General
sieve
What does sieve mean?
An admitting doctor who lets almost every referral through, the opposite of a 'wall.'
"The ward filled up fast — she's a well-known sieve."
Origin
US/UK resident slang; paired with 'wall.'
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'sieve' in hospital slang?
An admitting doctor who lets almost every referral through, so patients pass straight onto the ward.
What's the opposite of a sieve?
A 'wall' — a doctor who blocks nearly every admission.
Is 'sieve' an insult?
It's light staff banter; it can imply a lack of gatekeeping, but a sieve is often just seen as easy to get patients admitted through.
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