bed blocker



bed blocker

A derogatory term for a person in a hospital, typically an older patient, who is unable to live alone but no longer needs hospital treatment, thus occupying a bed that more needy patients might otherwise use. Primarily heard in UK. The nursing staff is starting to gripe about all the bed blockers.
See also: bed

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Brankica-Croatian, Serbian
WernerVER-ner (German), VER-nər (Dutch), WER-nər (Dutch)German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
MoisÉSmoi-SES (Spanish)Spanish, Portuguese
Nkosana-Southern African, Xhosa
Lana['lænə]
Chikondichee-KON-deeSouthern African, Chewa