H&P

Medical abbreviation · Medical Documentation

H&P
Stands forHistory and physical
CategoriesMedical

H&P stands for History and physical, a medical documentation abbreviation.

Comprehensive admission note documenting the chief complaint, HPI, past history, medications, allergies, family and social history, review of systems, physical exam and initial assessment and plan.

Example: H&P dictated; admit to medicine for CAP, cultures and IV antibiotics started.

Usage notes

US Medicare conditions of participation require an H&P within 24 hours after admission and before surgery, or an update to one completed within the previous 30 days. Students learn the full H&P before moving to shorter progress notes. Also written H and P.

More medical documentation abbreviations

  • EHR – Electronic health record
  • EMR – Electronic medical record
  • ETOH – Ethanol (alcohol)
  • f/u – Follow-up
  • FH – Family history
  • Fx – Fracture
  • HD – Hospital day
  • HIM – Health information management
  • HOPI – History of presenting illness
  • HPI – History of present illness
  • Hx – History
  • I-PASS – Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness…

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.