HS in medication administration refers to which time of day?

The abbreviation "HS" in medication administration specifically refers to the "hour of sleep," which is commonly understood to mean bedtime. It indicates that a medication should be taken at night, close to the time when a patient is typically going to sleep. This timing is important for medications that are meant to aid sleep or those that might have effects that align better with nighttime use, such as certain sedatives or sleep aids.

Understanding the context of medication timing is essential for safe and effective administration, particularly in a healthcare setting where the timing can significantly impact the medication’s efficacy and the patient’s overall health. Knowing that "HS" refers to bedtime helps ensure that medications are administered correctly according to the prescribed schedule.