General

pfo

What does pfo mean?

British A&E shorthand meaning 'Pissed, Fell Over'. Goes in the notes when someone rolls in on a Friday night reeking of lager with a split eyebrow and no memory of how it happened. Sister term to PAFO ('Pissed And Fell Over') — same diagnosis, slightly different abbreviation depending on which department you trained in. Officially frowned on, unofficially scribbled in every triage bay in the country.

"Triage notes: head lac, GCS 14, PFO outside the kebab shop."

Origin

UK A&E slang. Genuinely written in patient notes until trusts started auditing for it.

Frequently asked questions

What does PFO mean in a hospital?

PFO stands for 'Pissed, Fell Over' — a UK A&E chart note for a drunk patient who's injured themselves.

How do you use PFO in a sentence?

"Another PFO in cubicle four, split his head on the kerb."

Is PFO a real medical abbreviation?

It's informal medical slang, not an official diagnosis — staff shorthand for an intoxicated fall.

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