What are the criteria for calling a Rapid Response Team?

Each organization should determine which criteria will be used to call a Rapid Response Team, and educate the staff accordingly.  Several organizations use criteria similar these: 

• Any staff member (nurse, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, physic ian) is worried about the patient
• Acute change in heart rate < 40 or > 130 bpm
• Acute change in systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg
• Acute change in respiratory rate < 8 or > 28 per min
• Acute change in saturation < 90 percent despite O2
• Acute change in conscious state
• Acute change in urinary output to < 50 ml in 4 hours

There are at least two different approaches to the use of criteria.  The first is to educate staff to the criteria and to encourage them to call when any are met or when they are worried about the patient, even though the patient may not meet any criteria.  Another approach is to mandate the staff to call when any criteria are met, thereby setting a different expectation.   

How is the Rapid Response Team notified?

• Use a beeper, with or without overhead page.
• Encourage staff to type in/dial in the patient’s room number to the pager.
• If not in a patient room, dial in the extension for the Rapid Response Team to call back for a location.