ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Effect of the expansion of the rapid response system on the response of general ward nurses towards deteriorating patients
2021 Volume 24 Issue 4 Pages 496-504
Details
2021 Volume 24 Issue 4 Pages 496-504
Aim: To investigate the relationship between the expansion of the rapid response system (RRS) and nurses’ response to deteriorating patients.
Methods: Overall, 863 adult general ward patients attended by the first-time rapid response team (RRT) were retrospectively examined from 2013 to 2018. The RRS expansion (number of training participants and wards with RRT proactive rounding system) and six behavioral conducts of the nurses until their RRT call (e.g., RRT call rate) were analyzed from medical records. As there were annual changes in system expansion, the calendar year was used as a surrogate indicator of system expansion; its association with the nurses’ behavior was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis.
Results: There were significant annual changes in some of the behavioral outcomes of the nurses. The RRT call rate and frequency of the routine respiratory rate measurements increased, whereas the time taken to activate the RRS after meeting the RRT calling criteria decreased.
Conclusion: RRS expansion could improve the nurses’ response to clinically deteriorating patients and enhance the effectiveness of the RRS.
