Abstract
The effectiveness of a Rapid Response Team Intervention (RRTI) in preventing transfer to a higher level of care and decreasing in-hospital mortality has not been firmly established. This retrospective exploratory study examined differences between medical-surgical patients who had an RRTI and those who did not. Results yielded 5 statistically significant differences (P <= .05) between the 2 groups as well as a large variation (range, 0-238 minutes; SD = 87.73 minutes) between time of documentation of RRTI criteria to time in calling an RRTI.