Response Team Activation Research Articles

The epidemiology of rapid response team activation amongst patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery

BackgroundClinical deterioration requiring rapid response team (RRT) review is associated with increased morbidity amongst hospitalised patients. The frequency of and association with RRT calls in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery is unknown. Understanding the epidemiology of RRT calls might identify areas for quality improvement in this cohort. ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to identify perioperative risks and outcome associations with RRT review following major gastrointestinal surgery. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic databases at a large Australian university hospital. We included adult patients admitted for major gastrointestinal surgery between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2018. ResultsOf 7158 patients, 514 (7.4%) required RRT activation postoperatively. After adjustment, variables associated with RRT activation included the following: hemiplegia/paraplegia (odds ratio [OR]: 8.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3 to 27.8, p = 0.001), heart failure (OR: 6.9, 95% CI: 3.3 to 14.6, p < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.7 to 10.4, p < 0.001), peptic ulcer disease (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.2 to 8.0, p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.2 to 7.2, p < 0.001), and emergency admission status (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 2.1 to 3.3, p < 0.001). Following the index operation, 46% of first RRT activations occurred within 24 h of surgery and 61% had occurred within 48 h. The most common triggers for RRT activation were tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnoea. Postoperative RRT activation was associated with in-hospital mortality (OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 3.8 to 11.8, p < 0.001), critical care admission (incidence rate ratio: 8.18, 95% CI: 5.23 to 12.77, p < 0.001), and longer median length of hospital stay (12 days vs. 2 days, p < 0.001) compared to no RRT activation. ConclusionAfter major gastrointestinal surgery, one in 14 patients had an RRT activation, almost half within 24 h of surgery. Such activation was independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Identified associations may guide more pre-emptive management for those at an increased risk of RRT activation.

The association between unanticipated prolonged post-anaesthesia care unit length of stay and early postoperative deterioration: A retrospective cohort study.

This study aimed to investigate whether there was an association between an unanticipated prolonged post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay and early postoperative deterioration, as defined as the need for a rapid response team activation, within the first seven days of surgery. We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study of adult surgical patients, who stayed at least one night in hospital, and were not admitted to critical care immediately postoperatively, between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2019. A total of 11,885 cases were analysed. PACU length of stay was significantly associated with rapid response team activation on both univariate (odds ratio (OR) per increment 1.57, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.45 to 1.69, P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (OR per increment 1.41, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.55, P < 0.001). Patients who stayed less than one hour were at low risk of deterioration (absolute risk 3.7%). In patients staying longer than one hour, the absolute increase in risk was small but observable within six hours of PACU discharge. Compar\ed to a one-hour length of stay, a five-hour stay had a relative risk of 4.9 (95% CI 3.7 to 6.1). Other factors associated with rapid response team activation included non-elective surgery (OR 1.78, P < 0.001) and theatre length of stay (OR per increment 1.61, P < 0.001). PACU length of stay was also independently associated with predefined complications and unplanned intensive care unit admission postoperatively. In our cohort, an unanticipated prolonged PACU length of stay of over one hour was associated with an increased incidence of rapid response team activation in the first seven days postoperatively.

Bedside Clinicians' Perceptions on the Contributing Role of Diagnostic Errors in Acutely Ill Patient Presentation: A Survey of Academic and Community Practice.

This study aimed to explore clinicians' perceptions of the occurrence of and factors associated with diagnostic errors in patients evaluated during a rapid response team (RRT) activation or unplanned admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A multicenter prospective survey study was conducted among multiprofessional clinicians involved in the care of patients with RRT activations and/or unplanned ICU admissions (UIAs) at 2 academic hospitals and 1 community-based hospital between April 2019 and March 2020. A study investigator screened eligible patients every day. Within 24 hours of the event, a research coordinator administered the survey to clinicians, who were asked the following: whether diagnostic errors contributed to the reason for RRT/UIA, whether any new diagnosis was made after RRT/UIA, if there were any failures to communicate the diagnosis, and if involvement of specialists earlier would have benefited that patient. Patient clinical data were extracted from the electronic health record. A total of 1815 patients experienced RRT activations, and 1024 patients experienced UIA. Clinicians reported that 18.2% (95/522) of patients experienced diagnostic errors, 8.0% (42/522) experienced a failure of communication, and 16.7% (87/522) may have benefitted from earlier involvement of specialists. Compared with academic settings, clinicians in the community hospital were less likely to report diagnostic errors (7.0% versus 22.8%, P = 0.002). Clinicians report a high rate of diagnostic errors in patients they evaluate during RRT or UIAs.

