MORE VIDEOS
Explore more

What Does HS Mean in Medical Terms?

HS stands for at bedtime. At the hour of sleep, from Latin hora somni.

at bedtime

At the hour of sleep, from Latin hora somni.

⚠ Caution — error-prone abbreviation. HS is on recognised error-prone abbreviation lists (ISMP pattern) because it can be misread or confused with similar terms. Many hospitals restrict or ban it in handwritten orders. Write the full form instead, and always verify against your institution’s approved list.

Where you will see HS

You will most often see HS in medication orders and prescriptions.

Example

A medication order might be written with “HS” as shorthand for at bedtime.

Related abbreviations

  • 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
  • 5-FU — fluorouracil
  • 6-MP — mercaptopurine
  • 6-TG — thioguanine
  • 7+3 — seven plus three induction
  • a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)
  • ABEMA — abemaciclib (chart shorthand)
  • ABI — abiraterone (chart shorthand)

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

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.