TY - JOUR
T1 - Resource use, governance and case load of rapid response teams in Australia and New Zealand in 2014
AU - The Joint College of Intensive Care Medicine and Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Special Interest Group on Rapid Response Systems
AU - Jones, Daryl
AU - Pilcher, David
AU - Boots, Robert
AU - Carter, Angus
AU - Turner, Andrew
AU - Hicks, Peter
AU - Nicholls, Mark
AU - Currey, Judy
AU - Erickson, Simon
AU - Stephens, Dianne
AU - Pinder, Mary
AU - Psirides, Alex
AU - Barrett, Jonathan
AU - Chalwin, Richard
AU - Bellomo, Rinaldo
AU - Hillman, Ken
AU - Buist, Michael
AU - Parker, Jane
AU - Huckson, Sue
AU - ANZICS Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation
PY - 2016/12
Y1 - 2016/12
N2 - Background: Rapid response teams (RRTs) are a mandatory element of Australian national health care policy. However, the uptake, resourcing, case load and funding of RRTs in Australian and New Zealand hospitals remain unknown. Aim: To assess the clinical activity, funding, staffing and governance of RRTs in Australian and New Zealand hospitals. Methods: Survey of Australian and New Zealand hospitals as part of a biannual audit of intensive care resources and capacity. Results: Of 207 hospitals surveyed, 165 (79.7%) participated, including 22 (13.3%) from New Zealand. RRTs were present in 138/143 (95.5%) Australian and 11/22 (50%) New Zealand hospitals equipped with intensive care units (P < 0.001). Additional funding was provided in 43/146 hospitals (29.4%) but was more likely in tertiary ICUs (P < 0.001) and in New Zealand (P = 0.012). ICU staff participated in 147/148 RRTs (99.3%), which involved medical staff only (10.2%), nursing staff only (6.8%), and both medical and nursing staff (76.2%). Isolated ICU nursing involvement was more common in smaller ICUs (P = 0.005), in rural/regional and metropolitan hospitals (P = 0.04), and in New Zealand (P = 0.006). Dedicated ICU outreach registrars and consultants were present in 19/146 hospitals (13.0%) and 14/145 hospitals (9.7%), respectively. The ICU provided oversight for 122/147 RRTs (83%). In the 2013–14 financial year, there were more than 104 000 RRT calls. Conclusion: In cases where data were known, ICU staff provided staff for most RRTs, and oversight for more than 80% of RRTs. However, additional funding for ICU RRT staff and dedicated doctors was relatively uncommon.
AB - Background: Rapid response teams (RRTs) are a mandatory element of Australian national health care policy. However, the uptake, resourcing, case load and funding of RRTs in Australian and New Zealand hospitals remain unknown. Aim: To assess the clinical activity, funding, staffing and governance of RRTs in Australian and New Zealand hospitals. Methods: Survey of Australian and New Zealand hospitals as part of a biannual audit of intensive care resources and capacity. Results: Of 207 hospitals surveyed, 165 (79.7%) participated, including 22 (13.3%) from New Zealand. RRTs were present in 138/143 (95.5%) Australian and 11/22 (50%) New Zealand hospitals equipped with intensive care units (P < 0.001). Additional funding was provided in 43/146 hospitals (29.4%) but was more likely in tertiary ICUs (P < 0.001) and in New Zealand (P = 0.012). ICU staff participated in 147/148 RRTs (99.3%), which involved medical staff only (10.2%), nursing staff only (6.8%), and both medical and nursing staff (76.2%). Isolated ICU nursing involvement was more common in smaller ICUs (P = 0.005), in rural/regional and metropolitan hospitals (P = 0.04), and in New Zealand (P = 0.006). Dedicated ICU outreach registrars and consultants were present in 19/146 hospitals (13.0%) and 14/145 hospitals (9.7%), respectively. The ICU provided oversight for 122/147 RRTs (83%). In the 2013–14 financial year, there were more than 104 000 RRT calls. Conclusion: In cases where data were known, ICU staff provided staff for most RRTs, and oversight for more than 80% of RRTs. However, additional funding for ICU RRT staff and dedicated doctors was relatively uncommon.
KW - rapid response teams (RRTs)
KW - Hospital audit
KW - health care policy
KW - clinical assessment
KW - medical case load
KW - Australia
KW - New Zealand
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85007401822&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 27903210
AN - SCOPUS:85007401822
SN - 1441-2772
VL - 18
SP - 275
EP - 282
JO - Critical Care and Resuscitation
JF - Critical Care and Resuscitation
IS - 4
ER -