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What Does HOB Mean in Medical Terms?

HOB stands for head of bed. Raised upper part of a hospital bed.

head of bed

Raised upper part of a hospital bed.

Where you will see HOB

You will most often see HOB in nursing notes, care plans and handovers.

Example

A chart note might use “HOB” as shorthand for head of bed when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

  • 1:1 — one-to-one observation
  • 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
  • 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
  • A&O — alert and oriented
  • A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)
  • A-line — A-line (arterial line shorthand)
  • a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)
  • a.m. — ante meridiem (morning)

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.