcare, medical professionals frequently use abbreviations and acronyms to streamline communication. These shorthand notations help in saving time and conveying critical information efficiently. However, decoding them can sometimes be like deciphering a secret code. In this blog, we'll unveil the meaning of various medical abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in hospitals, making it easier to understand your medical reports and the information provided by healthcare providers.
MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS FOR HOSPITALS
1min, 2h, 3/7, 4/52, 5/12, 6yr – 1 minute, 2 hours, 3 days, 4 weeks, 5 months, 6 years
111 – NHS111 – NHS helpline and website, especially when you need care today
999 – emergency care line (and way of requesting an ambulance)
1948 – when the NHS started – part of the dream of a compassionate post-war welfare state
# – broken bone (fracture)
A
AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm
A&E – accident and emergency
ABG – arterial blood gas
ABO – blood types
ACE – angiotensin converting enzyme.
ACS – acute coronary syndrome
ACP – advanced clinical practitioner (like PA)
ACR/PCR – albumin-protein/creatinine ratio
ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADL – activity of daily living
AE – adverse event
AF – atrial fibrillation
AFB – acid-fast bacilli
AIDS – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
alk phos – alkaline phosphatase
ALT/AST – alanine/aspartate transferase
AKA – above-knee amputation
AKI – acute kidney injury
AMHP – approved mental health professional
angio – angiogram/plasty +/ stent
ANP – advanced nurse practitioner (like CNS)
APD – automated peritoneal dialysis
APA/APS – anti-phospholipid antibody/syndrome
ARDS – acute respiratory distress syndrome
APTT – activated partial thromboplastin time (a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot)
ARB – angiotensin receptor blocker
ATN/D – acute tubular necrosis/damage
AVM – arteriovenous malformation
AVN – avascular necrosis (e.g. of femoral head)
AXR – abdominal x-ray
B
BC – blood culture
BCG – Bacille Calmette Guerin
BD – 2 times a day
bili – bilirubin
BKA – below-knee amputation
BMI – body mass index
BMT – bone marrow transplant
BNO – bowels not open
BNP – B-type natriuretic peptide
BO – bowels open
Bone – bone biochemistry
BP – blood pressure
BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia
BSO – bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy
Bx – biopsy
C
Ca – cancer
CABG – coronary artery bypass graft
CAE – clinical adverse event
CAP/HAP – community/hospital acquired pneumonia
cath lab – cardiac catheter laboratory
CCU – coronary care unit
C diff – clostridium difficile
CHF/CCF – chronic heart/congestive failure
Chol – cholesterol
CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
CK/CPK – creatine kinase/creatine phosphokinase
CKD – chronic kidney disease
CMHN – community mental health nurse
CMV – cytomegalovirus
CNS – central nervous system
CNS – clinical nurse specialist (like ANP)
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cons – consultant
CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure
CPN – community psychiatric nurse
CQC – Care Quality Commission (health and social care inspector)
Cr/Creat – creatinine
CRP – C reactive protein (similar to ESR)
CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
CSU – catheter specimen of urine
CT scan – computerised tomography scan
CTPA – CT pulmonary angiogram
CVA – cerebrovascular accident
CVP – central venous pressure
CVVHF – continuous veno-venous haemofiltration
CXR – chest x-ray
CYA – ciclosporin
D
D&C – dilatation and curettage
DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulation
dip – urinary dipstick
DHSC – Department of Health and Social Care (in UK government; also known as DoH, and ‘DH’)
DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis
DM – diabetes (DM1, DM2)
DMARD – disease-modulating antirheumatic drug
DN – district nurse
DNA – did not attend
DNA-CPR – do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
DNAR – do not attempt resuscitation
DNR – do not resuscitate
Dr – doctor
DR – diabetic retinopathy
DRE – digital rectal examination
DTs – delirium tremens
DVT – deep vein thrombosis
Dx/DDx – diagnosis/differential diagnosis
DXT – deep x-ray therapy
E
EBV – Epstein Barr Virus
ECG – electrocardiogram
ECHO – echocardiogram A test that uses sound waves to look at the heart
ECT – electroconvulsive therapy
ED/ER – emergency department/room
e-DS – e discharge summary
EEG – electroencephalogram
EMG – electromyography
EMSU – early morning sample urine
ENT – ear, nose and throat
EPO – erythropoeitin
ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (a type of blood test used to help diagnose conditions associated with inflammation)