Obstetric Emergencies Requiring Rapid Response Team Activation: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a High-Risk Tertiary Care Centre.

The purpose of this study was to better understand obstetric codes requiring rapid response team activation by examining their incidence, indications, team response, and patient outcomes. This was a retrospective study in peripartum women who required activation of the following codes during hospitalization between January 2014 and May 2018: "Code 77 (C77)" (obstetric emergency), "Code Blue (CB)" (cardiopulmonary compromise) or "Code Omega (CO)" (massive transfusion). Hospital database and health records were searched to identify and review cases. Data on code characteristics, resuscitative measures, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected. A total of 147 codes were identified during the study period (C77, 110; CO, 25; CB 12), with an overall incidence of 1 per 203 deliveries (C77, 1:271 deliveries, CO, 1:1194 deliveries; CB, 1:2488 deliveries). Common indications for C77 were cord prolapse (33%) and fetal bradycardia (32%), and for CO and CB, postpartum hemorrhage (84%) and cardiac arrest (42%), respectively. Most codes (67%) occurred after hours. The median decision-to-delivery interval was 8 (interquartile range 5-15) minutes after C77. Emergency cesarean delivery was performed for 57% of obstetric emergencies, and general anesthesia was administered in 63% of cesarean deliveries. Maternal and neonatal mortality rates were 0.68% and 7%, respectively. Major maternal morbidity was seen in 33% of cases. Debrief was documented for 4% of codes. Rapid response team activation was required more commonly in C77 than in CO or CB. Their response time and decision-to-delivery intervals were rapid. Mortality was low; however, one-third of parturients had major morbidities. We suggest closer patient monitoring, immediate availability of resources, and appropriate documentation and debriefing.

Reducing PICU-to-Floor Time-to-Transfer Decision in Critically Ill Bronchiolitis Patients using Quality Improvement Methodology.

Specific criteria for de-escalation from the PICU are often not included in viral bronchiolitis institutional pathways. Variability of transfer preferences can prolong PICU length of stay. We aimed to decrease the time from reaching floor-appropriate heated high flow nasal cannula (HHF) settings to the transfer decision by 20% through standardizing PICU-to-floor transfer assessment in a PICU bronchiolitis cohort. We included PICU bronchiolitis admissions from October 2019 to April 2020, who were 6-months to 2-years-old with no comorbidities nor intubation during their encounter. Our intervention bundle included introduction of transfer criteria and standardization of transfer-readiness assessment. The primary outcome was time from reaching floor-appropriate HHF settings [8 L per minutes (Lpm)] to placement of the transfer order ("time-to-transfer decision"). The secondary outcome was PICU length of stay. The main process measure was the proportion of patients transferred on ≥6 Lpm HHF. Balancing measures included Rapid Response Team activation and unplanned PICU readmission. We assessed admissions meeting inclusion criteria from December, 2018-March, 2019 for the preintervention baseline. Special cause variation indicated improvement in our primary outcome and process measures. Comparison of baseline to postintervention revealed a reduction in median time-to-transfer decision (14.4-7.8 hours; P < 0.001) and increase in children transferred on ≥6 Lpm (51%-72%; P < 0.001). We observed no change in PICU length of stay or balancing measures. Standardizing de-escalation criteria and transfer-readiness assessment reduced the time-to-transfer decision out of the PICU and increased the proportion transferred on ≥6 Lpm HHF for children with viral bronchiolitis without increasing PICU readmissions.

