Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Screened by the Rapid Response Team and Transferred to Intensive Care Unit in South Korea

Abstract

Abstract Background The rapid response system (RRS) is associated with a reduction in in-hospital mortality. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and outcomes of patients transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) by a rapid response team (RRT). Methods This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included patients from nine hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients who were admitted to the general ward (GW) and required RRS activation were included. Patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and without lactate level or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were excluded. Results A total of 8,228 patients were enrolled, 3,379 were transferred to the ICU. The most common reasons for RRT activation were respiratory distress, sepsis and septic shock. The number of patients who underwent intervenions, the length of hospital stay, 28-day mortality, and in-hospital mortality were higher in the ICU group than in the GW group. Factors that could affect both 28-day and in-hospital mortality included the severity score, low PaO2/FiO2 ratio, higher lactate and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and hospitalization time prior to RRT activation. Conclusion ICU transfer after RRT activation does not significantly affect patient outcomes, highlighting the need for more individualized patient assessments to better individualize ICU transfer and related interventions.