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Response Team Trigger. Notifies unit manager/designate. 1.1 Staff member returns to patient and remains there until to communicate with and assist the Rapid Response Team. 2. Unit manager/designate calls the attending physician stat. If the attending physician does not respond within five minutes, the unit manager/designate calls 66# to activate the Rapid Response Team. 2.1 Switchboard activates Rapid Response pagers (and Respiratory pagers at the MCH), and announces “Rapid Response Team to (location) on the overhead system. 3. The unit manager/designate notifies the attending physician, resident/nurse practitioner on call, and any other required healthcare provider. 4. The Rapid Response Team assesses, initiates treatment, attempts to stabilize and establishes a plan of care for the patient. 4.1 ICU care not medically appropriate; patient will remain on ward, 4.2 Patient condition stabilized and will remain on ward, or 4.3 Patient requires urgent transfer to ICU* If an immediate transfer to Critical Care is not possible, the Rapid Response Team nurse or delegate will notify the charge nurse in the Emergency Department and plan to transfer the patient to the Emergency Department. 5. Debriefing occurs with the patient’s care provider team. Related Documents Activation of the Rapid Response Team Process Flowchart - attached Staff Responsibilities and Accountabilities - attached Revisions March 12, 2009 Rapid Response Team Activation Date Effective October 1, 2014 Policy No. II-7 Page 3 of 10 The Activation of the Rapid Response Team Process is outlined in the following flowchart Rapid Response Team Activation Date Effective October 1, 2014 Policy No. II-7 Page 4 of 10 APPENDIX STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES This appendix outlines the responsibilities of unit nursing staff, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners and physicians who request the Rapid Response Team. Unit nursing staff, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners and physicians who request the Rapid Response Team are encouraged to participate by assisting the Rapid Response Team, which consists of a nurse, respiratory therapist, nurse practitioner/clinical associate/intensivist. UNIT NURSING STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR: 1. Recognizing the physiological triggers that warrant a Rapid Response Team intervention 2. Calling 66# to activate the Rapid Response Team 3. Contacting the patient’s attending physician five minutes prior to the call for Rapid Response Team. 4. Uses the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendations) form of communication when relaying information to care providers. 5. Explaining the Rapid Response Team role to patients and their families. 6. Ensuring the patient’s room is equipped with suction, oxygen and resuscitation basket. 7. Having chart and medication administration record (MAR) available for the Rapid Response Team. 8. Providing Rapid Response Team with the patient’s admission diagnosis. 9. Providing the Rapid Response Team with a brief overview of the patient’s current condition including vital signs; intake/output; neurological vital signs, current lab work (eg. ABG’s haemoglobin, platelet count WBC, potassium and magnesium values) and any recent changes to the patient’s condition. 10. Reporting any medications that are infusing. 11. Assisting the Rapid Response Team in the care of the patient by: • assembling required IV lines and other supplies - eg. chest tubes, cut down tray, etc. • administering required blood products • assisting with diagnostic procedures, eg. chest X-ray, E.C.G., etc. • contacting other services as directed • assisting with and/or documenting care interventions on the patient record as required • providing care, monitoring and following up as directed by the Rapid Response Team 12. Activating a Code Blue or activating the emergency call bell as directed by the Rapid Response Team, in the event the patient has a cardiac arrest. Rapid Response Team Activation Date Effective October 1, 2014 Policy No. II-7 Page 5 of 10 13. Photocopying and completing all required documents for the patient’s chart. 14. Attending the debriefing session with the Rapid Response Team post call. 15. Completing and