| Daviess Community Hospital implemented a new process on November 14th that health care officials say helps medical workers nationwide respond to a “spark” (patient complaints, signs, symptoms) before it becomes a “forest fire” (cardiac or respiratory arrest). The outcome: better patient care.
The new process DCH is introducing is called a Rapid Response Team. Known by some as the Medical Emergency Team, the Rapid Response Team is a team of medical workers who are taking their skills to patients. The purpose of the Rapid Response Team is to bring the expert care of critical care nurses, emergency nurses, and therapists to the patient bedside or wherever it’s needed.
According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, establishing a Rapid Response Team helps hospitals identify patients who are in an unstable condition and those who are likely to suffer cardiac or respiratory arrest before an event occurs. Studies show that by doing so, unnecessary deaths can often be prevented.
Terri Hamilton, RN, Director of Critical Care Services at DCH, says the DCH team includes an ER nurse, an ICU nurse, and a respiratory therapist. “The Team may be activated at any time by any one. Putting the Rapid Response Team into action is based on subtle changes in a patient’s condition,” said Hamilton. “So, if a nurse or therapist or a patient visitor notices a change in the patient’s condition, the Team can respond before a crisis occurs. That team will bring the expert care of our ICU, ER, and Respiratory Care staff to the patients on those units.” | 
The DCH Rapid Response Team is made up of an ICU nurse, ER nurse and a respiratory therapist. Shown are (left to right) Steve Alsman, Respiratory Therapist; Lourdes Peek, Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse; and LaChelle Robbins, Emergency Room Registered Nurse as they check response supplies before starting their shift at DCH. |