Messmer, Anna S; Bärtsch, Gianna; Cioccari, Luca (2024). Prevalence and characteristics of medical emergency teams in Switzerland: a nationwide survey of intensive care units. Minerva anestesiologica, 90(5), pp. 409-416. Minerva Medica 10.23736/S0375-9393.24.17876-5
Full text not available from this repository.BACKGROUND
Medical Emergency Teams (METs) have been implemented in many hospitals worldwide and are considered an integral part of the hospital patient safety system. However, data on prevalence, staffing and activation criteria of METs are scarce. Such data are important as they may help to identify areas of quality improvement and barriers to implementation of rapid response systems (RRS). This survey aimed to analyze current characteristics, prevalence, and organization of METs in Switzerland.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide online survey, inviting physicians' and nurses' representatives from all registered adult intensive care units (ICU) in Switzerland.
RESULTS
Of the 74 hospitals invited to participate in the survey, 57 responded (response rate 77%). We obtained 82 individual responses (from 50 physicians and 32 nurses). Twenty-five hospitals (44%) have a MET in place. In most Swiss hospitals, METs are composed of ICU consultants (64%) and ICU nurses (40%) and are activated by phone, with a usual response time of less than 10 minutes. The most common triggers are single abnormal vital signs (80%), while multiple-parameter warning scores are less commonly used (28%). While more than half of the nurses have regular trainings for their MET members (57%), most MET physicians (63%) do not. Systematic data collection of MET calls occurs in only 43% of institutions. Finally, the most common reasons for not having a MET are staff shortage (44%) and lack of funding (19%).
CONCLUSIONS
Less than 50% of Swiss hospitals with an adult ICU have a MET in place. METs in Switzerland typically include an ICU doctor and an ICU nurse and are available 24/7. Major barriers to MET introduction are staff shortage and lack of funding.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesiology (DINA) > Clinic of Intensive Care |
UniBE Contributor: |
Messmer, Anna Sarah, Bärtsch, Gianna |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
0375-9393 |
Publisher: |
Minerva Medica |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Pubmed Import |
Date Deposited: |
22 May 2024 15:42 |
Last Modified: |
22 May 2024 15:42 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.23736/S0375-9393.24.17876-5 |
PubMed ID: |
38771165 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/196960 |
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