UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| SAMPLE | Patient assessment
|
| SA | Sinoatrial |
| SAD | Supraglottic Airway Device |
| SAH | Sub-Arachnoid Haemorrhage |
| SB | Sinus Bradycardia |
| SC(I) | Subcutaneous (Injection) |
| SCGH | Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital |
| SCI | Spinal Cord Injury |
| sec | Second(s)/Secondary |
| SG | Specific Gravity |
| SGA | Supraglottic Airway |
| SIADH | Syndrome Of Inappropriate ADH Secretion |
| SIDS | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome |
| SIMV | Synchronous Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation |
| SL | Sublingual |
| SNRI | Serotonin And Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor |
| SOB | Shortness Of Breath |
| SOBOE | Shortness Of Breath On Exertion |
| soln | Solution |
| solv | Solvent |
| SpO2 | Oxygen Saturation |
| SSRI | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| SSS | Sick Sinus Syndrome |
| ST | Sinus Tachycardia |
| stat | Immediately |
| STD | Sexually Transmitted Disease |
| SLUDGE-BBB | List of symptoms exhibited by patients experiencing organophosphate toxicity (or other cholinergic crises)
|
| SOC | State Operations Centre |
| STEMI | ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction |
| Sub-Q, SubQ, subcut | Subcutaneous |
| suppos | Suppository |
| susp | Suspension |
| SV | Stroke Volume |
| SVT | Supraventricular Tachycardia |
| Sx | Signs/Symptoms |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| T½ | Half-Life |
| tab | Tablet |
| TB | Tuberculosis |
| TBI | Traumatic Brain Injury |
| TBSA | Total Burn Surface Area |
| TCA | Tricyclic Antidepressant |
| TCP | Transcutaneous Pacing |
| Tdap | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis |
| TdP | Torsades De Pointes |
| temp | Temperature |
| TIA | Transient Ischaemic Attack |
| TID | Three times a day |
| TKO | To Keep Open |
| TKVO | To Keen Vein Open |
| TPN | Total Parenteral Nutrition |
| TPTx | Tension Pneumothorax |
| TSH | Thyroid Stimulating Hormone |
| Tx | Treatment |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| u | Unit |
| UA | Unstable Angina; Urinalysis |
| URTI | Upper Respiratory Tract Infection |
| UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| VAO | Volunteer Ambulance Officer |
| VD | Venereal Disease |
| VDH | Valvular Disease of the Heart |
| VEB | Ventricular Ectopic Beat |
| VF | Ventricular Fibrillation |
| vit | Vitamin |
| VLDL | Very Low Density Lipoprotein |
| vol | Volume |
| vs | Versus |
| VSD | Ventricular Septal Defect |
| VSS | Vital Signs Survey |
| VT | Ventricular Tachycardia |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| # | Fracture |
| +ve | Positive |
| -ve | Negative |
| < | Less Than |
| > | Greater Than |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to |
| °C | Degrees Centigrade |
| °F | Degrees Fahrenheit |
| 1/12 | One Month |
| 1/24 | One Hour |
| 1/52 | One Week |
| 1/60 | One Minute |
| 1/7 | One Day |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| AAA | Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm |
| ABG | Arterial Blood Gas |
| ACD | Advanced Care Directive |
| ACE | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme |
| ACLS | Advanced Care Life Support |
| ACS | Acute Coronary Syndrome |
| ADH | Antidiuretic Hormone |
| ADHD | Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder |
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| admin | Administer/Administration |
| AED | Automatic External Defibrillator |
| AF, Afib | Atrial Fibrillation |
| AFlut | Atrial Flutter |
| AICD | Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator |
| AIDS | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome |
| AIVR | Accelerated Ldioventricular Rhythm |
| ALOC | Altered Level Of Consciousness |
| ALS | Advanced Life Support |
| AM | Morning (Note: AM/PM should be avoided; Use 24-hour time instead) |
| AMA | Against Medical Advice |
| AMI | Acute Myocardial Infarction |
| amp | Ampoule |
| AP | Ambulance Paramedic |
| APH | Antepartum Haemorrhage |
| APO | Acute Pulmonary Oedema |
| APPT | Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time |
| APTT | Activated Partial Prothrombin Time |
| ARC | AIDS-Related Complex |
| ARDS | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome |
| ART | Arterial Line |
| ASD | Atrial Septal Defect |
| assoc | Associated |
