Triage for Rapid Response Teams: Evidence-based Pearls and Pitfalls

Rapid Response Teams (RRT) identify deteriorating hospitalized patients prospectively and seek to alter their clinical trajectory through increasing the clinical resources directed to them. As hospitalized patients may exhibit warning signs prior to deterioration, RRTs have the potential to prevent adverse clinical outcomes, including cardiac arrest and death. 

Brought to widespread attention by the 2005 Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 100,000 Lives Campaign, the development of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) was in reaction to a growing body of evidence that revealed deficiencies in the response to rapid clinical decline in the inpatient setting.  A key principle underlying RRT is that early intervention can prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality in the non-intensive care hospital setting. 

Members of the RRT must possess skills in rapid and thorough patient assessment, positive team dynamics, and correct triaging of all patients.  Inadequacies in any of these areas could result in rapid patient deterioration and patient demise.   

In this presentation, you will learn about the following: (1) the most effective physical assessment techniques to assess a patient; (2) proper planning and interventions for your patient’s condition; (3) treatment modalities for the most common causes of activating an RRT call; and (4) pitfalls to avoid when responding to an RRT call. 

1. Evaluate the role of the rapid response team (RRT). 
2. Identify three physical assessment methods used to effectively triage an RRT patient. 
3. Determine pitfalls that can occur during the triage process that adversely affect the patient's outcome. 

Credit eligibility by state, board, and more information can be found here: Triage for Rapid Response Teams: Evidence-based Pearls and Pitfalls