Automated documentation of vital parameters in wards using portable stations - Effect on proper triggering of the rapid response team: a study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Welch Allyn Connex® Spot Monitor/Hillrom Connecta™ solution in activating the rapid response team in a timely manner compared to manual activation. METHODS: The Hillrom study is a single-center, open-label, superiority, cluster-randomized, parallel-group (1:1 allocation ratio) clinical trial that will be conducted in a tertiary hospital. Two sets of three wards with 28 beds will be included (one as the intervention cluster and the other as the control). The wards will be randomly assigned to use the Welch Allyn Connex® Spot Monitor/Hillrom Connecta™ automated solution (intervention cluster) or to maintain the usual routine (control cluster) regarding rapid response team activation. The primary outcome will be the absolute number of episodes of rapid response team triggering in an appropriate time; as secondary outcomes, clinical features (mortality, cardiac arrest, need for intensive care unit admission and duration of hospitalization) will be assessed according to clusters in an exploratory way. A sample size of 216 rapid response team activations was estimated to identify a possible difference between the groups. The protocol has been approved by the institutional Research Ethics Committee. EXPECTED RESULTS: The Welch Allyn Connex® Spot Monitor/Hillrom Connecta™ automated solution is expected to be more effective in triggering the nurse call system to activate the rapid response team in a timely and adequate manner compared to manual triggering (usual practice). CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT04648579

Impact of a continuous enhanced cardio-respiratory monitoring pathway on cardio-respiratory complications after bariatric surgery: A retrospective cohort study

Study objectiveTo determine the impact of an enhanced monitoring pathway consisting of continuous postoperative cardio-respiratory monitoring on adverse outcomes after bariatric. DesignSingle-center, retrospective cohort study. PatientsAdult patients who underwent bariatric surgeries between 2009 and 2016. InterventionsWe evaluated the use of an enhanced monitoring pathway consisting of a distant, continuous, non-invasive respiratory monitoring system on postoperative cardio-respiratory complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Treating physicians had the option to assign patients to enhanced monitoring (intervention group) in the postoperative period for suspected or diagnosed OSA or other clinical concerns. The control group had intermittent vital sign checks as per institutional standards. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was a composite of cardio-respiratory complications (rapid response team activation, intensive care admission, respiratory complications), major adverse cardiac events, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS). Main resultsOf 1450 patients, 752 patients received enhanced monitoring (intervention) and 698 patients received standard monitoring (control). Univariate analysis showed that, compared to control, enhanced monitoring was associated with lower odds of composite cardio-respiratory complications (OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.32–0.53, p < 0.001) and lower odds of prolonged LOS > 2 days (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.28–0.49, p < 0.001. After adjusting for potential confounders, enhanced monitoring remained associated with a reduction in composite cardio-respiratory complications (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.88, p = 0.005). ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that postoperative enhanced monitoring pathway was associated with a lower incidence of cardio-respiratory composite events, compared to a standard of care, in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. As our results show association rather than causation, future prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the benefit of enhanced monitoring. Findings of our study add to the existing literature involved in clinical management pathways to reduce the incidence of adverse postoperative outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing inpatient surgeries.

Rapid response team activation after major hip surgery: A case series.

IntroductionWe describe the demographic, preoperative, surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative characteristics of patients who required a rapid response team (RRT) activation after major hip surgery. We determined the characteristics and outcomes of patients that require RRTs after major hip surgery, and their associations with mortality.Presentation of casesWe retrospectively reviewed adult patients undergoing major hip surgery in a university teaching hospital. We included patients who had an RRT or “code blue” activation post-surgery and within the index hospital admission. We extracted patient, surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative variables. We explored differences between patients who survived their index hospital stay and those who died.Discussion187 (9%) patients had a postoperative RRT activation. The median age was 84.0 (78–90) years; 125 (67%) were female, and most patients had significant comorbidities. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 5.0 (4.0–7.0). Patients were frail (68%), ASA physical status ≥Class 3 (91%) and underwent emergency surgery (88%). Death after RRT activation occurred in 1 in 7 patients. Compared to patients who survived RRT activation, those who died had a higher mean CCI (6.5 [1.8] vs. 5.5 [2.1], P = 0.02), were more frail (80.1% vs. 56.5%, OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2,8.1; P = 0.03), and received less intraoperative opioids (intravenous morphine equi-analgesia: median = 5.8 (0.1–8.20 vs. 11.7 (3.7–19.0) mg, P = 0.03).ConclusionMortality after RRT activation is associated with non-modifiable patients factors rather than surgical or anesthesia factors. Our findings provide opportunities for the implementation of strategies aimed at improving postoperative outcomes.

