Improving rapid response system performance in a Chinese Joint Commission International Hospital

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a regional rapid response system (RRS) implemented in a Chinese Joint Commission International Hospital on the timely treatment of patients with serious adverse events (SAEs). METHODS: Clinical SAEs, activation periods, reasons for RSS activation, and patient outcomes were assessed using SAE response sheets at admission to the hospital and over 31 months of follow-up. RESULTS: We found that 192 events were called by medical staff and 6 were called by auxiliary staff. Reasons for the 385 RRS activations included: unconsciousness (133; 34.5%), and airway obstruction and absent carotid pulse (49 each; 12.7%). The average arrival time of the medical emergency team was 2.4 ± 0.1 minutes. There were 123 (62.1%) RRS activations during daytime working hours (8:00–17:00); CPR was performed in 86 (43.4%) cases. Outcomes of RRS were: vital signs stabilized in 82 (41.4%) patients and 61 (30.8%) patients were transferred to ICU. CONCLUSION: Our experience showed that the regional RRS has led to better integrated multidisciplinary cooperation and reduced time for treating patients with SAEs, resulting in success of the RRS.