ABBREVIATIONS


                                                      
Question: Does The Joint Commission (TJC) require an approved abbreviation list?

Response: No, it does not require an approved abbreviations list.

However, it does have a requirement that the hospital uses uniform data sets to standardize data collection throughout the hospital. This will establish acceptable abbreviations. 

TJC has an expectation that there are policies that address the use of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations approved for use in the hospital. This is in addition to those that are prohibited from being used (the Do Not Use list). The requirement is found in standard IM.02.02.01: The hospital effectively manages the collection of health information. How the hospital accomplishes this is up to the organization.

This is discussed in a TJC FAQ on the topic, last revised in November 2008.

                Q: Is a list of acceptable abbreviations required?

                A. Any reasonable approach to standardizing abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols is acceptable. Examples include:
                    • Standardized abbreviations developed by the individual organization.
                    • Use of a published reference source. However, if multiple abbreviations, symbols or acronyms are used for the same term, the organization identifies what will be used to eliminate any ambiguity.
                    • A decision that individuals who work in the organization may use any abbreviation, acronym, or symbol that is not on the list of unacceptable abbreviations. However, if multiple abbreviations, symbols, or acronyms exist for the same term, the organization identifies what will be used to eliminate ambiguity.

The survey process will evaluate how the hospital’s policy is being implemented.

TJC’s April 21, 2010 Online states that the following language that was in the 2009 standards at IM.02.02.01, EP 2, will be reintroduced into the standards effective July 2010: “The organization uses standardized terminology, definitions, abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations.” It then refers to the FAQ on the topic, which is the one addressed above.

Note that the wrong standard is referred to in Online, IM.02.01.01 instead of IM.02.02.01. In addition, if it goes back into IM.02.02.01, where it was originally, Online does not state what will happen with the language about the Do Not Use abbreviations. Hopefully they will correct this. But the key point is that the language regarding “standardized” abbreviations is coming back this July.