bed blocker

plural bed blockers · alternative bed-blocker · alternative bedblocker

1. UKderogatoryidiomaticpublic policymedicineAn elderly hospitalized person who is too infirm to return home but not sufficiently ill to necessitate continued hospitalization, creating a situation in which his or her hospital stay is prolonged while authorities or relatives search for a suitable placement amid the scarce resources of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

   A 72-year-old "bed blocker" was yesterday ordered to vacate the hospital bed he has refused to leave for three years, despite being in good health.

   2006 March 7, Jacqueline Maley, “Court evicts NHS 'bed blocker'”, in The Guardian, UK, retrieved 02 Dec 2012

   2 more examples

   There will also be a fee charged to a "bed blocker"—someone fit for discharge from an acute hospital but reluctant to go until a nursing home place is provided.

   2008 October 10, Eilish O'Regan, “Plan aims to ease cost of nursing home care”, in Irish Independent, retrieved 02 Dec 2012

   Dimitra was slapped with a hospital bill worth $18,238, for taking up an acute car bed for too long. . . . "Maria's mother was desperately ill and needed hospital care and she was treated like a bed blocker."

   2012 February 21, “Ontario woman on crusade to demand hospital accountability”, in Global News Toronto, Canada, retrieved 02 Dec 2012