Rapid Response Team
The Rapid Response Team at Vanderbilt University Hospital
Following a pilot from October, 2005 - March, 2006 a Rapid Response Team was put in place at Vanderbilt Medical Center on April 1, 2006. The team is supported by ICU nurses from the SICU or MICU, a Respiratory Therapy Supervisor, and a physician intensivist when required. Nurses in the Medical Center are empowered to call the Rapid Response Team at the first sign of a patient decline. Within minutes, a team of professionals join the patient's nurse at the bedside in an attempt to reverse the patient's instability.
We are happy to welcome our newest Rapid Response Team from the Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU). The CVICU Rapid Response Team and will cover 7 North, 6 South and Cardiovascular TVC Obs. Thanks to Jeannie Byrd and her committed team of Charge Nurses for developing this new branch of the RRT!
Click here to read about the FAMILY INITIATED RRT.
If the patient exhibits any of the following EARLY WARNING SIGNS, call the Rapid Response Team without delay and call the patient’s primary team physician. | |
Staff Concerned/Worried | "THE PATIENT DOES NOT LOOK/ACT RIGHT", gut instinct that patient is beginning a downward spiral even if none of the physiological triggers have yet occurred |
Change in Respiratory Rate | The patient's RESPIRATORY RATE is less than 8 or greater than 30 |
Change in Oxygenation | PULSE OXIMETER decreases below 90% |
Labored Breathing | The patient's BREATHING BECOMES LABORED |
Change in Heart Rate | The patient's HEART RATE changes to less than 40 bpm or greater than 120 bpm |
Change in Blood Pressure | The patient's SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE drops below 90 mmHg or rises above 200 mmHg |
Hemorrhage | The patient develops uncontrollable bleeding from any site or port |
Decreased LOC | The patient becomes SOMNOLENT, DIFFICULT TO AROUSE, CONFUSED, or OBTUNDED |
Onset of Agitation/Delirium | The patient becomes AGITATED OR DELIRIOUS |
Seizure | The patient has a SEIZURE |
Other Alterations in Consciousness | ANY OTHER CHANGES IN MENTAL STATUS OR CNS STATUS such as a sudden blown pupil, onset of slurred speech, onset of unilateral limb or facial weakness, etc. |
To Activate the RRT: | |
Call 1-1111, preferably from the patient's room | |
Answer the dispatcher's brief set of triage questions | |
Stay with the patient | |
Covered Units
| SICU | MICU | CVICU |
| 9 North | 11 North | 5 South |
| 9 South | 8 North | 6 South |
| Labor & Delivery | 8 South | 7 North |
| 3 Round Wing | 7 Round Wing | MCE Cardiology 5th Floor (South Tower) |
| 4 Round Wing | CRC | Cardiac MRI |
| 5 Round Wing | 6 North | Cath Lab Holding |
| 6 Round Wing | 10 South (STATS covered by 10N Trauma) | |
| 4 East | Endoscopy | |
| Burn Stepdown | Radiology | |
| TVC OBS - ED Holding | ||
| 7 South Bronch Lab |
Note: The RRT Nurse also responds to STATS within their covered areas.
Powerpoint Presentation
To see a presentation about the Vanderbilt University Hospital Rapid Response Team click here. Use your forward arrows to progress in the presentation.
Evidence Based Anyone?
Maine Medical Center Video Clip
Implementing a Rapid Response Team: In-hospital intervention before a critical event occurs can save lives..
Durkin, Sue E. MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS
[Article] AJN, American Journal of Nursing. 106(10):50-53, October 2006.
The 100,000 lives campaign: A scientific and policy review.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2006 Nov;32(11):621-7.
PMID: 17120921 [PubMed - in process]
Healthc Exec. 2006 Jul-Aug;21(4):28-32, 34.
Rapid response teams. Ten essentials leaders need to know.
Some Hospitals Allow Family Members to Activate Rapid Response Teams
