I am trying to write a paper.I am to using jcaho and ismp. I have to answer the following questions:
How can eliminating abbreviations reduce errors?
Should written policies be developed for abbrevation usage? If yes what should the policies contain? If no,explain.
When are abbrevations acceptable? Who should use them and why?
According to the information in the online article,do you think enough steps have been taken to record errors? Explain why you agree and disagree.
The problem i am having is that I can't find no articles to read. Has someone out there done this,I don't want the answers just a point in the right direction.
Thank You
I can give you an example where using abbreviations wasted time and money. Amines can be separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and one way of seeing the spots on the TLC plate is to spray the plate with iodoplatinic acid (IPA).
Years ago I worked for a pharmaceutical company and I had written up the method of preaparing an amine and it described the method in shorthand using the abbreviation IPA. A colleague in the pharmacology department had a sample of the amine but complained to me that had been unable see the spots on a TLC plate when he sprayed the plate with IPA (isopropyl alcohol). He had even tried IPA (india pale ale - a beer in the UK)!
This had wasted quite a lot of time and hence money.
One of the main sources of confusion is where abbreviations or acronyms become so familiar to folks in one field that they become an everyday language. Different sciences might be an example where often the abbreviation is a word. When two areas overlap and the abbreviation means different things to each group then problems can occur.
If you need examples try this web site. I have included STAR as an example.
http://www.acronymfinder.com/STAR.html
Hope that this is useful.
To find relevant articles for your paper, you can start by conducting a literature search using online databases and search engines. Here are a few suggestions on how to search for articles related to your topic:
1. Start with specific keywords: Begin by using keywords related to your topic such as "eliminating abbreviations in healthcare" or "patient safety and abbreviations." These keywords can help narrow down your search and retrieve more relevant results.
2. Utilize academic databases: Access databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, or Google Scholar, which index a wide range of scientific journal articles. These platforms allow you to search for articles using keywords, author names, or specific journals.
3. Refine your search: After getting a list of initial search results, you can further refine your search by using additional keywords or applying filters such as publication year, study design, or language.
4. Review bibliographies and citations: Once you find a relevant article, examine its bibliography to discover other studies or sources of information on the topic. Additionally, check the citation section to identify articles that have cited the one you found, as these are likely related and can provide further insights.
5. Check professional organizations' websites: Go to the official websites of organizations like JCAHO (now known as The Joint Commission) or ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices). They often publish white papers, guidelines, or articles related to patient safety and medication errors, including the use of abbreviations.
Remember to critically evaluate the articles you find based on their relevance, credibility, and source authority. Once you have a few sources, read and analyze them to answer the questions posed in your assignment. Good luck with your paper!