1231: NURSING ASSESSMENT REDUCES DELAYS IN RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTIVATION, ICU ADMISSIONS, AND MORTALITY

1231: NURSING ASSESSMENT REDUCES DELAYS IN RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTIVATION, ICU ADMISSIONS, AND MORTALITY

Optimizing Situation Awareness to Reduce Emergency Transfers in Hospitalized Children.

Interventions to improve care team situation awareness (SA) are associated with reduced rates of unrecognized clinical deterioration in hospitalized children. By addressing themes from recent safety events and emerging corruptors to SA in our system, we aimed to decrease emergency transfers (ETs) to the ICU by 50% over 10 months. An interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and families convened to improve the original SA model for clinical deterioration and address communication inadequacies and evolving technology in our inpatient system. The key drivers included the establishment of a shared mental model, psychologically safe escalation, and efficient and effective SA tools. Novel interventions including the intentional inclusion of families and the interdisciplinary team in huddles, a mental model checklist, door signage, and an electronic health record SA navigator were evaluated via a time series analysis. Sequential inpatient-wide testing of the model allowed for iteration and consensus building across care teams and families. The primary outcome measure was ETs, defined as any ICU transfer in which the patient receives intubation, inotropes, or ≥3 fluid boluses within 1 hour. The rate of ETs per 10 000 patient-days decreased from 1.34 to 0.41 during the study period. This coincided with special cause improvement in process measures, including risk recognition before medical response team activation and the use of tools to facilitate shared SA. An innovative, proactive, and reliable process to predict, prevent, and respond to clinical deterioration was associated with a nearly 70% reduction in ETs.

304 Lack of Early Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Velocity Time Integral Estimated Volume Responsiveness is Associated With Increased Morbidity and Mortality

Fluid boluses are amongst the strongest recommendations for the management of septic patients, and they are generally administered with the goal increasing cardiac output and improving tissue perfusion. Early identification of volume responsiveness is challenging and dependent on many patient factors, but it may prevent the harmful consequences of hypervolemia. Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity time integral (VTI) has been used as a predictor of volume responsiveness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lack of volume responsiveness, defined as ≤15% change in LVOT VTI, is associated with increased risk of mortality, admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), or rapid response team activation within 24 hours of hospital arrival (composite outcome measure). We hypothesize that septic patients who are not volume responders will be more critically ill and therefore at greater risk of experiencing the composite outcome. This is a prospective observation study of septic patients conducted in an academic emergency department (ED). Patients were eligible for enrollment if they met Sepsis 3 definition and were receiving intravenous fluids. Patients received a point-of-care echocardiogram to measure LVOT VTI. Three measurements were taken and the average was recorded. After patients received a 500mL fluid bolus, a repeat ultrasound was conducted to re-measure VTI. Volume responsiveness was defined as >15% increase in VTI. Chart review was performed on all enrolled patients to determine whether the composite outcome occurred within 24 hours of ED arrival. At total of 126 patients with repeat ultrasound exams were included in this analysis; 49.2% were female and median age was 74 years. Overall, 56 (44.4%) patients experienced the composite primary outcome within 24 hours, and 30 (23.8%) patients had a delta VTI of >15%. Among the patients who experienced the composite outcome, 82.1% of them had a delta VTI of ≤15%, compared with 71.4% of patients who did not experience the composite outcome (p-value = 0.160). In a multivariable logistic regression modeling adjusting for lactate and systolic blood pressure, delta VTI of ≤15%, compared with delta VTI >15%, was significantly associated with higher odds of mortality, ICU admission, or rapid response team activation within 24 hours (OR: 2.643; 95% CI: 1.002, 6.967). Septic ED patients who are not volume responsive, based on percent change in VTI, are more likely to experience mortality, be admitted to an ICU, or have a rapid response team activation within 24 hours of ED arrival. Our findings suggest that early VTI may be used in septic patients to predict their clinical course. Future endeavors may evaluate if initial change in VTI could be used to help emergency physicians identify this critically ill cohort and facilitate earlier ICU disposition and vasopressor administration.

