Purpose
This study aimed to explore the roles, facilitators, barriers, and future directions of rapid response teams (RRTs) in Korean hospitals from the perspectives of both RRT and ward nurses.
Methods
Focus group interviews were conducted with 10 RRT nurses and 10 ward nurses across three hospitals that employed RRTs in Korea from August 2021 to February 2022. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes relevant to RRT operations.
Results
The analysis yielded 10 subtopics and 4 main themes: the exploration of RRT's essential roles, the facilitators and barriers impacting RRT operations, and the construction of a blueprint for future systems. Notable barriers included unclear job assignments without legal safeguards, conflict arising from hierarchical structures, and insufficient organizational support. The following facilitators were identified: transformed perceptions through collaborative efforts, organizational recognition and support, and self-reinforcement by demonstrating expertise.
Conclusion
This study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing RRTs in Korean hospitals, including the need for clear role definitions, effective interprofessional collaboration, and organizational support. Based on these findings, future efforts should focus on establishing legal frameworks that define the scope of practice for RRT nurses.

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the influence of the activation of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) through screening unplanned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions.
Methods
A total of 539 cases in which the RRT was activated, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, were analyzed. Data were collected by reviewing rapid response team activity reports and electronic medical records and analyzed using the Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression analysis. The analyzed types of RRT activation were electronic medical record-based screening and activation through direct call.
Results
Patients admitted to the ICU following RRT activation through direct call were twice as likely to experience an unplanned ICU admission than patients for which the RRT was activated through electronic medical record screening (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.05, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.27~3.30). Other variables, including the medical department, activation duration in minutes, total national early warning score, and respiratory distress as the reason for activation (compared to sepsis or septic shock) predicted unplanned ICU admissions.
Conclusion
Electronic medical record screening by RRT may facilitate the early detection and monitoring of physiological deterioration in patients in the general medical ward. This strategy may help prevent unplanned ICU admissions and potentially reduce mortality.

Citations

• The effect of nurses' perceptions and satisfaction with hospital rapid response teams on burnout related to emergency situations in Korea: a cross-sectional study
  Bumin Kim, Nahyun Kim
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2025; 27(2): 234.     CrossRef
• Early Prediction of Sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit Using the GRU-D-MGP-TCN Model
  Seunghee Lee, Geonchul Shin, Jeongseok Hwang, Yunjeong Hwang, Hyunwoo Jang, Ju Han Park, Sunmi Han, Kyeongmin Ryu, Jong-Yeup Kim
  IEEE Access.2024; 12: 148294.     CrossRef
• Nursing Students’ Clinical Judgment and Performance in Simulation of Recognizing and Responding of the Deterioriating Patient ; a retrospective mixed-methods
  Yi Kyung Ha
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2023; 16(2): 42.     CrossRef
• Effects of a Rapid Response Team on the Clinical Outcomes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Patients Hospitalized in General Wards
  Mi-Jung Yoon, Jin-Hee Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2021; 28(4): 491.     CrossRef