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You may see DC or D/C in hospital notes, medication orders, or discharge paperwork. These abbreviations appear often in medical records. Their meaning depends on the context of the note.
In most cases, DC or D/C refers to stopping a treatment or leaving the hospital.
Healthcare providers use these shorthand forms to document important changes in care quickly.
What DC Means in Medical Records
DC usually means Discontinue or Discharge.
Doctors use discontinue when they want to stop a treatment, medication, or medical order.
Examples include:
- DC antibiotics - stop the antibiotic medication
- DC IV - remove the intravenous line
- DC oxygen - stop oxygen therapy
Doctors use discharge when a patient leaves the hospital or care unit.
Examples include:
- DC home - the patient is discharged home
- DC today - the patient leaves the hospital today
The surrounding medical note usually makes the meaning clear.
Where You Might See DC
You may find DC in several parts of a medical record:
- Physician progress notes
- Nursing documentation
- Medication orders
- Discharge summaries
- Electronic health records (EHR)
Patients sometimes notice DC when reviewing discharge instructions or medication lists.
DC vs Other Medical Abbreviations
DC appears alongside other abbreviations that describe care changes or patient movement.
- Rx: A prescription order for medication
- PRN: Medication taken as needed
- NPO: Nothing by mouth before procedures
- STAT: Immediate action required
Each abbreviation helps healthcare providers communicate instructions quickly in medical records.
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