Factors Inhibiting Staff Nurses from Activation of Rapid Response Team in Private Tertiary Care Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the contributing factors which inhibit the role of nurses in the activation of a rapid response team system in a tertiary care hospital. METHODOLOGY A qualitative exploratory study was carried out using focused group discussion in a private tertiary care hospital. The nurse’s viewpoint was determined regarding the increased frequency of Cardiopulmonary Arrests in 2018 as compared to 2017 in the hospital setting. Data were thematically analyzed. RESULTS Nurses described rapid response teams as “the team comprising of different healthcare professionals equipped with lifesaving resources to patients who need immediate medical care to prevent health deteriorations or the need of intensive care. There is a “Red Flags” criteria established in the hospital setting to activate the RRT system resulting in the quick arrival of a skilled ICU team with needed resources. CONCLUSION Many factors hinder the activation of the Rapid Response Team such as Knowledge about the Rapid Response team, role and responsibility confusion about RRT activation, peer pressure, lack of management support.