| ATLS | Advanced Trauma Life Support |
| AV | Atrioventricular |
| AVNRT | AV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| BGL | Blood Glucose Level |
| bid | Twice a day |
| BiPAP | Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure |
| BLS | Basic Life Support |
| BM, bm | Bowel Movement |
| BMI | Body Mass Index |
| BMR | Basal Metabolic Rate |
| BNP | Brain Natriuretic Peptide |
| BP | Blood Pressure |
| BPH | Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy |
| BPM | Beats Per Minute |
| BSA | Body Surface Area |
| BSL | Blood Sugar Level |
| BVM | Bag Valve Mask |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| C(A)T | Computerised (Axial) Tomography |
| C/o | Complaining Of |
| Ca | Calcium, Cancer, Carcinoma |
| CABG | Coronary Artery Bypass Graft |
| CAD | Coronary Artery Disease |
| CAL | Chronic Airways Limitation |
| cap | Capsule |
| CAPD | Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis |
| cath | Catheter, Catheterize |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count |
| CBR | Chemical / Biological / Radiation |
| CBRN | Chemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear |
| CBRNE | Chemical / Biological / Radiation / Nuclear / Explosive |
| CC | Chief Complaint |
| CCF | Congestive Cardiac Failure |
| CCP | Critical Care Paramedic |
| CCU | Coronary Care Unit |
| CDC | Centres for Disease Control (and prevention) |
| CF | Cystic Fibrosis |
| CHF | Congestive Heart Failure |
| CLL | Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia |
| cm | Centimetre |
| cm3 | Cubic Centimetre |
| Cmax | Maximum Concentration |
| cmHg | Centimetres of Mercury |
| CML | Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia |
| CNS | Central Nervous System |
| CO | Carbon Monoxide OR Cardiac Output |
| CO2 | Carbon Dioxide |
| COAD | Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease |
| conc | Concentrate/Concentration |
| COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| CPAP | Continuous Positive Airway Pressure |
| CPG | Clinical Practice Guideline |
| CPHC | College of Pre-Hospital Care |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| CRP | C-Reactive Protein |
| CSF | Cerebrospinal Fluid |
| CRT | Capillary Refill Time |
| CSL | Ringer's Lactate Solution |
| CSP | Clinical Support Paramedic |
| CV(S) | Cardiovascular (System) |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular Accident |
| CVL | Central Venous Line |
| CVP | Central Venous Pressure |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| D&C | Dilation and Curettage |
| d/c | Discharged |
| D5W | 5% Dextrose in Water |
| DAMA | Discharged Against Medical Advice |
| DBP | Diastolic Blood Pressure |
| DCCS | Direct Current Counter Shock |
| DCI | Decompression Illness |
| ddx, DDX | Differential Diagnosis |
| DIC | Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation |
| DKA | Diabetic Ketoacidosis |
| dL | Decilitre |
| DM | Diabetes Mellitus OR Duty Manager |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic Acid |
| DNR/DNAR | Do Not Resuscitate |
| DOA | Dead On Arrival |
| DOE | Dyspnoea On Exertion |
| dpm | Drops Per Minute |
| DRSABCDE |
|
| DTP | Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis |
| DVT | Deep Vein Thrombosis |
| Dx, dx, DX | Diagnosis |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| EBV | Epstein-Barr Virus |
| ECC | External Cardiac Compression |
| ECF | Extracellular Fluid |
| ECG | Electrocardiogram |
| ECT | Electroconvulsive Therapy |
| ED | Emergency Department |
| EDP | End Diastolic Pressure |
| EEG | Electroencephalograph |
| EHS | Event Health Services |
| elix | Elixir |
| EMD | Electromechanicai Dissociation |
| EMG | Electromyogram |
| ENT | Ear, Nose And Throat |
| ePCR | Electronic Patient Care Record |
| esp | Especially |
| ESRD | End-Stage Renal Disease |
| etCO2 | End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide |
| ETOH | Ethyl Alcohol |
| ETT | Endotracheal Tube |
| exam | Examination |
| excl | Exclude/Excluding |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| FAST | Face, Arms, Speech, Time (Stroke Exam) OR Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma |
| FBC | Full Blood Count |
| Fe | Iron |
| FEV | Forced Expiratory Volume |
| FEV1 | Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second |
| FFP | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| FG | French Gauge |
