Abstract
While there are specific and evidence-based guidelines for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on patients who have lost their pulse or respiratory rate, few implementations have proven to decrease the overall need for and use of CPR. While death is inevitable, rapid response teams (RRTs) have been formed as a possible answer to improving morbidity and mortality by flagging the deteriorating patient prior to a critical decline and cardiac or respiratory arrest. The purpose of this project was to implement a standardized and evidence-based RRT documentation form and a process for reviewing the activation, implementation and outcomes of RRT utilization. Correct understanding of the function and purpose of a RRT and appropriate assessment of a patient’s objective and subjective findings can ultimately improve overall patient health and decrease unanticipated and unwarranted cardiac arrests and the associated outcomes.|Keywords: rapid response team, rapid response system, medical emergency team, early warning signs, failure-to-rescue and deteriorating patient.