In medical documentation, what does 'r/o' indicate?

In medical documentation, 'r/o' stands for "Rule Out." This abbreviation is commonly used by healthcare professionals to indicate that a specific condition or diagnosis is being considered but has not yet been confirmed. The phrase implies that further testing, evaluation, or monitoring may be needed to determine whether the condition is present or absent.

For instance, if a doctor suspects that a patient may have a certain illness, they might order tests or assessments to rule that illness out. This process is crucial in clinical decision-making and helps ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment based on accurate diagnoses. Therefore, when 'r/o' is noted in a patient's chart, it reflects the clinician's intent to explore and exclude possible diagnoses, ensuring thoroughness in patient care.