A Bridge Between Cultures for Better Patient Care: A Qualitative Study of the Nurse-Led Rapid Response Team

Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are crucial for patient safety, yet their effectiveness hinges on organisational factors, clinical culture, inter-professional collaboration and ward nurse attitudes. Understanding ward nurses' perceptions is vital for optimising RRT impact on patient care and safety culture.

This study aimed to explore general ward registered nurses' perceptions of nurse-led RRTs, focusing on their collaborative experiences and reasons for team activation.

A qualitative exploratory design was employed. Focus group interviews were conducted with 22 general ward nurses across three Danish hospitals, recruited via purposive sampling. A semi-structured interview guide facilitated discussions. Interpretive content analysis with a hermeneutical approach was used to identify key themes.

Participants expressed a predominantly positive perception of RRTs, encapsulated in the core theme: 'A vital and dynamic resource, benefitting patient care and nursing practice'. Key categories included: 'Perceiving patient safety as the main purpose of RRT', 'Supporting nurses' sense of security', 'Delivering practical assistance and teaching', 'Providing patient-centred care' and 'Fostering constructive communication and collaboration'. Nurses found experienced physicians supportive but expressed greater confidence in RRT-nurses compared to junior physicians. Frustration with a lack of physician involvement in treatment limitation and end-of-life care discussions was also noted.

Nurse-led RRTs are valued by ward nurses, providing essential support and bridging multidisciplinary collaboration and communication. However, limitations in the RRT's teaching role suggest a need for supplementary educational strategies. Shared decision-making regarding treatment limitation and end-of-life care is crucial for maximising RRT benefits.

Findings may have limited transferability due to the study's specific healthcare context.