General
walkie-talkie
What does walkie-talkie mean?
A patient who can walk and talk and largely look after themselves — low-acuity and easy to nurse.
"Half the bay tonight are walkie-talkies, thankfully."
Origin
Literal 'walks and talks'; common nursing slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'walkie-talkie' patient?
It's an alert, mobile patient who can walk and talk and largely care for themselves, making them low-acuity and easy to nurse.
Why are they called walkie-talkies?
It's a literal play on the fact that they can both walk and talk, unlike more dependent patients.
Is 'walkie-talkie' a rude term?
No, it's harmless nursing shorthand describing how much care a patient needs.
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