title: Implementing a rapid response team to decrease emergencies outside the ICU: one hospital's experience.
abstract: The literature describes use of a rapid response team (RRT) of critical care nurses and respiratory therapists who arrive at medical-surgical patients' bedsides within minutes of a crisis situation, yet, few articles detail the processes necessary for implementation. The rationale, planning, and evaluation of such an effort at a large, tertiary care hospital in the urban Southwest is described. By describing the development and phased deployment of the RRT, the authors provide key insights into the processes used as well as structures needed and lessons learned.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hatler
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mast
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bedker
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Jeannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corderella
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Madona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plueger
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000451:nursing; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012985:Software Design