To: WRS Users
From: WRS Development Team
Date: 08/22/2022
Re: Sunset of NCIt QuantityUnitOfMeasure (QUOM) codes for e-Prescribing

Items in this Release

  • Sunset of NCIt QuantityUnitOfMeasure (QUOM) codes for e-Prescribing

 

Sunset of NCIT* QuantityUnitOfMeasure** (QUOM) codes for e-Prescribing

Surescripts will begin enforcing the updated QuantityUnitOfMeasure (QUOM) code list effective September 1, 2022, and will reject any E-Prescribing messages, except CancelRx messages, that contain a NCIt QuantityUnitOfMeasure code that has been sunset. This code set is referenced by the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard External Code List (ECL) v2017071 that is used in Surescripts E-Prescribing Solutions.

 

In preparation of the sunsetting of NCIt QuantityUnitOfMeasure (QUOM) codes, we have removed the codes listed below from the Unit of Measure dropdown in the Add Prescription / Medication window.

 

Removed Codes for NCIT Subset Code C89510

NCIt Code NCPDP Preferred Term Equivalent Billing Unit Comment
C48473 Ampule ML or EA An ampule may contain a powder or a liquid and the quantities within an ampule can vary.   Example: Lasix ampules come in 2, 4 and 10 mL sizes.
C78783 Applicatorful GM or ML An applicatorful is a dosage measurement and dose size can vary.  Example:  An applicatorful of estradiol vaginal cream can contain 1, 2, or 4 grams.
C48474 Bag GM or ML The amount of substance in a bag may vary.  Example:  A bag of IV solution can contain 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 mL.
C48475 Bar EA Translates to EA 1:1.  NCPDP Work Group 2 defines a bar as 1 EA: Bars have a billing unit of “each”. Commonly, bars also include the weight in grams of the bar on the package; there had been confusion if the billing unit should be “each” or ‘gram”. This was researched as a project by the work group and it was determined that “each” was the appropriate billing unit since bars are dispensed as a whole unit and are not broken apart. Thus, all bars have been standardized to have a
billing unit of “each”.
C53495 Bead GM Discontinued dosage form that is not quantifiable.   Example:  The now obsolete product Debrisan Beads contained a packet of beads that was measured by grams.  It was never
measured by the bead.
C53498 Block EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  Example: Camphor Blocks
C48476 Bolus ML Term does not quantify an actual size and is a measure of dose rather than dispense quantity.
C48477 Bottle ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  Example:  A bottle of Robitussin mat contain 120 ML or 240
ML.
C48478 Box GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size
for dispense.  Example:  A box of syringes may contain 30 EA or 100 EA.
C48479 Can GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size
for dispense.  Example: Olux Foam may have 50 GM or 100 GM in a can.
C62413 Canister GM or ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  Example: A canister of albuterol inhaler may contain 3.7 Gm or
6.7 GM.
C54702 Carton GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  Example: A carton of
alcohol swabs may contain 100 EA or 200 EA.
C48481 Cartridge ML Term does not quantify a measurable size
for dispense.  Example an insulin cartridge may contain 1.5 ML or 3 ML.
C62414 Case GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  Example: A case of intravenous solution may contain 12 X
250 ML or 24 X 250 ML.
C69093 Cassette GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense. A cassette may contain any number of discrete units, for example, a 10 ml or 20 mL cassette of fentanyl
injection for PCA (patient controlled analgesia).
C48484 Container GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a specific measurable size. A container may have many different metric amounts.
Example: A container of dietary
supplement may contain 120 ML or 240 ML.
C48489 Cylinder GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a specific measurable size. A cylinder of oxygen
may contain 20,000 ML or 40,000 ML.
C16830 Device EA NCPDP Billing Unit
C48490 Disk EA Discontinued dosage form.
C62417 Dose Pack GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size. A dose pack may have many different metric amounts contained
within it.
C96265 Dual Pack GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size.  A dual pack represents 2 of another other unit of measurement.
C48494 Fluid Ounce ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in ounces to ML using number of ounces x 30.
C101680 French EA Term does not quantify a dispense unit, it is the size of a urinary catheter.
C48580 Gallon ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in ounces to ML using number of gallons x 128 ounces x 30 ML
C48501 Inhalation GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C62275 Inhaler GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C62418 Inhaler Refill GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C67283 Intravenous Bag ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.  An intravenous bag may
contain 250 ML or 500 ML.
C28252 Kilogram GM Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert kilograms to grams using the kilogram measurement x 1000.
C48505 Liter ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert liters to milliliters using the liter measurement x 1000.
C48491 Metric Drop ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48512 Milliequivalent GM or ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C28253 Milligram GM Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert milligrams to grams using the milligram measurement/1000.
C28251 Millimeter EA Not a measurement of quantity.  It is a measurement of length.
C71204 Nebule ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense. Example: A nebule of
albuterol may contain 0.5 ML or 2.5 ML.
C100052 Needle Free Injection ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C69086 Ocular System EA Discontinued dosage form.
C48519 Ounce GM Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in ounces to GM using number of ounces x 30.
C48520 Package GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C82484 Paper EA Term does not quantify a measurable size
for dispense. This dose form is no longer used.
C48529 Pint ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure.
Convert prescriptions written in pints to ML using number of pints x 480.
C48530 Pouch GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48531 Pound GM Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in pounds to GM using number of pounds x 454.
C97717 Pre-filled Pen Syringe ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C65060 Puff GM or ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C111984 Pump GM or ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48534 Quart ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in pints to
ML using number of quarts x 960.
C71324 Sachet EA Translates to EA 1:1.  This term is not currently used in the United States, but is
similar to the packet dosing unit.
C48536 Scoopful GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48537 Spray GM or ML Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48540 Syringe ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48541 Tablespoon ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in tablespoons to ML using number of tablespoons x 15.
C62421 Tabminder EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48543 Tampon EA Translates to EA 1:1.  No current example of a medicated tampon.
C48544 Teaspoon ML Not a preferred metric unit of measure. Convert prescriptions written in teaspoons to ML using number of
teaspoons x 5.
C54704 Tray GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48549 Tube GM or ML or EA Term does not quantify a measurable size for dispense.
C48551 Vial ML or EA A vial may contain a powder or a liquid and the quantities within a vial can vary. Example: Furosemide vials come in 2,4,
and 10 mL sizes.

*NCIt – National Cancer Institute Thesaurus

**QuantityUnitOfMeasure is referred to as PotencyUnitCode in prior versions of the SCRIPT Standard.

***NCPDP – National Council for Prescription Drug Programs