Satisfaction of nurses and physicians with the introduction of the rapid response system in Dutch hospitals

Background: Rapid Response Systems (RRSs) have been introduced in hospitals to improve recognition of and response to deteriorating hospital ward patients. The value of an RRS depends not only on relevant patient outcomes but also on how satisfied nurses and physicians are with the system. The aim of the study was to measure the degree of satisfaction with an RRS and analyse factors influencing the degree of implementation. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed among physicians and nurses on medical and surgical wards participating in the COMET study at 7 and 14 months after introduction of a Rapid Response Team (RRT). The questionnaires included 24 questions regarding the use and the degree of satisfaction with the Modified Early Warning Score MEWS/SBAR tool and the RRT. Results: The response rate was 1005/1920 (52%). Satisfaction with implementation of the RRS was generally higher at t=14 compared with t=7 months and in respondents working on surgical versus medical wards. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of high satisfaction were timing of the questionnaire (14 months versus 7 months after the start of an RRT), the support of the RRT system by local ward management, and having an RRT that was considered to be open and approachable. Conclusions: Our findings show that healthcare workers on hospital wards are generally very satisfied with the services offered by the RRT, the use of the MEWS instrument to recognise deteriorating patients and the SBAR communication tool to improve communication between nurses and doctors. Satisfaction with the RRT was higher at 14 months compared with 7 months.