Document Detail


Patient safety on the otolaryngology service: the role of an established rapid response system.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19955464     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To study the medical emergencies occurring on a tertiary otolaryngology service identified using a rapid response system (RRS).
DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of RRS activations during 21 months.
SETTING: Specialised otolaryngology care unit within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian/Montefiore Hospital, a tertiary, academic, teaching hospital in the USA. Intervention(s): None.
RESULTS: 1171 unit admissions. Unit mortality was 5.1/1000 admissions. 53 patients were involved in 67 RRS activations (4/53 deaths). 32 of 67 events were due to respiratory derangements, most commonly pneumonia. 18 of 67 events were due to cardiovascular abnormalities, most commonly hypertension and myocardial infarction. 11 of 67 events were secondary to mental status changes, several of which were related to adverse drug events. 6 of 67 events were secondary to acute bleeding. 23 of 67 events occurred within 24 h of patient transfer/admission, 14 of those after operations. RRS activation was a marker for in-hospital death (RR 42.2, 95% CI 7.9 to 225.2) compared with that in patients not activating the RRS.
CONCLUSIONS: Although otolaryngology care units attempt to prevent adverse events, emergencies still occur. RRSs identify deteriorating otolaryngology patients who are at increased risk for mortality. RRSs are an efficient mechanism of intervention during a medical emergency. RRSs provide a convenient method of identifying medical/system errors and educational opportunities.
Authors:
C L Oliver; M A Devita; C J Dunwoody; J T Johnson; J C Sok; R L Simmons
Related Documents :
9709334 - Emt knowledge of ambulance traffic laws.
21665384 - Characteristics associated with the diversion of controlled medications among adolescents.
14666834 - Physician leadership: influence on practice-based learning and improvement.
8264924 - Design, implementation, and preliminary results of an emergency medical technician-inte...
15694884 - Designing the design phase of critical care devices: a cognitive approach.
388104 - Psychological contributions to chronicity in asthma: patient response styles influencin...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Quality & safety in health care     Volume:  18     ISSN:  1475-3901     ISO Abbreviation:  Qual Saf Health Care     Publication Date:  2009 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-12-03     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101136980     Medline TA:  Qual Saf Health Care     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  496-9     Citation Subset:  H    
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Surgical Specialists, 799 E. Hampden Ave. Suite 530, Englewood, CO 80113, USA. christopher.oliver@healthonecares.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  An engineered solution to the maladministration of spinal injections.
Next Document:  A reduction in cardiac arrests and duration of clinical instability after implementation of a paedia...