THE TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
A Force for Improved Communication and Patient Safety
Eric A. Crawley MD LTC MC USA
Chief, Critical Care, Tripler Army Medical Center
 

Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) implemented a fully funded and executed Rapid Response Team (RRT) on November 1, 2006.   The team has been very well received and is widely perceived as being of great value across the institution.  Executed as a Pilot Study sponsored by MEDCOM Patient Safety, the TAMC RRT demonstrates that RRT’s are feasible, effective and relevant in the Military Healthcare System (MHS).  Dr. Eric Crawley, Chief of Critical Care at TAMC believes the RRT has been a force for positive change in the inpatient venues and has contributed to a safer and more collaborative environment.  In this article Dr. Crawley shares the concepts behind and the motivations prompting the creation of the RRT, interim results and several illustrative cases. "Article continued in the DoD Patient Safety Newsletter Spring 2007..."