Let me start off by saying I'm a new grad, just started working in a Progressive Care Unit (step-down ICU) almost 2 months now. My unit is connected to the ICU (we have the same managers covering both units and nurses often get floated between the two). I frequently hear codes and rapid response calls on the overhead and I have a few questions..
My preceptor was telling me how sometimes if a patient is in severe pain and the RN cannot get in touch with their attending to get pain meds ordered, you can call a rapid and get that physician/resident/whoever shows up to administer a one-time dose of pain meds. I was under the impression that you'd only call rapid response for things like: concerning changes in BP/HR/R/O2 sat, changes in mental status, new chest pain, etc. So now my first question is - What are appropriate times to call a rapid response? Or is it just different per hospital policy?
My second inquiry - I understand the rapid team is usually made up of respiratory therapists, PAs, residents, intensivists, critical care nurses, etc. Am I expected to respond to rapid calls if I am free? I'm ACLS/PALS certified and have been encouraged by my preceptors and managers to answer code blues if I can. I'm also just curious because I hear overhead announcements of rapid response and code teams needed on other floors. Are critical care nurses expected to leave their patients and run to these calls throughout the hospital?
Sorry if these are dumb questions.. I'm just a newbie to all this. Thanks!
