title: Rapid response team in a rural hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to explore the nurses' knowledge and perceptions of the Rapid Response Team (RRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was of a prospective, quantitative, descriptive design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting was a 175-bed rural community nonteaching regional hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven nurses participated, resulting in a 90.4% response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through distribution of an adapted survey termed Rapid Response Team Survey; the tool consisted of 3 parts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean knowledge score was average. A "physician positive" response to the calling of an RRT was not particularly important; a "physician negative" response to calling the RRT was even less important. Knowledge of the RRT criteria and the understanding of the call criteria were important. Knowledge of the process for calling the RRT and how to call were less important to this group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the nurses were able to identify that changes in the patient's condition had occurred, weakness existed in recognition that those changes required rapid intervention through the calling of the RRT. The nurses positively perceived the RRT and the hospital's commitment to it. The nurses generally did not allow physician response to impact their willingness to call the RRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that education is needed on early identification of the unstable patient and the early insidious signs seen in diseases such as sepsis.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Pamela D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D057209:Hospital Rapid Response Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies