ACHS

Medical abbreviation · Prescription

ACHS
Stands forAnte cibum et hora somni (before meals and at bedtime)
CategoriesMedical

ACHS stands for Ante cibum et hora somni (before meals and at bedtime), a prescription abbreviation.

Combined timing instruction for four daily checks or doses: before breakfast, lunch and dinner plus bedtime. It is standard on blood glucose monitoring and correctional insulin orders for hospitalized patients with diabetes.

Example: POC glucose ACHS; insulin lispro correction scale with meals only.

Usage notes

Also written "AC & HS", "ac/hs" or "AC+HS". Because HS has long been flagged as error-prone, many order sets now say "before meals and at bedtime". Bedtime correction insulin is usually given at a reduced scale to lower the risk of overnight hypoglycemia.

More prescription abbreviations

  • aa – Ana (of each)
  • AC – Ante cibum (before meals)
  • ad lib. – Ad libitum (at one's pleasure)
  • ATC – Around the clock
  • bd – Bis die (twice a day)
  • BID – Bis in die (twice a day)
  • BIW – Twice a week
  • BT – Bedtime
  • cc – Cubic centimeter
  • c̄ – Cum (with)
  • D/C – Discontinue
  • DAW – Dispense as written

See all 77 prescription abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.