A medical emergency team designed to quickly assess and manage deteriorating patients outside the intensive care unit (ICU).

Early Warning Score (EWS):

A tool used to identify patients at risk of clinical deterioration, prompting activation of the RRS.

Medical Emergency Team (MET):

The specialized group of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, constituting the RRS, activated in response to a deteriorating patient.

Code Blue:

A hospital-wide emergency code indicating a cardiac or respiratory arrest, often triggering the RRS response.

Trigger Criteria:

Specific signs or symptoms, such as abnormal vital signs, prompting the activation of the RRS.

Critical Care Outreach Nurse:

A nurse with specialized training in critical care who is part of the RRS and assists in the assessment and management of deteriorating patients.

Simulation Training:

Educational exercises involving realistic scenarios to train healthcare providers in recognizing and responding to emergency situations, including RRS activations.

Deteriorating Patient:

A patient whose clinical condition is worsening, requiring prompt intervention to prevent further deterioration.

Huddle:

A brief, informal meeting of the RRS members to discuss patient care and plan the response to a specific activation.

Medical Emergency Response Plan:

Hospital-wide protocols outlining the procedures for responding to medical emergencies, including the activation of the RRS.

Family Liaison:

A designated person from the RRS who communicates with the patient’s family, providing updates and support during critical situations.

Patient Escalation Pathway:

A structured approach outlining the steps to take when a patient’s condition deteriorates, including the activation of the RRS.

Post-Event Review:

A systematic analysis of RRS activations to identify opportunities for improvement in patient care and system response.

Critical Care Pharmacist:

A pharmacist with specialized training in critical care who may be part of the RRS, assisting in medication management during emergencies.