Association Between Rapid Response Algorithms and Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Children

To evaluate whether the implementation of clinical pathways, known as pediatric rapid response algorithms, within an existing rapid response system was associated with an improvement in clinical outcomes of hospitalized children.

We retrospectively identified patients admitted to the PICU as unplanned transfers from the general medical and surgical floors at a single, freestanding children's hospital between July 1, 2017, and January 31, 2020. We examined the impact of the algorithms on the rate of critical deterioration events. We used multivariable Poisson regression and an interrupted time series analysis to measure 2 possible types of change: an immediate implementation effect and an outcome trajectory over time.

We identified 892 patients (median age: 4 [interquartile range: 1-12] years): 615 in the preimplementation group, and 277 in the postimplementation group. Algorithm implementation was not associated with an immediate change in the rate of critical deterioration events but was associated with a downward rate trajectory over time and a postimplementation trajectory that was significantly less than the preimplementation trajectory (trajectory difference of -0.28 events per 1000 non-ICU patient days per month; 95% confidence interval -0.40 to -0.16; P < .001).

Algorithm implementation was associated with a decrease in the rate of critical deterioration events. Because of the study's observational nature, this association may have been driven by unmeasured confounding factors and the chosen implementation point. Nevertheless, the results are a promising start for future research into how clinical pathways within a rapid response system can improve care of hospitalized patients.