Background. Although rapid response teams (RRTs) decrease in-house cardiac arrests, significant debate exists surrounding their impact on patient outcomes. We have implemented the continuum of care (CoC) model for the surgical services in our center as a novel approach to patient care. Methods. This study was designed to assess the utilization of RRT resources and cardiac arrests between RRT and CoC coverage. Results. Whereas hospital-wide RRT activations increased in incidence from 2007 to 2010 by 45%, CoC patients experienced steadily decreasing percentage of total RRT activations. Rapid response triggers that led to cardiac arrest under the CoC were 8% in comparison with 17% in the control group. Non-CoC model/RRT activations increased dramatically from 0.3% to 1.5% of total admissions over 4 years whereas CoC RRT activation rates minimally increased from 0.3% to 0.4% (events per total admission per year). Cardiac arrests occurred in 0.4% of non-CoC patients while only occurring in 0.03% of CoC patients, P &lt; .0001. Conclusion. The implementation of the CoC model reduces events requiring RRT activations, preserves continuity of care by closely following high-risk patients, and reduces cardiac arrests via proactive intervention by critical care specialists.

Garry Ritter

Tim Johnson

Heath Walden

Cordelia Sharma

Alison Corley

Thanjavur S. Ravikumar

Rafael Barrera

ICU Director

Comparison of Two Rapid Response Teams Models

两种快速反应团队模式的比较

Comparison of Two Rapid Response Teams Models

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