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Resuscitation
One-Hour Concurrent Session

Who Is on the SWAT Team: Does the Rapid Response Team Need a Doc?

Monday, February 24, 2025
3:15pm – 4:15pm Eastern Time
Location: W224GH
CE: 1

When patients have an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) or clinical deterioration, the rapid response team (RRT) is activated to apply resuscitation efforts. Controversy exists regarding the optimal structure of RRTs and how such teams should be associated with outcomes of patients with clinical deterioration. Some RRTs include intensivists while others do not. Some RRTs do not even have a respiratory therapist. Hospitals are struggling to staff their RRTs in light of staff shortages and lack of clear guidelines. This session will discuss evidence to support a multidisciplinary RRT and whether a physician-led RRT would result in the same outcomes as a non-physician-led RRT.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the benefits and controversies of rapid response teams (RRTs)
  • Explain the benefits of a physician-led multidisciplinary RRT in terms of patient outcomes
  • Compare and contrast physician-led RRTs with non-physician-led RRTs in terms of patient outcomes

Presentations:

  • 3:20pm – 3:40pm Eastern Time
    The RRT Does Not Need a Doc

    Mindy Conklin – n/a

  • 3:40pm – 4:00pm Eastern Time
    The RRT Does Need a Doc

    Jessica Downing, MD – University of Maryland Medical Center