Appendix B
Rapid Response Team Initiated by the Patient or Family Member/Visitor
Patient, or Family Member/Visitor is concerned about a change in the patient’s condition and
contacts the Primary Nurse and requests that he/she call the Rapid Response Team/PRRT
or directly dials Ext. 3339 and requests the Operator to call the RRT to the patient’s room.
Operator pages the RRT/PRRT beeper # & enters the
patient’s room number then overhead pages the RRT/PRRT
to the Patient’s Room Number. Operator logs the call.
Primary Nurse stays with
the patient and informs the
RRT/PRRT responders
that the call was
requested by the
pt/fm/visitor & the
assessment findings.
Primary Nurse and Charge Nurse on
The Nursing Unit report to the patient’s
room & ascertain reason for the call.
Begin assessment & treatment.
Is the issue
a complaint?
Yes
Primary & Charge Nurses work
together with the pt.
or family member to resolve
the issue. Guest Services is
contacted as needed.
Primary Nurse documents
that the RRT/PRRT was
requested by
Patient/Family/Visitor
and the reason
Goal is for the RRT/PRRT members to respond within 5 mins.
RR Team = Respiratory Therapist and designated
RRT Nurse Responder;
Intensivist/PA/NP as determined by RRT Nurse
after responding to the Nursing Unit
Pediatric RR Team = Pediatric Nurse, RT, Pediatric Hospitalist,
1W Charge Nurse, and IW CNM if on-site
RRT RN completes the RRT Report form
& forwards it to PI at HMH & copy to ICU
CNM & CNM of Patient’s Nsg Unit
Nurse notifies the
attending Physician when
appropriate & feasible.
Charge nurse
completes Pt/Fm
Satisfaction Survey &
returns to HMH PI
Dept.
A patient, family member/visitor can directly
call the RRT/PRRT or ask the nurse to call the
Rapid Response Team/PRRT if they notice:
•The patient is in a medical emergency and they
are unable to get the attention of his/her nurse.
•A sudden worsening in the person’s condition
when the healthcare team is not present
•If there is a report to healthcare providers of a
serious change in a patient’s condition that is
not receiving the attention deemed appropriate
by the family.
Rev 2/09
Source: Upper Chesapeake Health System
Bel Air, Maryland