title: Rapid response teams: a proactive strategy for improving patient care.
abstract: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation success rates have not changed in 30 years. Patient outcomes may improve if changes in a patient's condition are addressed at the onset of subtle deteriorations, rather than at the point of cardiac arrest. The rapid response team involves early intervention that demonstrates the ability to decrease cardiac arrest rates and improve patient mortality.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit , University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center, Richmond Heights, Ohio, USA. sharon.garretson@uhhospitals.org
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garretson
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Rauzi
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meister
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuster
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010360:Patient Transfer; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*