Rapid Response Team
In an effort to increase patient safety, PMHC has joined numerous other
health care facilities across the nation in the formation of a Rapid
Response Team. This was done just over six months ago, as a part of the
Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI)
5 Million Lives Campaign,
as well as complying with one of the National Patient Safety Goals from
the Joint Commission.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is a team of clinicians who bring critical
care expertise to the bedside or wherever it is needed. At Phelps
Memorial, this includes three people: the nurse assigned to that
patient, the ICU RN, and a Respiratory Therapist. These three staff
members are readily available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Staff can
activate the Rapid Response Team when they notice a change in the
patient's condition, based on set criteria (acute changes in heart rate,
blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sudden onset of severe chest pain,
suspected acute MI (heart attack), suspected stroke, or simply being
worried or concerned about the patient). Patients or family members can
also request Rapid Response Team activation by contacting a nurse.
The idea is to notice a subtle change in the patient, before a crisis.
Using 'standing orders' to evaluate and respond to the initial changes
in the patient's condition can save valuable time in treating the
patient. IHI data post Rapid Response Team implementation has shown
significant reductions in the number of cardiac arrests, deaths from
cardiac arrests, number of days in ICU post cardiac arrest, number of
days in the hospital post-arrest, and overall reduction in the number of
inpatient deaths.
Departments
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