Rapid response system adaptations at 40 US hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Management of patients with acute deterioration from novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a particular challenge for rapid response systems (RRSs) due to increased hospital strain and direct risk of infection to RRS team members.

Objective: We sought to characterize RRS structure and protocols adaptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design setting and participants: Internet-based cross-sectional survey of RRS leaders, physicians, and researchers across the United States.

Results: Clinicians from 46 hospitals were surveyed, 40 completed a baseline survey (87%), and 19 also completed a follow-up qualitative survey. Most reported an increase in emergency team resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of sites performing simulation training sessions decreased from 88% before COVID-19 to 53% during the pandemic.

Conclusions: Most RRSs reported pandemic-related adjustments, most commonly through increasing resources and implementation of protocol changes. There was a reduction in the number of sites that performed simulation training.