AU: Both ears - do not use

What AU stands for

AU is a medical abbreviation for both ears - written out in full as “Auris utraque (both ears)”. TermDecode files it under route abbreviations.

RouteFlagged high riskSourced

Risk

Can be mistaken for OU (both eyes)

Safer Alternative

Write "both ears"

Seen in context

AU misread as OU

Sources

The risk description and safer alternative above are reproduced from these published lists.

https://online.ecri.org/hubfs/ISMP/Resources/ISMP_ErrorProneAbbreviation_List.pdf

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Other route abbreviations

Left ear

Right ear

Intranasal

Intrathecal

Left eye

Right eye

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