Abbreviations Commonly Used Within the Health Sector
Here is a list of commonly used abbreviations. Some abbreviations can have more than one meaning.
Don't assume - ask someone if it is not clear.
| A&E | Accident and Emergency Department |
| ac | on an empty stomach/between meals |
| ACC | Accident Compensation Corporation |
| ALAC | Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand |
| AT&R | assessment, treatment and rehabilitation |
| bd | twice daily |
| BSA | BreastScreen Aotearoa |
| CABG | coronary artery bypass graft |
| CCU | Coronary Care Unit |
| CHD | Coronary Heart Disease |
| CKD | Chronic kidney disease |
| COPD | Coronary Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease |
| CVD | cardiovascular disease |
| CYF | Child, Youth and Family |
| DAP | District Annual Plan |
| DHB | District Health Board |
| DM | Diabetes Mellitis |
| DSP | District Strategic Plan |
| DSS | Disability Support Services |
| FEV | Forced Expiratory Volume |
| FHx | Family history |
| FTE | full-time equivalent |
| GP | general practitioner |
| HDL | high density lipoprotein |
| HPI | Health Practitioner Index |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| IDDM | Insulin dependent diabetes mellitis |
| IHD | Ischaemic heart disease |
| IPA | Independent Practitioners' Association |
| LDL | Low density lipoprotein |
| mane | morning |
| Mmol/l | Millimoles per litre |
| NASC | Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination |
| NCSP | National Cervical Screening Programme |
| NDP | National Drug Policy |
| NGO | Non-Government Organisation |
| NHF | National Heart Foundation |
| NHI | National Health Index |
| NIR | National Immunisation Register |
| nocte | at night |
| NOS | Not otherwise specified |
| NSU | National Screening Unit |
| NZDS | New Zealand Disability Strategy |
| NZHIS | New Zealand Health Information Services |
| NZHS | New Zealand Health Strategy |
| O/E | On examination |
| OGTT | Oral Glucose Tolerance Test |
| PE | Pulmonary embolus |
| PHO | Primary Health Organisation |
| po | take orally |
| ROS | Review of systems |
| SHx | Social history |
| WHO | World Health Organisation |