CBE
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Medical, Education & Academia |
CBE has three meanings. The most common are Commander of the Order of the British Empire (UK government) and Charting by exception (medical documentation); it can also stand for Competency-based education.
Meanings of CBE at a glance
| # | CBE stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Government & Politics › UK Government |
| 2 | Charting by exception | Medical › Medical Documentation |
| 3 | Competency-based education | Education & Academia › Academic |
1. Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Government & Politics · UK Government Abbreviations · also used in general use
Highest rank of the Order of the British Empire below the knighthoods, awarded for a prominent role at national level or highly distinguished work. Recipients use the letters CBE after their names.
Example: The novelist was made a CBE for services to literature.
The two ranks above it, KBE (knight) and DBE (dame), carry the titles "Sir" and "Dame", but CBE does not. Nominations are reviewed by honours committees in the Cabinet Office, and anyone can nominate a person. Honours can be forfeited after criminal convictions or misconduct.
2. Charting by exception
Medical · Medical Documentation Abbreviations
Documentation system in which nurses chart in detail only findings that differ from predefined normal standards, relying on flowsheets and protocols for everything else. It reduces repetitive writing.
Example: Per CBE policy, normal skin findings checked as WDL; only the sacral redness described.
CBE depends on clear written standards; without them, a checked box may not prove what was actually assessed. Malpractice cases have criticized gaps in exception-based records, so policies require reassessment notes after any intervention. WDL is the electronic descendant of CBE.
3. Competency-based education
Education & Academia · Academic Abbreviations
Approach in which students progress by demonstrating mastery of defined skills and knowledge rather than by accumulating seat time, often at their own pace. Western Governors University, founded in 1997 by a group of western state governors, is the best-known example.
Example: In the CBE program, she finished six courses in one term by passing assessments early.
Many CBE programs charge a flat rate per term, rewarding fast progress. Some use federal "direct assessment" approval that does not rely on credit hours at all. Critics question the role of faculty interaction in self-paced models.
Related abbreviations
More UK government abbreviations
- BoE – Bank of England
- CMA – Competition and Markets Authority
- COBR – Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms
- Con – Conservative and Unionist Party
- CPS – Crown Prosecution Service
- CQC – Care Quality Commission
- DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBT – Department for Business and Trade
See all 91 UK government abbreviations →
More medical documentation abbreviations
- A/P – Assessment and plan
- ADT – Admission, discharge, transfer
- AVS – After-visit summary
- Bx – Biopsy
- CC – Chief complaint
- CDI – Clinical documentation improvement
- CPOE – Computerized provider order entry
- CTM – Continue to monitor
See all 79 medical documentation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.