"Within Parameters"

If we never heard the phrase "within parameters" again, we would be quite happy. The parameters in question are the ranges of acceptable values for his test results. For example, his CO2 saturation is within parameters between 50 and 70. Unfortunately, they don't use this phrase when his numbers are good.....if his CO2 were 53, that would be great and they would be able to turn the ventilator down. Instead, they say it when they don't have any good news to report (no weaning), but they didn't have to turn anything up, either. A saturation of 67 would be within parameters. What it means is that his numbers aren't great, they'd be happier if they were lower, and he's not currently making any progress.

We hear that he's within parameters quite a bit, often right after recovering from a stressful situation. He was within parameters earlier this evening, after being weaned down to 40% oxygen (from a high of 45). When I called at 10pm, they were about to take another blood gas (test), and I expect that he will again be within parameters. Apparently he didn't take too kindly to them flipping him to his back again, or suctioning his mouth and lungs (a standard procedure), or giving him a breathing treatment. How sad is it that you can't flip our baby over without him freaking out? Anyway....they were giving him a bit of time to recover before they take a sample, but I'm sure it won't be enough time to get him to weaning levels.

I suppose "within parameters" is better than "crashing," "going back on the hi-fi,"desaturating," or any of the other awful things they could be saying. But in a situation where a little progress is everything, we always hope for better news.