title: 'Between the flags': implementing a rapid response system at scale.
abstract: While many hospitals are implementing rapid response systems (RRSs) to attend to deteriorating patients in a systematic way, there is little documented evidence on system-wide approaches to adopting RRSs. Here, we report on an initiative which enrolled 220 hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. The 'between the flags' approach was modelled on Australia's surf lifesaving experience, where qualified lifesavers perform thousands of rescues each year. Patients in hospitals who are identified as being 'between the flags' are given special attention, just like beach goers.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Excellence Commission, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Health Systems Improvement, Clinical Excellence Commission, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pain
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Governance Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.affiliation: Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D057209:Hospital Rapid Response Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D061214:Patient Safety; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055986:Vital Signs
keywords: Health Policy; Implementation Science; Medical Emergency Team; Patient Safety; Risk Management