What Does 1:1 Mean in Medical Terms?

1:1 stands for one-to-one observation. Continuous dedicated staff watching one patient.

Where you will see 1:1

You will most often see 1:1 in nursing notes, care plans and handovers, mental health assessments and care plans.

Example

A chart note might use “1:1” as shorthand for one-to-one observation when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

• 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
• 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
• 4AT — 4 A's test
• 5150 — 5150 hold (California)
• 5150 hold eval — 72-hour hold evaluation
• A&O — alert and oriented
• A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)
• A-line — A-line (arterial line shorthand)

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.