General
gsw
What does gsw mean?
A penetrating injury caused by a bullet; a common trauma-bay chief complaint.
"Incoming GSW to the abdomen, five minutes out."
Origin
Initialism of 'gunshot wound.'
Frequently asked questions
What does GSW stand for?
Gunshot wound — a penetrating injury caused by a bullet, and a common chief complaint in the trauma bay.
How is GSW used in the ER?
It's shorthand for describing incoming trauma, as in 'incoming GSW to the abdomen, five minutes out.'
Is GSW a formal medical term?
It's a standard clinical abbreviation used in charting and radio reports for gunshot wounds.
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