IN hospital system launches family-initiated RRT
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
September 26, 2007
Indianapolis-based Community Health Network this month launched a rapid response team (RRT) that can be initiated by patients or their families, according to an Indianapolis Star article.The five-hospital system launched the Call FIRST (Family Initiated Rapid Screening Team) program to provide patients and their family members with access to a special in-hospital telephone number to call if they have serious concerns about the patient's condition or the care being provided. A nursing supervisor or consult nurse will be at the patient's bedside within 15 minutes to assess the patient and his or her care.
Community Health noted that the program is for serious concerns, not routine questions or complaints. One patient has used the phone line since the program began September 1; hospital officials said the call was made for a nonlife-threatening situation that was resolved.
The Community Health program is based on the Condition H program started by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2005.
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