Reply #16: happens all the time

[onenote]

"stable" is a subjective term used by hospitals for communicating with the media; the American Hospital Association recommends against it, since you end up with odd sounding combinations: critical but stable, or serious but stable. But its hardly unusual for someone who's condition is "stable" - i.e., vital functions are not deteriorating or fluctuating, to nonetheless be in ICU, particularly if its an older patient that is being observed closely for any changes in condition.

onenote