Charting
D/C medical abbreviation
D/C has 2 common meanings: "discontinue", "discharge". The context of the note or order decides which one is meant.
On the ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations. ISMP suggests: Write "discharge" or "discontinue".
Each meaning matched at least two public references (5 in all for D/C), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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2 meanings of D/C
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| discontinue | None | Charting | |
| discharge | None | Charting |
Also written: DC.
Example
Training example of an error-prone entry: "D/C" on a medication list.
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
Related abbreviations
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Questions
What does D/C mean in medical terms?
D/C has 2 common meanings: "discontinue", "discharge". The context of the note or order decides which one is meant.
Where is D/C used?
D/C shows up in charting. Its category here is charting.
Is D/C on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No, but ISMP lists D/C as an error-prone abbreviation. ISMP's suggested practice: Write "discharge" or "discontinue".