Rapid Response Teams

[Zee_RN]

Our hospital has just initiated a Rapid Response Team (sometimes called Rapid Assessement Team). Floor nurses can call for an RRT assessment if they think there is an acute change in their patient. We have 4 protocols to follow: hypotension, hypoglcycemia, oversedation (e.g., pt. just received dilaudid and is no unresponsive), and resp. distress.

The "team" consists of the ICU charge nurse and a respiratory therapist. That's it. Wish we had at least a PA to accompany us. Thus far, just about every RRT that's been called has been ended up transferred into the Unit. I don't think that's the goal but that's what has happened.

Tomorrow is my first day in charge since the RRT went into effect. I'm just hoping I have the tools I need to do what needs to be done. It's particularly busy in ICU itself right now and now we have to run around the hospital too. (I do think an RRT is a good idea, I just wish it were more than just me and a respiratory therapist!)

[PHOEBE RN]

Our hospital has a RRT. It consists of the CCU Charge Nurse and Respiratory Therapist. The Supervisor usually comes along. It does decrease the amount of codes and helps to prevent (in some cases an unnecessary CCU transfer). We have basic standing orders we can use and we contact the doctor as needed an after the event. Definitely not a place for a new grad as you new to rely on experience and training to discern whether the respiratory depression is simply due to oversedation...

[wente4]

Does your RRT only allow nurses to initiate this or are families involved also?

[darienblythe79]

Does your RRT only allow nurses to initiate this or are families involved also?

Ours does not include families. We did consider this initially, but decided that families' interpretation of emergent needs would vary greatly.

[sheilab]

our rapid response team is totally different as i am in the community we have 4 nurses and health care assistant, senior social worker, occupational therapist, rehab assistant and physio our idea is to keep people in their own homes instead of going into hosiptal.