Abstract
Rapid response systems and MET teams are now recognised as integral components of patient safety measures in health care. While their roles have continued to evolve over the last two decades, most healthcare systems have adopted a model of ICU-led MET teams. We review the current role of ICU-led MET teams within the healthcare ecosystem, including their scope, structure, governance, and contribution to system-wide quality and safety approaches. We also explore the increasing input of rapid response systems into areas of health care not within the traditional remit of intensive care medicine, from end-of- life decision-making to clinical governance, and the increasing reliance of ward-based teams on support from their colleagues in ICU to provide safe, high-quality patient-centric care in modern healthcare systems.