Medical-Surgical Nurses’ Experiences of Calling a Rapid Response Team in a Hospital Setting : A Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The rapid response team (RRT) decreases rates of mortality and morbidity in hospital and decreases the number of patient readmissions to the intensive care unit. This team helps patients before they have any signs of deterioration related to cardiac or pulmonary arrest. The aim of the RRT is to accelerate recognition and treatment of a critically ill patient. In addition, in order to be ready to spring into action without delay, the RRT must be on site and accessible, with good skills and training for emergency cases. It has been reported that many hospitals are familiar with the concept of RRTs. There is a difference between this team and a cardiac arrest team, since the RRT intervenes before a patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Aim: To describe current knowledge about medicalsurgical nurses' experiences when they call an RRT to save patients' lives. Method: The method used by the author was a literature review. The PubMed search database was used and 15 articles were selected, all of which were primary academic studies. Articles were analysed and classified according to specified guidelines; only articles of grades I and II were included. Results: Years of experience and qualifications characterise the ability of a medical-surgical nurse to decide whether or not to call the RRT. Knowledge and skills are also important; some hospitals provide education about RRTs, while others do not. Teamwork between bedside nurses and RRTs is effective in ensuring quality care. There are some challenges that might affect the outcome of patient care: The method of communication is particularly important in highlighting what nurses need RRTS to do in order to have fast intervention. Conclusion: Medical-surgical nurses call RRTs to help save patients' lives, and depend on their experience when they call RRTs. Both medicalsurgical nurses and RRTs need to collaborate during the delivery of care to the patient. Good knowledge and communication skills are important in delivering fast intervention to a critically ill patient, so that deteriorating clinical signs requiring intervention can be identified.

Interventions to reduce mortality from in-hospital cardiac arrest: a mixed-methods study

“…Studies [130][131][132] have explored potential barriers to ward staff calling outreach teams in order to determine why a delay in response to deterioration occurs. These suggest distinct intraprofessional clinical decision-making pathways and, where the outreach team is doctor led, interprofessional communication barriers.…”

“…These suggest distinct intraprofessional clinical decision-making pathways and, where the outreach team is doctor led, interprofessional communication barriers. [130][131][132] Shearer et al 132 also state that, despite an organisational commitment to outreach, clinical staff act on local cultural rules within the clinical environment, which are usually not explicit. 132 Our ward-based interviewees reported few barriers to calling the team and this extended to seeking advice about patients at earlier stages of concern.…”

Quels sont le fonctionnement, les caractéristiques, les effets et les modalités d’implantation des équipes d’intervention rapide ? Une revue de la littérature

“…L'adoption des ÉIR dans des hôpitaux à travers le monde ainsi que la recommandation de leur implantation par des organismes assurant la promotion de la qualité et de la sécurité des soins, tels que l'Institut canadien de la sécurité des patients et l'Institute for Healthcare Improvement (11,14), suggèrent qu'il s'agit d'un modèle à suivre pour améliorer la sécurité des patients hospitalisés. Actuellement, les caractéristiques et les impacts des ÉIR sur les équipes de soins, les organisations et les patients font l'objet d'une grande hétérogénéité dans la littérature (1,2,5,15,16).…”