ESRF/D – end-stage renal failure/disease
ETOH – alcohol
ETT – endotracheal tube
EUA – examination under anaesthetic
execs – they who should be obeyed
F
FBC – full blood count (a type of blood test)
FH – family history
FTND – full term normal delivery
FY1/FY2 – foundation year doctor 1/2 (or F1/2s = year 1 and 2; i.e. first two years after qualification)
G
G&S – group and save
GA – general anaesthetic
GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale
(e)GFR – (estimated) glomerular filtration rate
gluc – glucose
GORD – gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
GMC – General Medical Council (doctors’ regulator)
GN – glomerulonephritis
GP – general practitioner (or practice)
GTT – glucose tolerance test
GVHD – graft-versus-host disease
H
HAART – highly active antiretroviral therapy (f0r HIV/AIDS)
H/O – history of
Hb – haemoglobin (a substance in red blood cells that moves oxygen around the body)
HCA – healthcare assistant
HCO3 – bicarbonate (or ‘bicarb’)
HCSW – healthcare support worker
HD – haemodialysis
HDL – high-density lipoprotein (a type of cholesterol)
HDU – high dependency unit
Hep A, B, C, D, E – hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
HHS – hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (previously known as HONK)
HIV – human immunodeficiency virus
House – old phrase for change of JDs in August, Dec, April (as in ‘the new house’)
HPC – history of present complaint
HR – heart rate (beats/minute)
HPV – human papillomavirus
HSV – herpes simplex virus
HRT – hormone replacement therapy
Ht – height
HV – health visitor
HVS – high vaginal swab
Hx – history
hyper/hypo – above or high; below or low
I
ICB – integrated care board (local level financial administration, below NHS Region; 42 in England)
IBD – inflammatory bowel disease
ICD – implantable cardioverter defibrillator
ICH – intracranial haemorrhage
ICU – intensive care unit
ICP – intracranial pressure
ID – infectious disease
IHD – ischaemic heart disease
IM – intramuscular (injection into a muscle)
INR – international normalised ratio (a measure of how long blood takes to clot)
IP – inpatient
LRTI – lower respiratory tract infection
IU – international unit
IV – intravenous (injection directly to a vein)
IVDU – intravenous drug use
IVI – intravenous infusion
IVU/IVP – intravenous urogram/pyelogram (an X-ray of your urinary tract)
Ix – investigations
J
JD – junior doctor (we need a better phrase)
JVP – jugular venous pressure
K
K – potassium
KUB – kidneys/ureters/bladder
L
LA – local anaesthetic
LDL – low-density lipoprotein (a type of cholesterol)
LFT – liver function test (a type of blood test measuring enzymes and proteins in your liver)
LMP – last menstrual period
LOC – level of consciousness
LOS – length of stay
LP – lumbar puncture
LVH – left ventricular hypertrophy
M
Majors – part of A&E where people with major (more severe) illnesses are looked after
Max-fax – maxillofacial (oral) surgery
M,C&S – microscopy, culture and sensitivity
Med school – medical school (also to be obeyed)
meds – medicines
MB – microbiology
mcg – microgram
mg – milligram
MI – myocardial infarction
Minors – part of A&E where people with minor (less severe) illnesses are looked after
MIU – minor injury/illness unit
M&M – morbidity and mortality
mmHg – millimeters of mercury
MMR – measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)
M/R – modified release
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRCP – magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
MSE – mental state examination
MSU – mid-stream specimen of urine
N
NEB – nebulised
NEWS – national early warning score
N&V – nausea and vomiting
Na – sodium
NAD – no abnormality detected
NAI – non-accidental injury
NBM – nil by mouth
NG – nasogastric (running between your nose and stomach)
NHSE – NHS England (national level of NHS administration; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are own ‘NHSs’)
NHS Region – regional level of NHS administration (7 in England, between ICB and NHSE)
NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (guidelines)
NICU – neonatal intensive care unit
Nocte – every night
NoF – neck of femur
NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSTEMI – non ST elevation myocardial infarction
O
O&G – obstetrics and gynaecology (‘obs and gynae’, for short)
obs – observations
OC – oral contraceptive
OD – once a day
OD – overdose
ODP – operating department practitioner
O/E – on examination
OLT – orthoptic liver transplant
Op – operation
OP – outpatient
OPD – outpatient department
OSA – obstructive sleep apnoea
OT – occupational therapist
P
PA – physician associate (like ACP)
paeds – paediatrics
