My ex-reporter daughter still cringes when anyone uses the phrase “Critical but Stable.”

Here’s why. This is the American Hospital Guideline:

Critical – Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
Doctors will use the phrase amongst themselves to differentiate between those who are expected to recover and those who might not.

But the media should learn the difference. You can’t be stable and be critical. They are contradictory terms.