Heat Stroke Leading to a Fatal Outcome.

Heat stroke (HS) can cause several physiological changes in the body. In its most severe form, it can cause multi-organ failure including encephalopathy, circulatory shock, liver failure, renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and rhabdomyolysis among others. HS is a preventable condition; however, it can be life-threatening in severe forms.

The effect of a rapid response team on major clinical outcome measures in a community hospital.

Objective: To determine the effect of a rapid response system composed primarily of a rapid response team led by physician assistants on the rates of in-hospital cardiac arrests, total and unplanned intensive care unit admissions, and hospital mortality.

Design: Prospective, controlled, before and after trial.

Setting: A 350-bed nonteaching community hospital.