title: Non-Critical-Care Nurses' Perceptions of Facilitators and Barriers to Rapid Response Team Activation.
abstract: Rapid response teams can save lives but are only effective when activated. We surveyed 50 nurses for their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to activation. Findings showed that participants need more education on their role and when to activate the rapid response team. Nurses who comprise the team need help building their communication skills. We recommend nursing professional development specialists increase the frequency of offerings and expand the focus on roles, activation criteria, and communication skills.
authors.affiliation: Sheryl Henry Jenkins, PhD, APN, is Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and an Associate Professor of Nursing at Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal. Kim Schafer Astroth, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal. Wendy Mann Woith, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal.
authors.forename: Sheryl Henry
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Kim Schafer
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Astroth
authors.forename: Wendy Mann
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Woith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D057209:Hospital Rapid Response Team; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors