SMI
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Serious mental illness |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
SMI has two meanings. It stands for Serious mental illness (mental health & psychiatry) or Soft mist inhaler (pharmacy).
Meanings of SMI at a glance
| # | SMI stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serious mental illness | Medical › Mental Health & Psychiatry |
| 2 | Soft mist inhaler | Medical › Pharmacy |
1. Serious mental illness
Medical · Mental Health & Psychiatry Abbreviations
Mental, behavioral or emotional disorder in an adult that causes serious functional impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities, a definition used by SAMHSA and NIMH. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression make up much of this group, though any diagnosis can qualify.
Example: Housing program eligibility requires documentation of SMI and current case management.
About 6 percent of US adults meet SMI criteria in a given year according to federal surveys. People with SMI die on average years earlier than the general population, largely from cardiovascular disease and other medical conditions. The children's counterpart is serious emotional disturbance (SED). In respiratory care SMI means soft mist inhaler.
2. Soft mist inhaler
Medical · Pharmacy Abbreviations
Inhaler that uses a spring mechanism to create a slow-moving, fine mist from a liquid drug, without propellant. The Respimat device used for Spiriva, Combivent and Stiolto is the main example.
Example: Tiotropium SMI 2.5 mcg, 2 inhalations once daily.
The slower, longer-lasting mist (about 1.5 seconds) makes coordination easier than with a pressurized MDI and deposits more drug in the lungs. The cartridge must be loaded into the device before first use, and the device is primed by turning and firing it toward the ground.
Related abbreviations
More mental health & psychiatry abbreviations
- SCZ – Schizophrenia
- SI – Suicidal ideation
- SIB – Self-injurious behavior
- SLD – Specific learning disorder
- SUD – Substance use disorder
- TD – Tardive dyskinesia
- TF-CBT – Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
- TMS – Transcranial magnetic stimulation
See all 100 mental health & psychiatry abbreviations →
More pharmacy abbreviations
- REMS – Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
- RLD – Reference listed drug
- RPh – Registered pharmacist
- SDV – Single-dose vial
- sol – Solution
- SP – Specialty pharmacy
- SR – Sustained release
- SS – Single strength
See all 134 pharmacy abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.