Shiell A, Fry M, Elliott D, Elliott R. Exploration of a rapid response team model of care: A descriptive dual methods study.
Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2022;
73:103294. [PMID:
36031517 DOI:
10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103294]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Avoidable in-patient clinical deterioration results in serious adverse events and up to 80% are preventable. Rapid response systems allow early recognition and response to clinical deterioration.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the characteristics of a collaborative rapid response team model.
DESIGN
Dual methodology was used for this descriptive study.
SETTING
The study was conducted in a 500-bed tertiary referral hospital (Sydney, Australia).
PARTICIPANTS
Inpatients (>17 years) who received a rapid response team activation were included in an electronic medical audit. Participants were rapid response team members and nurses and medical doctors in two in-patient wards.
METHODS
A 12-month (January-December 2018) retrospective electronic health record audit and semi-structured interviews with nurses and medical doctors (July-August 2019) were conducted. Descriptive statistics summarised audit data. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.
RESULTS
The rapid response team consulted for 2195 patients. Mean patient age was 67.9 years, and 46% of the sample was female. Activations (n = 4092) occurred most often in general medicine (n = 1124, 70.8%) units. Overall, 117 patients had >5 activations. The themes synthesised from interviews were i) managing patient deterioration before arrival of the rapid response team; ii) collaboratively managing patient deterioration at the bedside; iii) rapid response team guidance at the bedside; and iv) 'staff concern' rapid response activation.
CONCLUSIONS
Some patients received many activations, however few required treatment in critical care. The rapid response model was collaborative and supportive. The themes revealed a focus on patient safety, optimising early detection, and management of patient deterioration.
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