| FHR | Foetal Heart Rate |
| FiO2 | Fractional Inspired Oxygen Concentration |
| FRC | Functional Residual Capacity |
| FSH | Fiona Stanley Hospital |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| g | Gram(S) |
| GABA | Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid |
| GCS | Glasgow Coma Scale |
| GDM | Gestational Diabetes Mellitus |
| GFR | Glomerular Filtration Rate |
| GI(T) | Gastrointestinal (Tract) |
| GORD | Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease |
| Grava I, II, III, etc. | Pregnancy One, Two, Three, Etc. |
| GSW | Gun Shot Wound |
| GTN | Glyceryl Trinitrate |
| GYN, Gyn | Gynaecological |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| H+ | Hydrogen Ion |
| H2O | Water |
| HAV/HBV/HCV | Hepatitis A/B/C Virus |
| Hb | Haemoglobin |
| HCG | Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin |
| HDL | High Density Lipoprotein |
| Hg | Mercury |
| HGH | Human Growth Hormone |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| HR / hr(s) | Heart Rate OR Hour(s) |
| HRT | Hormone Replacement Therapy |
| HSV | Herpes Simplex Virus |
| HTN | Hypertension |
| Hx | History |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| IBD | Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
| ICC | Intercostal Catheter |
| ICD | Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator |
| ICP | Intracranial Pressure |
| ICS | Intercostal Space |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| IDC | In-Dwelling Catheter |
| IDDM | Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus |
| IgA, etc. | Immunoglobulin A, Etc. |
| IHD | Ischaemic Heart Disease |
| IHT | Interhospital Transfer |
| ILCOR | International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| IM(I) | Intramuscular (Injection) |
| IN | Intranasal |
| incl | Include/Including |
| incr | Increase(d) |
| INH | Inhalation |
| inj | Injection |
| INR | International Normalised Ratio (of prothrombin time) |
| IO | Intraosseous |
| IOP | Intraocular Pressure |
| IPPV | Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilations |
| ITD | Impedance Threshold Device |
| IU | International Unit |
| IU(C)D | Intrauterine (Contraceptive) Device |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IV inf | Intravenous Infusion |
| IV(I) | Intravenous (Injection) |
| IVF | In Vitro Fertilisation |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| J | Joules |
| JHC | Joondalup Health Campus |
| JVP | Jugular Venous Pressure |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| K+ | Potassium |
| KED | Kendrick Extrication Device |
| KEMH | King Edward Memorial Hospital |
| kg | Kilogram(s) |
| KVO | Keep Vein Open |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| L | Litre |
| L) | Left |
| L/min | Litres Per Minute |
| Lac | Laceration |
| LBBB | Left Bundle Branch Block |
| LDL | Low Density Lipoprotein |
| LFT | Liver Function Test |
| LH | Luteinising Hormone |
| LLL | Left Lower Lobe |
| LLQ | Left Lower Quadrant |
| LMA | Laryngeal Mask Airway |
| LOC | Loss Of Consciousness |
| LP | Lumbar Puncture |
| LRTI | Lower Respiratory Tract Infection |
| LUQ | Left Upper Quadrant |
| LV | Left Ventricle |
| LV(F) | Left Ventricular (Failure) |
| LVAD | Left Ventricular Assist Device |
| LVEF | Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction |
| LVF | Left Ventricular Failure |
| LVH | Left Ventricular Hypertrophy |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| M | Metre |
| MAC | Minimal Alveolar Concentration |
| MAOI | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor |
| MAP | Mean Arterial Pressure |
| max. | Maximum |
| mcg | Microgram(s) |
| MCI | Multi Casualty Incident |
| MDI | Metered Dose Inhaler |
| mEq | Milliequivalent |
| mg | Milligram |
| Mg+ | Magnesium |
| MI | Myocardial Infarction |
| MILS | Manual In Line Stabilisation |
| min | Minute(s) |
| ml | Millilitre(s) |
| mLhr | Millilitres Per Hour |
| mm | Millimetre |
| mm3 | Cubic Millimetre |
| mmHg | Millimetres of Mercury |
| mmol | Millimole |
| mmol/L | Millimoles per Litre |
| mod | Moderate |
| MOI | Mechanism Of Injury |
| METHANE |
|
| MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| MRSA | Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus |
| MS | Multiple Sclerosis |
| mV / MV | Millivolt OR Minute Ventilation |
| MVA / RTA / RTC | Motor Vehicle Accident / Road Traffic Accident / Road Traffic Crash |
