Features of the triggering of the yellow code and factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the characteristics of the activation of the yellow code in wards and identify the factors associated with adverse events after the Rapid Response Team. METHODS: a cross-sectional study with retrospective analysis of medical records of adults admitted to medical or surgical clinic wards of the University Hospital of São Paulo. RESULTS: among the 91 patients, the most frequent signs of triggers (n=107) were peripheral oxygen saturation of less than 90% (40.2%) and hypotension (30.8%). Regarding the associated factors the research identified each minute of attendance of the Rapid Response Team in the wards increased by 1.2% odds of adverse events (twenty-four unplanned admission in the ICU and one cardiac arrest) in the sample (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: decreased oxygen saturation and hypotension were the main reasons for the triggering, and the length of care was associated with the frequency of adverse events.