First Aid Acronyms Editorial Team

IPC means infection prevention and control, the practical hygiene and PPE habits that reduce infection risk during first aid.

PEP means post-exposure prophylaxis, medicine that may reduce HIV risk after a possible exposure if started quickly after medical assessment.

NSI means needlestick injury, a puncture from a needle or sharp that may need urgent washing, reporting and medical advice.

BBV means blood-borne viruses, a key workplace first aid term when blood, sharps or body-fluid exposure is possible.

PEACE & LOVE is a newer soft-tissue injury framework that covers early protection and later active recovery.

POLICE means Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression and Elevation, an injury-care acronym that evolved from PRICE.

PRICE is a soft-tissue injury acronym that adds Protection to the older RICE approach.

SBAR is a communication acronym for Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation.

IMIST-AMBO is an Australian ambulance-to-hospital handover acronym for clear, structured patient information.

OPQRST is a pain and symptom assessment acronym: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity and Time.