The impact of wearable continuous vital sign monitoring on deterioration detection and clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundTimely recognition of the deteriorating inpatient remains challenging. Wearable monitoring systems (WMS) may augment current monitoring practices. However, there are many barriers to implementation in the hospital environment, and evidence describing the clinical impact of WMS on deterioration detection and patient outcome remains unclear.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of vital-sign monitoring on detection of deterioration and related clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients using WMS, in comparison with standard care.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in August 2020 using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, Health Technology Assessment databases and grey literature. Studies comparing the use of WMS against standard care for deterioration detection and related clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients were included. Deterioration related outcomes (primary) included unplanned intensive care admissions, rapid response team or cardiac arrest activation, total and major complications rate. Other clinical outcomes (secondary) included in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay. Exploratory outcomes included alerting system parameters and clinical trial registry information.ResultsOf 8706 citations, 10 studies with different designs met the inclusion criteria, of which 7 were included in the meta-analyses. Overall study quality was moderate. The meta-analysis indicated that the WMS, when compared with standard care, was not associated with significant reductions in intensive care transfers (risk ratio, RR 0.87; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.66–1.15), rapid response or cardiac arrest team activation (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.69–1.01), total (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.44–1.32) and major (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.24–1.30) complications prevalence. There was also no statistically significant association with reduced mortality (RR 0.48; 95% CI 0.18–1.29) and hospital length of stay (mean difference, MD − 0.09; 95% CI − 0.43 to 0.44).ConclusionThis systematic review indicates that there is no current evidence that implementation of WMS impacts early deterioration detection and associated clinical outcomes, as differing design/quality of available studies and diversity of outcome measures make it difficult to reach a definite conclusion. Our narrative findings suggested that alarms should be adjusted to minimise false alarms and promote rapid clinical action in response to deterioration.PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42020188633.

Predicting factors for pulmonary embolism response team activation in a general pulmonary embolism population.

Pulmonary embolism response teams (PERT) aim to improve treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). PERT focus on intermediate- and high-risk PE patients, but recent multicenter studies show that low-risk PE patients compose one in five of all PERT cases. Conversely, not all intermediate- and high-risk PE patients elicit a PERT activation. The factors leading to PERT activations remain unknown. This study aims to describe the patient characteristics associated with PERT activation for low-risk PE patients and characteristics precluding PERT activation for intermediate/high-risk PE patients. We analysed data from all patients with confirmed PE diagnosed in the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department from August 2013 to February 2017 and cross-referred these data with patients who received a PERT activation and patients who did not. Patients were stratified into low-risk or intermediate/high-risk PE. Univariate analyses were performed within each risk group comparing patients with a PERT activation and patients without. Fifteen percent (56/374) of low-risk PE patients triggered a PERT activation. Patient characteristics associated with PERT activation were: (1) vascular disease, (2) pulmonary diseases, (3) thrombophilia, (4) current use of anticoagulants, (5) central PE and (6) concurrent DVT. Thirty-five percent (110/283) of intermediate/high-risk PE patients did not elicit a PERT activation. Patient characteristics precluding a PERT activation were: (1) vascular disease, (2) malignancies and (3) asymptomatic presentation. Low-risk PE patients with PERT activations had more extensive clot burden, complex comorbidities, or had failed anticoagulation treatment. Intermediate/high-risk PE patients without PERT activations tended to have malignancies or vascular disease.

Etiology and Timing of Postoperative Rapid Response Team Activations.

In this retrospective cohort study we sought to evaluate the association between the etiology and timing of rapid response team (RRT) activations in postoperative patientsat a tertiary care hospital in the southeastern United States. From 2010 to 2016, there were 2,390 adult surgical inpatients with RRT activations within seven days of surgery. Using multivariable linear regression, we modeled the correlation between etiology of RRT and timing of the RRT call, as measured from the conclusion of the surgical procedure. We found that respiratory triggers were associated with an increase in time after surgical procedure to RRT of 10.6h compared to activations due to general concern (95% CI 3.9 - 17.3) (p = 0.002). These findings may have an impact on monitoring of postoperative patients, as well as focusing interventions to better respond to clinically deteriorating patients.

