ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0177-5356
Current Organisation
University of Adelaide
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Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/AH15138
Abstract: Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate experiences of staff interactions and non-technical skills (NTS) at rapid response team (RRT) calls, and their association with repeat RRT calls. Methods Mixed-methods surveys were conducted of RRT members and staff who activate the RRT (RRT users) for their perceptions and attitudes regarding the use of NTS during RRT calls. Responses within the survey were recorded as Likert items, ranked data and free comments. The latter were coded into nodes relating to one of four NTS domains: leadership, communication, cooperation and planning. Results Two hundred and ninety-seven (32%) RRT users and 79 (73.8%) RRT members provided responses. Of the RRT user respondents, 76.5% had activated the RRT at some point. Deficits in NTS at RRT calls were revealed, with 36.9% of users not feeling involved during RRT calls and 24.7% of members perceiving that users were disinterested. Unresolved user clinical concerns, or persistence of RRT calling criteria, were reasons cited by 37.6% and 23%, respectively, of RRT users for reactivating an RRT to the same patient. Despite recollections of conflict at previous RRT calls, 92% of users would still reactivate the RRT. The most common theme in the free comments related to deficiencies in cooperation (52.9%), communication (28.6%) and leadership (14.3%). Conclusions This survey of RRT users and members revealed problems with RRT users’ and members’ interactions at the time of an RRT call. Both users and members considered NTS to be important, but lacking. These findings support NTS training for RRT members and users. What is known about the topic? Previous surveying has related experiences of criticism and conflict between clinical staff at RRT activations. This leads to reluctance to call the RRT when indicated, with risks to patient safety, especially if subsequent RRT activation is necessary. Training in NTS has improved clinician interactions in simulated emergencies, but the exact role of NTS during RRT calls has not yet been established. What does this paper add? The present survey examined experienced clinicians’ perceptions of the use of NTS at RRT calls and the effect on subsequent calling. A key finding was a disparity between perceptions of how RRT members interact with those activating the RRT (RRT users) and their performance of NTS. This was reflected with unresolved RRT user clinical concern at the time of a call. In turn, this affected RRT users’ attitudes and intentions to reactivate the RRT. Formal handover was considered desirable by both RRT users and members. What are the implications for practitioners? The interface between the RRT and those who call the RRT is crucial. This survey shows that RRT users desire to be included in the management of the deteriorating patient and have their concerns addressed before completion of RRT attendance. Failure to do so results in repeat activations to the same patient, with the potential for adverse patient outcomes. Training to include NTS, especially around handover, for RRT members may address this issue and should be explored further.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-03-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0265485
Abstract: Repeat Rapid Response Team (RRT) calls are associated with increased in-hospital mortality risk and pose an organisation-level resource burden. Use of Non-Technical Skills (NTS) at calls has the potential to reduce potentially preventable repeat calling. NTS are usually improved through training, although this consumes time and financial resources. Re-designing the Rapid Response System (RRS) to promote use of NTS may provide a feasible alternative. A pre-post observational study was undertaken to assess the effect of an RRS re-design that aimed to promote use of NTS during RRT calls. The primary outcome was the proportion of admissions each month subject to repeat RRT calling, and the average number of repeat calls per admission each month was the secondary outcome of interest. Univariate and multivariable interrupted time series analyses compared outcomes between the two study phases. The proportion of admissions with repeat calls each month increased across both phases of the study period, but the increase was lower in the post re-design phase (change in regression slope -0.12 (standard error 0.07) post versus pre re-design). The multivariable model predicted a 6% reduction (95% confidence interval -15.1–3.1 P = 0.19) in the proportion of admissions having repeat calls at the end of the post redesign phase study compared to the predicted proportion in the absence of the re-design. The average number of calls per admission was also predicted to decrease in the post re-design phase, with an estimated difference of -0.07 calls per admission (equivalent to one fewer repeat call per 14 patients who had RRT calls) at the end of the post re-design phase (95% confidence interval -0.23–0.08, P = 0.35). This study of an RRS re-design showed modest, but not statistically significant, reductions in the proportion of admissions with repeat calls and the mean number of repeat calls per admission. Given the economic and workforce capacity issues that all health care systems now face, even small improvements in the RRS may have lasting impact across the organisation. For the potential interest of RRS managers, this paper presents a pragmatic, low-cost initiative intended to enhance communication and cooperation at RRT calls.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCJQ.2018.10.005
