The Institute for Safe Medication Practices

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), based in suburban Philadelphia, is the nation’s only 501c (3) nonprofit organization devoted entirely to medication error prevention and safe medication use. ISMP represents over 30 years of experience in helping healthcare practitioners keep patients safe, and continues to lead efforts to improve the medication use process. The organization is known and respected worldwide as the premier resource for impartial, timely, and accurate medication safety information.

ISMP Error Prone Abbreviation List: - Download (PDF)

Confused Drug Name List - Download (PDF)

ISMP Guidelines for Inpatient Drugs:

IV Piggyback - Download (PDF)

Syringe - Download (PDF)

Oral - Download (PDF)

Oral Liquid - Download (PDF)

Additional Guidelines and and Draft Guidelines can be found online at: