Rapid Response System

Abstract

This handbook provides a practical approach to the evaluation, differential diagnosis, and management of common medical and surgical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, acute respiratory failure, seizures, and hemorrhagic shock occurring in hospitalized patients. Less common and special circumstances such as pediatric, obstetric, oncologic, neurologic, and behavioral emergencies as well as palliative care for terminally ill patients encountered in the context of rapid response team (RRT) events are also discussed. An overview of commonly performed bedside emergency procedures by rapid response team members complements the clinical resources that may need to be brought to bear during the course of the rapid response team event. Finally, an overview of organization, leadership, communication, quality, and patient safety surrounding rapid response team events is provided. This book is written with medical students, junior physicians, and nursing staff in mind working in both academic and community hospital settings. Both a novice and an experienced healthcare provider involved in a rapid response system (RRS) will find this handbook to be a valuable supplement to the clinical experiences gained through active engagement in the system. Hospital administrators and senior management staff will also find this book to be useful in the evaluation of quality and performance of the rapid response system, management of staff attitudes and behavior, performance of peer review, care for second victims, and implementation of countermeasures for patient safety problems discovered in the course of rapid response system reviews.