General
wall
What does wall mean?
An admitting doctor who blocks nearly every referral, contrasted with a 'sieve' who admits everyone.
"Good luck getting that past tonight's reg — he's a total wall."
Origin
US resident slang; paired with 'sieve.'
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'wall' in hospital slang?
An admitting doctor who resists nearly every referral, making it hard to get a patient admitted onto their service.
What's the opposite of a wall?
A 'sieve' — a doctor who admits almost everyone that's referred.
Is being a wall a bad thing?
It's neutral-to-teasing among staff; a good wall protects beds from unnecessary admissions, a bad one blocks patients who genuinely need care.
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