Rapid
Assessment
MCG Health System has formed a Rapid Assessment Team—consisting of an intensive care nurse, respiratory therapist and physician—to help reduce patient mortality and morbidity. The team works alongside the code team in advance of a code to improve the conditions of acutely deteriorating patients, with one important difference: “The Rapid Assessment Team is available 24/7 to rush to the bedside to prevent, not respond to, cardiac arrest. Patients usually show signs that cardiac arrest is imminent, such as low blood pressure, or a change in heart or respiratory rate,” said Dr. John Hitt, who was recently appointed to the newly created position of vice president of outcomes management.
The team is the first piece of a comprehensive patient quality plan that will include improved coding, operational efficiency and data coordination.