Health care providers assess patients using objective criteria like vital signs and trends or records of symptoms. If a patient is going downhill, it is usually the friend or family member at the bedside who communicates with hospital staff. Here are some suggestions for talking to health professionals in a way that will quickly give them the information they need to help the patient.

• Ask for people with authority to act. This may be your own doctor, the rapid response team, nurse supervisor, or doctor on duty.

• Organize your thoughts: What do you want them to do and why do you think it is needed?

• Use medicalized language if you know it.

• Cite concrete observations and trends.

• Be brief. Let them ask questions.

• Track vital signs if possible.

• Remember: If someone looks unwell, they probably are unwell.