Quantifying the incidence of clinically significant respiratory depression in women with and without obesity class III receiving neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundObesity is a suspected risk factor for respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia, however monitoring guidelines for obese obstetric patients are based on small, limited studies. We tested the hypothesis that clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine occurs more commonly in women with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 compared with BMI <40 kg/m2. MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review (2006–2017) of obstetric patients with clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine, defined as: (1) opioid antagonist administration; (2) rapid response team activation (initiated in April 2010); or (3) tracheal intubation due to a respiratory event. The incidence of respiratory depression was compared between women with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 and BMI <40 kg/m2. ResultsIn total, 11 327 women received neuraxial morphine (n=1945 BMI ≥40 kg/m2; n=9382 BMI <40 kg/m2). Women with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 had higher rates of sleep apnea, hypertensive disorders, and magnesium administration. Sixteen cases of clinically significant respiratory depression occurred within seven days postpartum. The incidence did not significantly differ between groups (odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 6.9, P=0.174). Neuraxial morphine was not deemed causative in any case, however women with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 had higher rates of tracheal intubation unrelated to neuraxial morphine (2/1945 vs. 0/9382, P=0.029). ConclusionsRespiratory depression in this population is rare. A larger sample (∼75 000) is required to determine whether the incidence is higher with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Tracheal intubation was higher among the BMI ≥40 kg/m2 cohort, likely due to more comorbidities.

Impact of COVID-19 on inpatient clinical emergencies: A single-center experience

AimDetermine changes in rapid response team (RRT) activations and describe institutional adaptations made during a surge in hospitalizations for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MethodsUsing prospectively collected data, we compared characteristics of RRT calls at our academic hospital from March 7 through May 31, 2020 (COVID-19 era) versus those from January 1 through March 6, 2020 (pre-COVID-19 era). We used negative binomial regression to test differences in RRT activation rates normalized to floor (non-ICU) inpatient census between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras, including the sub-era of rapid COVID-19 census surge and plateau (March 28 through May 2, 2020). ResultsRRT activations for respiratory distress rose substantially during the rapid COVID-19 surge and plateau (2.38 (95% CI 1.39–3.36) activations per 1000 floor patient-days v. 1.27 (0.82–1.71) during the pre-COVID-19 era; p=0.02); all-cause RRT rates were not significantly different (5.40 (95% CI 3.94–6.85) v. 4.83 (3.86–5.80) activations per 1000 floor patient-days, respectively; p=0.52). Throughout the COVID-19 era, respiratory distress accounted for a higher percentage of RRT activations in COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients (57% vs. 28%, respectively; p=0.001). During the surge, we adapted RRT guidelines to reduce in-room personnel and standardize personal protective equipment based on COVID-19 status and risk to providers, created decision-support pathways for respiratory emergencies that accounted for COVID-19 status uncertainty, and expanded critical care consultative support to floor teams. ConclusionIncreased frequency and complexity of RRT activations for respiratory distress during the COVID-19 surge prompted the creation of clinical tools and strategies that could be applied to other hospitals.

Decline in Pediatric Emergency Department Behavioral Team Activations After Institution of an Agitation Protocol.

Aggressive behavior among pediatric patients with psychiatric complaints in emergency departments is a growing problem. An agitation protocol was instituted in 1 pediatric emergency department to provide scaled recommendations for differing levels of aggression. The study objective was to determine if the frequency of activation of an emergency behavioral response team changed after protocol initiation. A protocol for escalating management of agitation in pediatric patients was introduced in February 2016. The electronic medical record was queried for subsequent behavioral response team activations over the next 16 months. Patient demographics and specific features surrounding the activation were retrospectively recorded from the medical record, including length of stay, medications administered, and documented deescalation techniques. Frequency and features of behavioral team activations were compared with activations from a period before the planning and implementation of the protocol (May 2014 to May 2015). Twenty-one patient visits were found to require behavioral response team activation over 16 months, compared with 31 for the 13-month preprotocol period. Attempts at verbal/ environmental redirection were seen in 77% and deescalation by medication administration before the activation occurred in 14% of patients. During the behavioral team activation, 81% of the patients were given psychiatric medications and 81% were placed in physical restraints. A decrease from a baseline of 2.4 to 1.3 behavioral response team activations per month, or a 46% decline, was noted following the institution of a clinical protocol for pediatric agitation.

