General
turf
What does turf mean?
To move a patient onto another team or department, often for non-medical reasons or simply because caring for them feels more trouble than it is worth. A respected survival skill among residents.
"If we can find a cardiac angle, we can turf him to medicine and clear the bed."
Origin
Popularized by 'The House of God' (1978); long-standing US and UK hospital slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to turf a patient?
It means to transfer a patient to another service or team, often to offload the workload or clear a bed, rather than for strictly clinical reasons.
Where does the medical term 'turf' come from?
It's long-standing US and UK hospital slang, popularized by the 1978 novel 'The House of God.'
Is 'turf' a rude term?
It's informal insider slang rather than a slur, but it can carry a cynical edge about passing off unwanted patients.
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