Abstract: Previous publications noted increased mortality risk in patients subject to repeat rapid response team (RRT) calls. These patients were examined as a homogenous group, but there may be many reasons for repeat calls. Those potentially preventable by the rapid response system have not been investigated. In a retrospective cohort study, patients with potentially preventable repeat calls were classified into two categories: type 1 (patients who had a repeat call following an initial call that ended despite the patient still triggering RRT calling criteria [T1-PRC]) and type 2 (patients with a repeat call within 24 hours of an initial call and for the same reason [T2-PRC]). In-hospital mortality for these patients and for those with repeat calls for all other reasons (ORC) were compared to patients with only a single call during their admission (SC). Mortality occurred in 31 (43.7%) T1-PRC, 13 (15.1%) T2-PRC, 56 (28.9%) ORC, and 289 (13.9%) SC patients. Univariate odds ratios (ORs), in comparison to SC patients, were 4.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.96-7.81 p < 0.001), 1.10 (95% CI: 0.60-2.02 p = 0.75), and 2.52 (95% CI: 1.80-3.52 p < 0.001), respectively. Mortality effects persisted for the T1-PRC and ORC groups after adjustment for patient, admission, and initial call characteristics with ORs of 4.07 (95% CI: 2.36-7.01 p < 0.001) and 2.29 (95% CI: 1.57-3.34 p < 0.001), respectively. This study found that repeat calls following an initial call that ended with ongoing breach of predefined calling criteria were strongly associated with increased mortality. This highlights the risk to patients when the RRT leaves reversible clinical deterioration unresolved at the end of a call.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2013
DOI: 10.1111/IMJ.12172
Abstract: Efforts are ongoing to improve outcomes from cardiac arrest and medical emergencies. A promising quality improvement modality is use of non-technical skills (NTS) that aim to address human factors through improvements in performance of leadership, communication, situational awareness and decision-making. Originating in the airline industry, NTS training has been successfully introduced into anaesthesia, surgery, emergency medicine and other acute medical specialities. Some aspects of NTS have already achieved acceptance for cardiac arrest teams. Leadership skills are emphasised in advanced life support training and have shown favourable results when employed in simulated and clinical resuscitation scenarios. The application of NTS in medical emergency teams as part of a rapid response system attending medical emergencies is less certain however, observations of simulations have also shown promise. This review highlights the potential benefits of NTS competency for cardiac arrest teams and, more importantly, medical emergency teams because of the ersity of clinical scenarios encountered. Discussion covers methods to assess and refine NTS and NTS training to optimise performance in the clinical environment. Increasing attention should be applied to yielding meaningful patient and organisational outcomes from use of NTS. Similarly, implementation of any training course should receive appropriate scrutiny to refine team and institutional performance.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.AMJ.2011.06.008
Abstract: Transporting acutely psychotic patients is hazardous because of the risks they present to themselves, escorting staff, and aircraft. Various strategies have been proposed, usually involving combinations of sedating drugs and physical restraint. Thus far, none guarantees safe retrieval while completely mitigating risks. This case proposes the use of propofol as an alternative to more traditionally used agents. An infusion facilitated the uneventful and safe retrieval of a patient who had demonstrated resistance and tolerance to other drugs. Discussion is also presented on the potential utility of propofol for the retrieval of acutely psychotic patients.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12913-020-05260-Z
Abstract: Rapid Response Team (RRT) calls are clinical crises. Clinical and time pressures can hinder effective liaison between staff who call the RRT (‘users’) and those responding as part of the RRT (‘members’). Non-technical skills (NTS) training has been shown to improve communication and cooperation but requires time and financial resources that may not be available in acute care hospitals. Rapid Response System (RRS) re-design, aiming to promote use of NTS, may provide an alternative approach to improving interactions within RRTs and between members and users. Re-design of an existing mature RRS was undertaken in a tertiary, metropolitan hospital incorporating the addition of: 1) regular RRT meetings 2) RRT role badges and 3) a structured member-to-user patient care responsibility “hand-off” process. To compare experiences and perceptions of calls, users and members were surveyed pre and post re-design. Post re-design there were improvements in members’ understanding of RRT roles ( P = 0.03) and responsibilities ( P 0.01), and recollection of introducing themselves to users ( P = 0.02). For users, after the re-design, there were improvements in identification of the RRT leader ( P 0.01), and in the development of clinical plans for patients remaining on the ward at the end of an RRT call ( P 0.01). However, post-re-design, fewer users agreed that the structured hand-off was useful or that they should be involved in the process. Both members and users reported fewer experiences of conflict at RRT calls post-re-design (both P 0.01). The RRS re-design yielded improvements in interactions between members in RRTs and between RRT members and users. However, some unintended consequences arose, particularly around user satisfaction with the structured hand-off. These findings suggest that refinement and improvement of the RRS is possible, but should be an ongoing iterative effort, ideally supported by staff training. NCT01551160 . Registered: 12th March 2012.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Richard Chalwin.