Continuous Physiological Monitoring Improves Patient Outcomes.

General patient acuity is increasing in the United States, with more patients having multiple comorbidities and acute-on-chronic conditions. Hospitalizations may also be complicated by serious adverse events, often unrelated to the admitting medical diagnosis. In our facility, the late detection of patient deterioration on general medical units often resulted in increased length of stay (LOS) in the ICU and poor patient outcomes. The purpose of this project was to improve patient surveillance and better identify early signs of patient deterioration through the use of continuous vital sign monitoring technology. To improve detection of patient deterioration, a nurse-led monitoring and response system was developed using a wearable, wireless device for continuous vital sign surveillance. The patient data the device provided was used with early warning scores and sepsis screening protocols for timely goal-directed interventions. Ninety-seven percent of patient deterioration events were recognized and treated as a result of this continuous monitoring and response system. Rapid response team activations decreased by 53% between baseline and the intervention period. LOS among patients transferred to the ICU decreased from 2.82 to 2.19 days. Nurse satisfaction with use of the continuous monitoring device was positive, with 74% of nurses surveyed reporting that information provided by the device enhanced decision-making. New technology for patient surveillance, in this case a nurse-led monitoring and response system, can be successfully integrated into general care practice. Use of the nurse-led response system helped nurses recognize early signs of deterioration and continue meaningful patient interactions.

Code status at time of rapid response activation — Impact on escalation of care?

BackgroundA code status documents the decision to receive or forgo cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest. For patients who undergo a rapid response team activation (RRT) for possible escalation to an intensive care unit (ICU), the presence or absence of a code status represents a critical inflection point for guiding care decisions and resource utilization. This study characterizes the prevalence of code status at the time of RRT and how code status at RRT affects rates of intensive treatments in the ICU. MethodsWe conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of 895 rapid response activations occurring over six months. The study included all rapid response team activations for non-obstetric adult inpatients documented in the patient chart. All data was obtained through retrospective chart review. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed. ResultsAt the time of RRT activation, 56% of patients had a documented code status. Code status prevalence was much higher among medical rather than surgical services (74% vs. 13%). For patients escalated to the ICU, having a DNR code status at RRT was not associated with decreased odds of receiving cardioactive medications or advanced respiratory support. Before RRT activation, palliative care utilization was low (9%) but more than doubled after RRT (24% before discharge). ConclusionsBarely half of the patients had an active code status at the time of RRT activation. Similar rates of invasive ICU treatments among full code and DNR patients suggest that documented code statuses do not reflect in-depth goals of care discussions, nor does it guide medical teams caring for the patient at times of decompensation.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Rapid Responses Using Early Warning Scores

The Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) is an evidence-based tool that allows early collaborative assessment and intervention for a rapid response team (RRT) activation. The goal of our quality improvement initiative was to reduce the percentage of unnecessary RRT activations by 50% over 2 years without increasing PICU transfers or compromising patient safety and timely evaluation. A PEWS system replaced preexisting vital signs-based pediatric RRT criteria and was modified through plan-do-study-act cycles. Unnecessary RRT activations, total RRT activation rate, transfers to the PICU, total clinical interventions performed per RRT, and missed RRT activation rate were compared between intervention periods. Likert scale surveys were administered to measure satisfaction with each modification. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of unnecessary RRT activations from 33% to 3.5% after the implementation of the PEWS and modified-PEWS systems (P < .05). The RRT activation rate decreased from 22.6 to 13.3 RRT activations per 1000 patient care days after implementation of the PEWS and modified-PEWS systems (P < .05), without changes in PICU transfer rates. Physicians reported that the PEWS system improved nursing communication and accuracy of RRT criteria (P < .05). Nursing reported that the PEWS system improved patient management and clinical autonomy (P < .05). The PEWS systems have been an effective means of identifying deteriorating pediatric patients and reducing unnecessary RRT activations. The new system fosters collaboration and communication at the bedside to prevent acute deterioration, perform timely interventions, and ultimately improve patient safety and outcomes.