NOS
Medical abbreviation · Medical Documentation
| Stands for | Not otherwise specified |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
NOS stands for Not otherwise specified, a medical documentation abbreviation.
Coding and diagnostic qualifier meaning a condition is documented without further detail that would allow a more specific category. It appears in ICD codes and pathology and psychiatric diagnoses.
Example: Pathology: adenocarcinoma, NOS; additional stains pending.
Usage notes
In ICD-10-CM, "unspecified" codes are the equivalent and are discouraged when better documentation is available, which is a major focus of clinical documentation improvement. Older psychiatric manuals used NOS categories; DSM-5 replaced them with "other specified" and "unspecified" disorders. NEC (not elsewhere classified) is a related coding term.
Related abbreviations
More medical documentation abbreviations
- MDM – Medical decision making
- MRN – Medical record number
- Mx – Management
- N/V/D – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- NFA – No further action
- NOK – Next of kin
- O/E – On examination
- OLDCARTS – Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors, Relieving…
- PC – Presenting complaint
- PCP – Primary care provider
- PE – Physical examination
- PIE – Problem, Intervention, Evaluation
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.