General
crumping
What does crumping mean?
To decline suddenly and acutely; a crumping patient is crashing and needs immediate attention. Also 'crump.'
"Get the crash cart — she's crumping fast."
Origin
US hospital slang, imitative of collapse.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'crumping' mean in a hospital?
It means a patient is deteriorating suddenly and acutely, essentially crashing and needing immediate intervention.
How is 'crump' used?
As a verb: a patient 'crumps' or is 'crumping' when they decline rapidly, prompting urgent action like calling the crash cart.
Where does the term come from?
It's US hospital slang, thought to be imitative of a sudden collapse.
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