Parentheses, Braces and Brackets
According to the accepted style guide for medical transcription, these marks are rarely used in medical reports and should only be included when the dictator specifically dictates. Medical journal publications, however, may contain appropriately used punctuation of this type.
Some dictators will use the term brackets interchangeably with parentheses. Outside chemical formulas, brackets are rarely used in healthcare documentation.
Parentheses
Use parentheses when using an enumerated list within a sentence.
Parentheses are used to provide supplemental (parenthetical) information. In most cases, the parenthetical inclusion isn't necessary and the supplemental information can be included as part of the sentence. If there is a close relationship between the parenthetical material and the rest of the sentence, commas are preferred to parentheses.
The discussion regarding the patient's condition was extensive. (A summary will be charted shortly.) The treating physician will advise the patient regarding recommendations.
otherwise
The discussion regarding the patient's condition was extensive (a summary will be charted shortly) and the treating physician will advise the patient regarding recommendations.
Punctuate within the parenthetical expression as necessary.
The patient will continue her current medications (Vicodin, lisinopril and folic acid) following the procedure.
Braces and Brackets
Use brackets around a parenthetical phrase within a parenthetical phrase. (NOTE: This isn't likely to occur in routine healthcare documentation.)
A nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine hydrochloride [[Mustargen]]) was one of the drugs used.
Brackets are also used to indicate editorial interpolation within a quotation and to enclose corrections, explanations or comments in material that is quoted.
The primary care physician has indicated, "Because of the patient's underlying medical condition, surgery is absolutely contraindicated [[italics added]]."
The Latin term sic is shown in brackets to indicate an error or peculiarity in the spelling or grammar of the preceding word or words from a quoted source.
"The MRI scan report indicates the patient may have a genital [[sic]] deformity within the elbow."
NOTE: The double brackets used in the above samples are for the purpose of preventing the wiki software from translating this text into a link. Should you need to utilize a bracket as per the above samples, use only ONE bracket, not two.
In chemical formulas, the current trend is to use only parentheses and brackets, making sure that every parenthetical and/or bracketed expression has an opening and a closing symbol. Per the AMA Manual of Style 10th Ed., consult the most recent edition of USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names for drug formulas, and The Merck Index for chemical compounds to verify the correct use of parentheses and brackets.
Wiki