General
dfo
What does dfo mean?
Shorthand for a patient who fell — either literally 'done fell out' (of bed/chair) or 'drunk and fell over.'
"ED sheet just says DFO, query head injury."
Origin
US/UK medical slang acronym.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'DFO' stand for?
It stands for either 'Done Fell Out' (of bed or a chair) or 'Drunk and Fell Over,' describing how a patient came to fall.
Is 'DFO' an official term?
No, it's informal medical slang rather than a recognised clinical abbreviation.
When is 'DFO' used?
As jokey shorthand on notes for a patient who has had a fall, often with a query about head injury.
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