General
bed blocker
What does bed blocker mean?
A patient who no longer needs acute care but cannot be discharged (usually awaiting social care or placement), thereby 'blocking' the bed.
"Half the ward are bed blockers waiting on care packages."
Origin
British healthcare slang, widely used.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'bed blocker'?
A patient who is medically fit for discharge but cannot leave — usually waiting on social care or a placement — and so continues to occupy a hospital bed.
Is 'bed blocker' rude?
It can sound blaming toward the patient, since the delay is usually caused by the care system rather than the person. It is common British healthcare slang but used with some caution.
How is it used?
Staff use it in discussions of patient flow and capacity, e.g. describing beds that cannot be freed for new admissions.
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