Abstract Body: Introduction/Background After recognizing delays in calling Rapid Response Team (RRT) this project idea was formed to increase clinicians’ knowledge and comfortability regarding initiating a RRT and immediate actions to consider when awaiting the teams’ arrival.
Research question/hypothesis This project is important to ensure clinicians can understand how to identify and interpret RRT and Medical Code criteria and how to request additional help prior to or when signs of deterioration are recognized.
Goals/Aims With increased/early initiation, patients need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) transfer and Medical Codes outside of ICU will decrease.
Methods/Approach: The Rescue Team created tools for clinicians to refer to for signs and symptoms of initiating a Rapid Response or Medical Code. This included a badge buddy distributed to front line clinicians, as well as yearly presentations during various team meetings. During these meetings, the Rescue Team reviewed their mission and vision, criteria for RRT and Medical Code initiation and expected responders. One side of the badge buddy states rapid response criteria as listed in the Rapid Response policy. The other side includes actions to consider performing while waiting for responding teams’ arrival.
Results/Data: The goal of increasing the number of RRTs called after intervention was successful. In 2022 pre-implementation, the monthly average RRT calls were 28 per month. The project was initiated mid-2023, and the 2023 average RRTs increased to 52 per month. With one full year post-implementation and continued communication, the monthly average for RRT initiations in 2024 was 73. To ensure clinicians are identifying, interpreting, and relaying patient’s conditions prior to further deterioration, the number of patients requiring transfer to the ICU was tracked. In 2022, 27% of RRTs required ICU upgrade. In 2023, only 18% and in 2024 17% of those patients required an ICU upgrade. There was no increase in the monthly average of Medical Codes outside of the ICU despite increased RRT initiations between 2022 and 2023 and a slight decrease from 2023 to 2024. Readily available tools demonstrate clinicians’ ability to escalate concerns with bringing the Medical Alert responding teams to the bedside. The Rescue Team’s presentations in clinical areas ensures comfortability and need to escalate patient concerns via RRT or Medical Code initiation.