A group of healthcare professionals, typically including a physician, nurse, and respiratory therapist, that assembles quickly at a patient’s bedside to assess and treat individuals exhibiting signs of clinical deterioration. These teams provide immediate intervention for patients before critical events such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure occur. The activation criteria for these teams often include changes in vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation), altered mental status, or other concerning clinical findings.
The implementation of such teams improves patient outcomes by providing early recognition and treatment of deteriorating patients. This can lead to decreased rates of cardiac arrest, unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and mortality. The establishment of these teams represents a proactive approach to patient safety, fostering a culture of early intervention and preventing adverse events. Historically, the development of such teams emerged from a growing understanding of the preventable nature of many in-hospital deaths and the need for a system to address subtle yet critical changes in a patient’s condition before they escalate into emergencies.
