Abbreviations For Medical Alert Bracelets

What Are The Most Common Medical Abbreviations?

There are many very common medical abbreviations we see at Lauren’s Hope on a daily basis. We have been working with our partners in the medical community for years, and we have compiled a list of the most frequently used abbreviations in the hope that it helps as you try to maximize the effectiveness of your engraving. Try our medical abbreviation search tool below or scroll down for a full list.

What Are Acceptable Medical Abbreviations?

Medical abbreviations are not all equally acceptable for use on a med ID. There are two main reasons for this:

1. Some abbreviations can mean more than one thing.
   • EG: Tx can mean treatment, but it also means transplant. MS can mean Multiple Sclerosis, but it can also mean Metabolic Syndrome.
2. Some abbreviations are not common enough for a first responder to recognize them at a glance.
   • EG: TKR means total knee replacement. While this term is used in orthopedic practices and medical records, it is not something that all first responders will know, so spelling it out makes more sense.

When deciding what to put on your ID, think through how common your condition is. For instance, according to Global Genes, 1 in 10 Americans has a rare disease, but there are over 7,000 such diseases. If you have a rare disease, it is particularly important that you spell out the condition and any vital treatment considerations. You may find it helpful to speak with your physician and/or nurse educator for advice.

And remember: More isn’t always better. Just because there are common abbreviations for all of your information does not mean you need to use them all. When space allows, spelling things out while strategically using abbreviations will help create context and make your ID easier to understand.