Study: Rapid response teams associated with declining child mortality rates

Patient Safety Monitor Alert

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November 28, 2007

A new study published in the November 21 Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the child mortality rate declined by 18% after a rapid response team was implemented on the unit. The study used a 264-bed unit outside of the intensive care unit in a children's hospital to study the effects.

The rapid response teams were called when patients experienced changes in their vital signs, the most common being respiratory distress. During the 19-month intervention, it's estimated that 32.9 lives were saved.

To see the full study, click here. (Log in may be required.)