Nurses’ Experiences with Activating Rapid Response Teams: A Qualitative Study
Loading...
Authors
Fitzgerald, Lindsay
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Rapid Response Team , Nurses
Alternative Title
Abstract
Patient clinical deterioration is a major safety concern. One strategy implemented for healthcare
providers to help improve the timely recognition and response to patient deterioration is the
Rapid Response Team (RRT). Despite this resource, patient deterioration still occurs and delayed
activation of the RRT is one contributing factor. Little is known about the perspectives and
experiences of unit-level (also termed “ward”) nurses related to RRT activation, which is
problematic given they are the ones who are primarily responsible for that process. The purpose
of this study was to understand the experiences of nurses practising on general adult inpatient
medicine units and their activation of the RRT. The research question was addressed with a
descriptive, exploratory qualitative study. Nurses working on a medicine unit at an Ontario
hospital study site were purposively recruited to participate. Semi-structured interviews with the
six participants were held online and audio-video recorded. Inductive, thematic analysis was
used. Eleven themes about the barriers and facilitators to RRT activation, and one overarching
theme—The Self-Imposed Complexity of Deciding to Activate the RRT—resulted in relation to
the nuanced, multi-factorial decision-making process unit-level nurses undertake when
considering activation. This information will inform practice changes surrounding RRT policies,
nursing education about the RRT, and be incentive for future research on optimizing strategies
for RRTs and deteriorating patients.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.