Team of Hospital Experts Immediately Attends to Serious Changes in Patients’ Conditions

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – (October 14, 2005) – As a continuation of its nationally recognized standard for excellent patient care, Delray Medical Center has created its own Rapid Response Team program.  The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is comprised of various hospital experts on whom staff can call to immediately assess serious changes in a patient’s condition for early problem resolution.

 “Every minute is critical to the long-term prognosis of a patient,” says CEO Mitch Feldman.  “We want every staff member to feel empowered to draw upon their medical training and instinct to determine the need for assistance and call the RRT when they feel the need.”

Staff can call the RRT to evaluate serious developments in a patient’s health, including acute changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, level of consciousness and oxygen saturation.  Any situation that raises concern for the patient’s well-being warrants a RRT call, Feldman notes.

Delray Medical Center is a member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 100k Lives Campaign, a program whose goal is to save 100,000 patients’ lives through the implementation of innovative health care processes.  The Rapid Response Team is the hospital’s latest effort to contribute to the campaign’s goal.

The hospital’s leadership team sought input from all levels when formulating the RRT.  “We are extremely proactive in seeking guidance from our physicians, directors and staff,” Chief Nursing Officer Karen Bibbo says.  “Given that our staff continues to exceed patients’ expectations, it stands to reason that we should include their front line experience when creating our Rapid Response Team.”

Delray Medical Center’s RRT functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Monday through Friday, the daytime team consists of an advanced registered nurse practitioner, respiratory therapist, critical care shift manager and clinical manager/director.  At all other times, the team is comprised of a respiratory therapist, critical care supervisor and administrative supervisor. 

Delray Medical Center, part of Tenet South Florida, is a 372-bed acute care hospital located at 5352 Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach.  The community-based hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of south central Palm Beach County for over 20 years.  Delray Medical Center, a state-designated Level II Trauma Center for adults and children, offers a broad array of specialized services, ranging from acute care to rehabilitation, and psychiatric services to outpatient care.  For three consecutive years, Delray Medical Center has been a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades, a leading national health care quality group.  In 2005 and for the fourth year in succession, Delray Medical Center was listed as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient, a leading healthcare information company. The hospital was also honored with the prestigious Tenet Circle of Excellence award in 2005 for outstanding performance.   Delray Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about Delray Medical Center, visit www.delraymedicalctr.com. 

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