Wheeling Hospital’s officials said a new Rapid Response Team is a crucial tool in saving lives.

The first of its kind in the region, the team is on-call 24 hours a day and is deployed when a staff member recognizes patient symptoms that may be life-threatening.

The team consists of a physician, critical care nurse, respiratory therapist, a certified nurse anesthetist and an intravenous therapy nurse.

“The RRT enhances the care and expertise at the patient’s bedside. When the team responds, it determines what further care is required. If necessary, the team stabilizes the patient, communicates with the patient’s physician and assists in transporting the patient to a higher level of care if needed,” said Patricia Torbett, vice president of nursing.

Since the team began operating 12 months ago, Torbett said the hospital has surpassed its goal of reducing cardiac and respiratory arrest by 30 percent.

“Hospitals are able to assemble staff when patients are in cardiac or respiratory arrest. However, the challenge is to assemble the right staff to prevent such arrests from occurring in the first place. The RRT has met that challenge – it’s saving lives,” said Ronald L. Violi, chief executive officer.

Kathy Stahl, director of nursing staff development, said a nationwide study reviewed patients’ conditions 24 hours prior to suffering cardiac arrest. She said the study revealed specific, yet often subtle, changes in a patient’s condition just prior to them experiencing an arrest.

“When our medical staff recognizes these changes, they call for the RRT to investigate and decide what the next steps should be to prevent further deterioration in the patient’s condition,” Stahl said.

“Developing the RRT took plenty of planning and cooperation – from the hospital floor to the administrative offices. Our goal is one of continuous improvement. The slightest change in a patient’s condition could be a sign of trouble. That’s why the team stands ready to intervene.”

In November 2005, Wheeling Hospital became one of 16 West Virginia hospitals and one of 2,300 nationwide, to join the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 100,000 Lives Campaign.

The institute’s goal is to reduce the number of unintended deaths by 100,000 over an 18-month period and maintain such progress each year thereafter.

-Renee Cardelli, NEWS9