1. SOME CLINICAL
SHORTHAND
Dr. Dino Sgarabotto
Malattie Infettive e Tropicali
Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova

2. The Most Used Shorthand
• OE On examination
• CO Complaining of
• PH Previous history
• FH Family history
• SH Social history
• HPC History of present complaint
• IV Intravenously
• IM Intramuscularly
• SC Subcutaneously

3. Other common shorthand
• PUO Pyrexia of unknown origin
• URTI Upper respiratory tract infection
• CA Cancer
• CCF Congestive cardiac failure
• POP Plaster of Paris cast
• BP Blood pressure
• PR Per rectum
• PV Per vagina
• OD once daily
• BD or BID Bis in die, twice daily
• TID Ter in die, thrice daily
• QID quarter in die, four times a day
• NR Not relevant
• NAD Nihil ad demonstrandum, 'nothing to show’

4. Plus Notation
- Negative
± Doubtful
+ Mild
++ Moderate
+++ Strong
++++ Very strong

5. Time shorthand
5/7  5 days
3/7  3 days
2/52  2 weeks
1/52  1 week
2/12  2 months
3/12  3 months

6. PN
Percussion
note
VF
Vocal
fremitus
BS
Breath
sounds