Rapid response systems: a prospective study of response times.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the time taken for delivery of each component of care following patient deterioration and to assess the effect on response times of strategies implemented to improve the system.

Methods: A model identifying the sequence of organizational responses following a patient's unexpected clinical deterioration was developed. The time to key events and interventions from initial deterioration was measured for 3 months in 2005 and again in 2006 at a tertiary care hospital with a rapid response team (RRT) in place.