Triggers for emergency team activation: A multicenter assessment

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dc.contributor.authorChen, J.
dc.contributor.authorBellomo, R.
dc.contributor.authorHillman, K.
dc.contributor.authorFlabouris, A.
dc.contributor.authorFinfer, S.
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstract<h4>Purpose</h4>The purpose of the study was to examine triggers for emergency team activation in hospitals with or without a medical emergency team (MET) system.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Within a cluster randomized controlled trial examining the effect of introducing a MET system, we recorded the triggers for emergency team activation. We compared the proportion and rate of such triggers in hospitals with or without a MET system and in relation to type of hospital, type of patient ward, and time of day.<h4>Results</h4>In control hospitals, the most common trigger for emergency team activation was a decrease in Glasgow Coma Score by 2 or more points (45.6%), whereas in MET hospitals, it was the fact that staff members were "worried" or the call occurred despite the lack of a "specified reason" (39.3%). In particular, MET hospitals were 35 times more likely to make a call because of staff being "worried" about the patient (14.1% vs 0.4%, P < .001). Control hospitals were also significantly more likely to call an emergency team because of a deteriorating respiratory (P = .003) or pulse (P < .001) rate, more calls had at least 3 triggers for activation (20.8% vs 10.2%, P = .036), and the average number of triggers per call was significantly higher (P = .013). Nonmetropolitan hospitals were more likely to call an emergency team because of respiratory rate abnormalities (33.6% vs 23.2%, P = .015). Coronary care unit calls were more likely to be triggered by abnormalities in pulse rate and systolic blood pressure, and more calls occurred during the period from 6:00 am to noon.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In MET hospitals, more emergency team calls are triggered because staff members are worried about the patient; and fewer calls have multiple triggers. Type of hospital, type of ward, and time of day also affect the nature and frequency of triggers for emergency team activation.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityJack Chen, Rinaldo Bellomo, Ken Hillman, Arthas Flabouris, Simon Finfer, the MERIT Study Investigators for the Simpson Centre and the ANZICS Clinical Trials Group
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Critical Care, 2010; 25(2):1-7
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jcrc.2009.12.011
dc.identifier.issn0883-9441
dc.identifier.issn1557-8615
dc.identifier.orcidFlabouris, A. [0000-0002-1535-9441]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/62807
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherW B Saunders Co
dc.rightsCopyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2009.12.011
dc.subjectMedical emergency team
dc.subjectRapid response system
dc.subjectRapid response team
dc.subjectCritical care
dc.titleTriggers for emergency team activation: A multicenter assessment
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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