Circling the drain
Formal Definition
A patient who is progressively declining and unlikely to recover.
How It's Used on the Ward
Very informal. Used among residents, not in front of patients or families.
Example
"Intern to intern: "Mr. Peterson has been circling the drain for days. Multi-organ failure, family is considering comfort care.""
Clinical Context
Dark humor is common in medicine as a coping mechanism. Be careful where and with whom you use terms like this.
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