Term	Definition	Example
SBAR	Communication framework for structured clinical handover: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. Pronounced “ES-bar” in the UK and Australia. Now the global standard for handover.	"We use SBAR for all escalation calls on this ward."
Situation	The S of SBAR — who you are, where you are, which patient, and what is happening right now. Convention: bed number before complaint, ward before detail.	"I'm calling about Mr. Davies in bed fourteen."
Background	The B of SBAR — the relevant clinical history and reason for admission. What has happened so far, used as a section marker inside a pressured call.	"Just to give you the background, he was admitted three days ago."
Assessment	The A of SBAR — what the nurse thinks is happening, based on the observations. This is where a clinical opinion is voiced, not just facts reported.	"My assessment is that his condition is changing."
Recommendation	The R of SBAR — what the nurse is asking for. A clear, direct request, not a hedged suggestion. Often the hardest element for junior or internationally trained clinicians.	"I'd like you to come and review him."
NEWS score (EWS)	National Early Warning Score — a standardised score aggregating vital signs to detect clinical deterioration. Used here as a number trend only; specific escalation thresholds are not taught in this episode. The broader international term is EWS, Early Warning Score.	"His NEWS score has increased in the last two hours."
Deteriorating	Getting worse — the clinical register for a patient whose condition is declining. Five syllables: de-TIH-ree-uh-ray-ting. Often softened with “may be.”	"I'm concerned that the patient may be deteriorating."
On-call doctor	The doctor or team available overnight or out of hours to respond to escalations. Compound adjective, stress on CALL.	"I've contacted the on-call doctor."
Bedside	At the patient's bed — the location the doctor confirms they will attend. Used as both a noun and an adjective.	"I'll come and review him at the bedside."
Escalation	Raising a concern to a higher level of clinical response. First taught in Episode 11, where a caller was escalated to a senior triage clinician. Here the direction reverses: the nurse escalates to the doctor. — recall Ep. 11	"This is an escalation call about a patient on the ward."

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