General
ctd
What does ctd mean?
Hospital shorthand for a patient who's actively dying despite everything, or already gone in everything but name. Stands for 'Circling The Drain' (or, more bluntly, 'Certain To Die'). Said quietly at handover, never written in the notes.
"Bed nine's been CTD since the second pressor maxed out, family's on their way in."
Origin
Initialism of the older phrase 'circling the drain', evoking water spiralling down a plughole.
Frequently asked questions
What does CTD mean in medical slang?
CTD stands for "Circling The Drain" — a patient who isn't going to make it.
Is CTD offensive?
Yes, it's dark hospital slang used privately among staff, never with patients or families.
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