| MW | Molecular Weight |
| Mx | Manage/Management |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| N | Nitrogen |
| n/a | Not Applicable |
| Na+ | Sodium |
| NAD | Nil Abnormality Detected |
| neb | Nebule/Nebulised |
| nec | Necessary |
| NESB | Non-English Speaking Background |
| NFR | Not For Resuscitation |
| NG | Nasogastric |
| NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit |
| NIDDM | Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus |
| NIPPV | Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation |
| NOF | Neck Of Femur |
| NPA | Nasopharyngeal Airway |
| NSAID(S) | Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug |
| NSR | Normal Sinus Rhythm |
| NSTEACS | Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes |
| NSTEMI | Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarct |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| O/A | On Arrival |
| O/E | On Examination |
| O2 | Oxygen |
| OA | Osteoarthritis |
| Obs | Observations |
| OC(P) | Oral Contraceptive (Pill) |
| OCD | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| OD | Overdose |
| OG | Orogastric |
| OHCA | Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest |
| OPA | Oropharyngeal Airway |
| OPQRST |
|
| OTC | Over-The-Counter |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| PAC | Premature Atrial Contraction |
| PaCO2 | Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (Arterial) |
| PaO2 | Partial Pressure of Oxygen (Arterial) |
| PCI | Percutaneous Coronary Intervention |
| PCO2 | Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide |
| PCP | Phencyclidine |
| PCR | Patient Care Record |
| PDA | Patent Ductus Arteriosus |
| PE | Pulmonary Embolism |
| PEA | Pulseless Electrical Activity |
| PEARL | Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light |
| PEEP | Positive End-Expiratory Pressure |
| PEF | Peak Expiratory Flow |
| PEFR | Peak Expiratory Flow Rate |
| per | Through, by way of |
| PET | Positron Emission Tomography |
| pH | Hydrogen Ion Concentration (acid / alkaline) |
| PHC | Peel Health Campus |
| PID | Pelvic Inflammatory Disease |
| PIH | Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension |
| PIT | Pressure Immobilisation Technique |
| PJC | Premature Junctional Contraction |
| PM | Afternoon/Evening (AM/PM should be avoided; use 24HR time instead) |
| PMHx | Past Medical History |
| PMS/T | Premenstrual Syndrome/Tension |
| PO | Per Oral |
| PO2 | Partial Pressure of Oxygen |
| POC | Products Of Conception |
| poss | Possible/Possibly |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment |
| PPH | Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage |
| PPI | Proton Pump Inhibitor |
| ppm | Permanent Pacemaker OR Parts Per Million |
| PR | Per Rectum OR Pulse Rate |
| pref | Preferably |
| prn | When required, as often as necessary |
| PSV | Pressure Support Ventilation |
| PSVT | Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia |
| Pt / pt / PT | Patient OR Prothrombin Time |
| PTH | Parathyroid Hormone |
| PTS | Patient Transfer Service |
| PTSD | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| PTT | Partial Thromboplastin Time |
| PV | Per Vagina |
| PVC | Premature Ventricular Complex |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| q | Every |
| q2h | Every 2 Hours |
| q3h | Every 3 Hours |
| q4h | Every 4 Hours |
| QE2 | Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre |
| qh | Every Hour |
| QID | Four times a day |
| qn | Every night |
| qod | Every other day |
| QRS | QRS Complex of ECG |
| Abbreviation | Expanded |
|---|---|
| R&R | Rest and Reassurance |
| R) | Right |
| RAAS | Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System |
| RACE | Rapid Arterial Occlusion Exam |
| RBBB | Right Bundle Branch Block |
| RBC | Red Blood Cell |
| RDS | Respiratory Distress Syndrome |
| RGH | Rockingham General Hospital |
| Rh- | Negative Rhesus factor |
| Rh+ | Positive Rhesus factor |
| RHD | Rheumatic Heart Disease |
| RLQ | Right Lower Quadrant |
| RNA | Ribonucleic Acid |
| ROM | Range Of Motion |
| ROSC | Return Of Spontaneous Circulation |
| RPH | Royal Perth Hospital |
| RSI | Rapid Sequence Induction |
| RSV | Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
| RUQ | Right Upper Quadrant |
| RV | Right Ventricle |
| Rx | Treatment |
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