Date of Award
Fall 12-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
First Advisor
Greene, Debbie
Second Advisor
Moore, Leslie
Third Advisor
Jackson, Tamara
Abstract
Acute care hospitals in the United States and across the world are experiencing substantial increases in acutely ill patient populations requiring multifaceted medical treatments and care. This increase in number of seriously ill patients is resulting in crowded critical care units and more acutely ill patients on general medical-surgical units. Several decades ago, Rapid Response Systems were introduced to help reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in patients presenting signs and symptoms of clinical deterioration on medical-surgical units. In patients displaying symptoms of rapid clinical deterioration, members of the Rapid Response Team are often required to begin immediate intervention and treatment to prevent further decline in condition. Rapid Response Team members often intervene by ordering laboratory tests, diagnostics tests, and occasionally crucial medications to prevent deterioration into a cardiopulmonary arrest event. Therefore, in order to ensure the Rapid Response Team is performing within the proper scope of practice for each team member, evidence-based, physician-approved protocols for use by the Rapid Response Team are essential to support quality patient care. The purpose of this translation project was to examine the characteristics of rapid response calls, including the common reasons, interventions, and outcomes of the calls, and to develop and recommend evidence-based protocols to support the care provided by the Rapid Response Team.
Recommended Citation
Pitts Darby, Laura, "Development of Evidence-based Rapid Response Team Protocols for Treatment of Deteriorating Adult Medical-Surgical Patients" (2017). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects. 30.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/dnp/30