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Medical abbreviation decoder
Paste a clinical note to decode its shorthand, or search 284 common abbreviations from charts, prescriptions, and referrals.
Decoded
Paste a note, or try the sample, to see each abbreviation spelled out.
Look up an abbreviation
284 abbreviations, A to Z
- 3d3 days
- A/PAssessment and plan
- A&Ox3Alert and oriented times three (person, place, time)
- A&Ox4Alert and oriented times four (person, place, time, event)
- A1CHemoglobin A1C (glycated hemoglobin)
- AAOAwake, alert, oriented
- ABGArterial blood gas
- ACBefore meals (ante cibum)
- ACLSAdvanced cardiac life support
- ACSAcute coronary syndrome
- ADHDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- ADLsActivities of daily living
- AFibAtrial fibrillation
- AfibAtrial fibrillation
- AKIAcute kidney injury
- AllergiesAllergies
- AMAAgainst medical advice
- AMSAltered mental status
- AmtAmount
- ApproxApproximately
- ARDSAcute respiratory distress syndrome
- ASAPAs soon as possible
- B/LBilateral
- BIDTwice daily (bis in die)
Plain language on patient forms
- Abbreviations are fine between providers, but keep them off patient forms, instructions, and consent documents.
- Write the plain words instead: “twice a day” instead of “BID,” “high blood pressure” instead of “HTN.”
- If you must use an abbreviation, spell it out the first time, like “hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c).”
- Many patients have limited health literacy, so clear words matter more than short ones.
- Test your forms with real patients and ask which terms were confusing.
Forms in plain words, done before the visit.
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