Clear for discharge
Formal Definition
A determination by the medical team that a patient meets clinical criteria for safe discharge: vital signs stable, tolerating oral intake, pain controlled, durable follow-up arranged, and discharge instructions understood.
How It's Used on the Ward
"She's clear to go" or "medically cleared for discharge" — the physician sign-off that removes clinical barriers to leaving.
Example
""Cleared for discharge at 10am: vitals stable ×48h, ambulating independently, PO antibiotics covering the cellulitis, follow-up with PCP in 5 days. Waiting on insurance auth for the outpatient wound care.""
Clinical Context
Medically clear ≠ actually leaving. Discharge is a process: physician order, nurse discharge teaching, pharmacy medication reconciliation, patient education, ride home, follow-up scheduled. "Cleared" removes the medical hold; logistics hold determines the actual door time. Discharge before noon is an institutional quality metric — knowing what's blocking it at 8am rounds makes a real difference.