Business memo 10/10/05

Saint Francis initiates rapid response team

Saint Francis Medical Center initiated a Rapid Response Team on Oct. 1. The RRT was established to ensure rapid care is given in response to a patient with deteriorating signs and symptoms before a cardiac arrest occurs. Research shows that most patients who experience cardiac arrests have warning signs for six to eight hours before the event occurs. Early detection and interventions for such patients can prevent heart attacks, get patients to the Intensive Care Unit and decrease mortality rates. Saint Francis has been establishing the RRT for the past eight months.

-- From staff reports