General
snowed
What does snowed mean?
Describes a patient so loaded with sedatives or opioids that they are barely rousable. To 'snow' someone is to sedate them heavily.
"He was climbing out of bed, so they snowed him overnight."
Origin
US hospital slang; 'snow' as a blanket of sedation.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'snowed' mean in a hospital?
It describes a patient who is so heavily sedated on drugs like opioids or sedatives that they are barely rousable.
What does it mean to 'snow' a patient?
To sedate them heavily — to lay a blanket of sedation over them so they settle.
Is 'snowed' a formal medical term?
No, it's informal ward slang, though it's widely understood among clinicians.
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