Gabrielle Giffords Upgraded to 'Serious' Condition

Change likely occurred because she is now breathing on her own
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 16, 2011 10:20 PM CST
Gabrielle Giffords Upgraded to 'Serious' Condition
This undated file photo provided by the Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, shows Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona's 8th Congressional District.   (AP Photo/Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, File)

More good news for Gabrielle Giffords: Doctors upgraded her from critical to serious condition today, the Arizona Republic reports. A spokesperson says such a change typically happens when a patient stops using a ventilator and can breathe on her own, as Giffords did yesterday. Patients are listed in critical condition if their vital signs are unstable and their indicators unfavorable; serious condition, on the other hand, indicates that while the vital signs could still be unstable, their indicators are "questionable." Click for more on the recent improvements in Giffords' condition.
(More Gabrielle Giffords stories.)

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