PAF – paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
P/C – presenting complaint
pcg – picogram
PCR – polymerase chain reaction
PCI – percutaneous coronary intervention (e.g. for a STEMI)
PD – peritoneal dialysis
PE – pulmonary embolus
PEG – percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PERLA – pupils equal, reactive to light and accommodation
PET – positron emission tomography
PFT – pulmonary function test
pH – potential hydrogen
PICU – paediatric intensive care unit
PO – orally / by mouth
PPI – proton pump inhibitor
PR – rectally
preop – preoperative
PRN – as required
physio – physiotherapist
PMH – past medical history
PNS – peripheral nervous system
postop – postoperative
POP – plaster of paris
PPE – personal protective equipment
PPM – permanent pacemaker
PSA – prostate specific antigen
PSH – past surgical history
Pt – patient
PTH – parathyroid hormone
PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder
PTT – partial thromboplastin time (a measure of how quickly your blood clots)
PU – passed urine
PU – peptic ulcer
PV – per vagina
PVD – peripheral vascular disease
Q
QDS – 4 times a day
R
RAT – rapid assessment (and) treatment (part of A&E)
RBBB/LBBB – right/left bundle branch block
RBG – random blood glucose
reg – registrar
resus – resuscitation (part of A&E where people with most severe illnesses are looked after)
RF – rheumatoid factor
Rh – rhesus factor
RHD – rheumatic heart disease
RLQ/RUQ/LLQ/LUQ – right lower/upper quadrant; left lower/upper quadrant
RN – registered nurse
RNLD – learning disability nurse
ROM – range of movement
ROSC – return of spontaneous circulation
RRT – renal replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplant)
RTA – road traffic accident
RVD/RAS – renovascular disease/renal artery stenosis
RVH – right ventricular hypertrophy
Rx – treatment
S
SAH – sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
SARS-CoV-2 – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19)
sats – 02 saturation
SC – subcutaneous (injection under the skin; ‘subcut’ for short)
SCBU – special care baby unit
SFL – serum free light chain
SH – social history
SHO – senior house officer (between F1/2 and registrar)
SL – sublingual
SLE – systemic lupus erythematosus (‘lupus’ for short)
SLR – straight leg raise
SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment plan (problem oriented medical record)
SOB – shortness of breath
SPE – serum electrophoresis
SR – systems review
S/R – sustained release
SSRI – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SLT/SALT – speech and language therapist
ST – specialty registrar
stat – immediately, with no delay, now
STD/I – sexually transmitted disease/infection
STEMI – ST elevation myocardial infarction
STM – short-term memory
strep – streptococcus
supp – suppository
SUI – serious untoward event
SVT – supraventricular tachycardia
SW – social worker
T
TAC – tacrolimus
T3 – triiodothyronine
T4 – thyroxine
TAH – total abdominal hysterectomy
TB – tuberculosis
TCI – to come in
TDS – 3 times a day
temp – temperature
TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TFT – thyroid function test
TG – triglyceride
‘the Trust’ – i.e. hospital. Avoid this phrase. YOU are the Trust
THR – total hip replacement
TIA – transient ischemic attack
TIPS – transvenous intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt
TKR – total knee replacement
TPN – total parenteral nutrition
TOP – termination of pregnancy
TPR – temperature, pulse and respiration
TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone
TTA – to take away (tablets)
TTO – to take out (tablets)
TURBT – transurethral resection of bladder tumour
TURP – transurethral resection of prostate gland
Tx – transplant (LURTx – living unrelated transplant; LRTx – living related transplant)
U
U – unit
UCO – under care of
U&E – urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine)
UCC – urgent care centre
Ur – urea
URTI – upper respiratory tract infection
US – ultrasound
UTA – unable to attend.
UTI – urinary tract infection
UTC – urgent treatment centre
V
V&P – vagotomy and pyloroplasty
VBG – venous blood gas
VF/VT – ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia
VLDL – very-low density lipoprotein (a type of cholesterol)
VZV – varicella zoster virus
VQ – ventilation perfusion (scan)
VTE – venous thromboembolism (a blood clot that forms in a vein)
W
WC – white count
W/C – wheelchair
WHO – World Health Organization (the boss bosses)
Wt – weight
Symbols
↑ Increasing/increased
↓ Decreasing/decreased
> Greater than
< Less than
≤ Less than or equal to
≥ Greater than or equal to
–ve Negative
+ve Positive
± Plus or minus
+ Plus
= Equal to
~ About/approximately.
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