French researchers have developed a potentially very useful set of graphical icons to depict disease and drug information:
Like road signs, the VCM graphical language uses a small set of graphical signs. The current dictionary contains about 130 pictograms displayed in 5 colors. For example, current conditions of a patient are shown as red icons while risks of future conditions are orange. The physicians who tested the system learned it in a couple of hours and think this system will reduce the number of errors in drug prescriptions.
I think a universal, simplified set of icons is a great idea. Of course they wouldn’t be a replacement for drug information sheets, etc., but they could allow doctors and pharmacist to quickly identify a substance and work more safely and efficiently.
Blendor 
That’s interesting. I wish I could remember the name of the conference, but a few years ago I remember reading about a conference in Switzerland that was aimed at graphic designers with an eye to define a set of global symbols. It was an international conference that pulled together ideas for everything from universal stop signs to bathroom signs to medical terminology. I really wish I could find it because some of the the examples were so brilliant in their simplicity.
that does sound cool. let me know if you find it.
yes totally. but don’t tell me about it. i just don’t want to hear it.