title: Rapid response systems: a mandatory system of care or an optional extra for bedside clinical staff.
abstract: Two articles in this issue describe different approaches to implementing a rapid response system--one approach involving a wide-ranging marketing plan, the other entailing a policy change to make activation mandatory.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Buist
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shearer
mesh_terms: D057209:Hospital Rapid Response Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards