Assessment and early warning signs of deterioration in hospitalized patients

Efficient assessment methods and early warning systems are crucial to prevent events like arrest, unexpected transfers to the intensive care unit (ICU) or even death. This in-depth review delves into the aspects of evaluating and handling early warning indicators of deterioration among patients admitted to hospitals. The primary emphasis lies in identifying any signs of decline by observing and tracking indicators, like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature and oxygen saturation. Standardized assessments like the modified early warning score (MEWS) play a role in assessing the seriousness of a patient’s condition while rapid response teams (RRTs) provide interdisciplinary interventions. Personalized care plans, customized medication management and the inclusion of support highlight an approach. Continuously reevaluating patients and providing education for healthcare professionals underscores the nature of patient care. Despite advancements in technology that enable real time monitoring challenges such as alarm fatigue and the need for consistent staff training persist. This review concludes that a comprehensive strategy combining expertise standardized assessments and technological support is vital for managing early warning signs of deterioration to ultimately enhance patient outcomes in hospital environments.

Participación de los equipos de respuesta rápida de tromboembolia pulmonar durante el perioperatorio / Participation of pulmonary embolism response teams during the perioperative period

Resumen La tromboembolia pulmonar aguda representa una causa frecuente de morbimortalidad cardiovascular, sólo rebasada por los síndromes coronarios agudos y la enfermedad cerebrovascular. El inicio y la intervención de un equipo multidisciplinario de respuesta rápida en la tromboembolia pulmonar son imperantes para mejorar el pronóstico y reducir al mínimo las posibles secuelas en el subgrupo de pacientes más graves. En este artículo de revisión se describe y revisa de manera general el papel actual y potencial que tienen dichos equipos de respuesta rápida, con un enfoque particular en el perioperatorio.

Abstract Acute pulmonary embolism represents a frequent cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, only exceeded by acute coronary syndromes and cerebrovascular disease. The start-up and implementation of a designated pulmonary embolism response team is necessary to improve prognosis and minimize long-term sequelae in the subgroup of patients with significant pulmonary embolism. Herein, we describe and discuss an overview of the current and potential role of pulmonary embolism response teams, with a focus on the perioperative period.

The Hospital Zambrano Hellion venous thromboembolism rapid response team (PREVENTION-team): Improving pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis patient care / Equipo de respuesta rápida para tromboembolismo venoso del Hospital Zambrano Hellion (PREVENTION-Team): Mejorando el manejo del tromboembolismo pulmonar y trombosis venosa profunda

Abstract Background: Fast-track worldwide reperfusion programs improve outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and stroke. Similar programs called Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) focus on submassive and massive pulmonary embolism (PE) excluding deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods: PREVENTION-team (Hospital Zambrano Hellion Venous Thromboembolism [VTE] Rapid Response). Primary objective: Fast-track stratification, diagnostics, and treatment (60-90 min) to improve proximal DVT and submassive and massive PE patients care. Secondary objectives: Increase diagnosis rate of low-risk PE and distal DVT; exploration of cause; long-term anticoagulation; identify high-risk profile for chronic complications; community-based support groups and patient education to extend the concept of the thrombosis-free hospital to thrombosis-free home. Structure and organization: The team includes cardiologists, vascular medicine, angiologist, echocardiographer, cardiovascular imaging, and interventional cardiologists. The team will be accessible 24 h a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and base on previous national experience. The cardiology fellow on call will be responsible for activation and evaluation. We will design several tools to accelerate these processes. Risk stratification and therapeutic approach will be based on clinical presentation, echocardiogram, and biomarkers findings. According to PERT stratification based on resources and medical specialties, Hospital Zambrano Hellion has level 1 PERT. PREVENTION-team links physicians with different expertise, provide fast, efficient, and time-saving treatment, potentially saving lives and reducing bleeding and chronic complications in VTE patients. Finally, establishing a network in our hospital and health system to improve VTE patients care. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first rapid response team focused on VTE in Mexico.

Resumen Antecedentes: Programas de reperfusión mejoraron la evolución en infarto con elevación del ST y accidente cerebrovascular embólico. Programas similares llamados PERT para TEP masiva o submasiva excluyen TVP. Métodos: Equipo PREVENTION (Hospital Zambrano Hellion Venous Thromboembolism Rapid Response). Objetivo primario: Estratificación, diagnóstico y tratamiento acelerado (60-90 minutos) para mejorar atención del TVP proximal y TEP masiva o submasiva. Objetivos secundarios: Incrementar diagnóstico de TEP de riesgo bajo y TVP distal; explorar causa; anticoagulación a largo plazo; perfil de riesgo alto para complicaciones crónicas; grupos de soporte en la comunidad y educación para pacientes, y extender el concepto de hospital libre de trombosis a hogar libre de trombosis. Estructura y organización: Incluye cardiólogos, medicina vascular, angiólogo, ecocardiografistas, imagen cardiovascular. Basado en experiencia nacional, el equipo estará accesible 24 horas del día, siete días de la semana, 365 días del año. El residente de cardiología realizará la activación y estratificación. Diseñamos herramientas para acelerar el proceso. La estratificación de riesgo y el abordaje terapéutico se basará en presentación clínica, hallazgos ecocardiograficos y biomarcadores. El Hospital Zambrano Hellion tiene nivel PERT 1 de acuerdo a la estratificación PERT basada en recursos y especialidades. Equipo-PREVENTION en TEV vincula médicos con diferentes capacidades, ofrece rápido y eficiente tratamiento para preservar vidas y reducir complicaciones hemorrágicas y crónicas. En nuestro hospital y sistema de salud establecer una sólida red de trabajo para mejorar la atención. Hasta nuestro conocimiento, en México este podría ser el primer equipo de respuesta rápida enfocado en TEV.

Evaluation of the performance of the modified early warning score in a Brazilian public hospital / Evaluación del desempeño de la puntuación de alerta temprana modificada en un hospital público brasileño / Avaliação do desempenho do escore de alerta precoce modificado em hospital público brasileiro

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the performance of the modified early warning score (Mews) in a nursing ward for patients in clinical deterioration. Method: This is an analytical, quantitative and predictive study. Mews' parameters (systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and level of consciousness) were evaluated every six hours. The following events were reported: death, cardiopulmonary arrest and transfer to intensive care. The evaluations were performed in a hospital of reference in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: A total of 300 patients were included (57 ± 18 years old, males: 65%). There number of combined events was observed to be greater the higher the score's value (00%; 00%; 01; 09%; 19%; 28%; 89%, respectively, for Mews 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 and 6; p < 0.0001). Mews ≥ 4 was the most appropriate cut-off point for prediction of these events (sensitivity: 87%, specificity: 85% and accuracy: 0.86). Conclusion: Mews properly measured the occurrence of severe events in hospitalized patients of a Brazilian public hospital's nursing ward. Mews ≥ 4 seems to be the most appropriate cut-off point for prediction of these events.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño de la puntuación de alerta temprana modificada (Mews) en una enfermería de pacientes con deterioro clínico. Método: Se trata de un estudio analítico, cuantitativo y predictivo. Los parámetros Mews (presión arterial sistólica, frecuencia cardíaca, frecuencia respiratoria, temperatura y nivel de conciencia) se evaluaron cada 6 horas. Se registraron los siguientes eventos: muerte, parada cardiorrespiratoria y transferencia para la terapia intensiva. Las evaluaciones se realizaron en un hospital de referencia del interior del estado de São Paulo. Resultados: Participaron 300 pacientes (57 ± 18 años; sexo masculino: 65%). Se observó un número creciente de eventos asociados según el mayor valor de la puntuación (00%; 00%; 01%; 09%; 19%; 28%; 89%, respectivamente, para los Mews 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 y 6; p <0,0001). Los Mews ≥ 4 fueron el punto de corte más adecuado para la predicción de estos eventos (sensibilidad: 87%; especificidad: 85%; y exactitud: 0,86). Conclusión: Los Mews permitieron estimar adecuadamente la ocurrencia de eventos graves en pacientes hospitalizados en la enfermería de un hospital público brasileño. Los Mews ≥ 4 parece ser el punto de corte más adecuado para predecirlos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho do escore de alerta precoce modificado (Mews) em uma enfermaria de pacientes em deterioração clínica. Método: Trata-se de um estudo analítico, quantitativo e preditivo. Os parâmetros do Mews (pressão arterial sistólica, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, temperatura e nível de consciência) foram avaliados de 6 em 6 horas. Os seguintes eventos foram registrados: óbito, parada cardiorrespiratória e transferência para terapia intensiva. As avaliações foram realizadas em um hospital de referência do interior do estado de São Paulo. Resultados: Foram incluídos 300 pacientes (57 ± 18 anos, sexo masculino: 65%). Observou-se número crescente de eventos combinados de acordo com o maior valor do escore (00%; 00%; 01%; 09%; 19%; 28%; 89%, respectivamente, para os Mews 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 e 6; p < 0,0001). Mews ≥ 4 foi o ponto de corte mais adequado para predição destes eventos (sensibilidade: 87%, especificidade: 85% e acurácia: 0,86). Conclusão: Mews mensura adequadamente a ocorrência de eventos graves em pacientes hospitalizados em enfermaria de um hospital público brasileiro. Mews ≥ 4 parece ser o ponto de corte mais adequado para predição destes eventos.

Efetividade do uso de times de resposta rápida para reduzir a ocorrência de parada cardíaca e mortalidade hospitalar: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise / Effectiveness of rapid response teams in reducing intrahospital cardiac arrests and deaths: a systematic review and meta-analysis

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de times de resposta rápida com uso de identificação precoce de deterioração clínica, na redução das ocorrências de parada cardiorrespiratória e morte no hospital. Fontes de dados: Realizaram-se buscas nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library e Center for Reviews and Dissemination. Seleção de estudos: Incluímos trabalhos que avaliaram a efetividade de times de resposta rápida em unidades hospitalares de pacientes adultos, publicados em inglês, português ou espanhol, no período entre 2000 e 2016. Consideraram-se elegíveis revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos, estudos de coorte e ecológicos pré-pós. A qualidade dos trabalhos foi avaliada de forma independente por dois dos pesquisadores com utilização das escalas Newcastle-Ottawa e Jadad modificada, e da ferramenta Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews. Extração dos dados: Os resultados foram resumidos e tabulados. Quando os autores dos estudos incluídos relataram medidas de risco, estimamos a efetividade como 1-RR ou 1-OR. Nos estudos pré-pós, estimamos a efetividade como a diminuição porcentual nas taxas após a intervenção. Resultados: Identificou-se um total de 278 trabalhos, dos quais 256 foram excluídos após avaliação do resumo, e dois outros após avaliação do texto completo. Na metanálise dos estudos que relataram dados de mortalidade, calculamos uma proporção de risco de 0,85 (IC95% 0,76 - 0,94); para os trabalhos que relataram dados de parada cardíaca, o cálculo da proporção de risco foi de 0,65 (IC95% 0,49 - 0,87). A evidência foi de baixa qualidade em razão da heterogeneidade e do risco de viés nos ensaios primários. Conclusão: Os times de resposta rápida podem reduzir a incidência de morte e parada cardíaca no hospital, embora a qualidade da evidência seja baixa para ambos os desfechos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of rapid response teams using early identification of clinical deterioration in reducing the occurrence of in-hospital mortality and cardiorespiratory arrest. Data sources: The MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, Center for Reviews and Dissemination databases were searched. Study selection: We included studies that evaluated the effectiveness of rapid response teams in adult hospital units, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, from 2000 to 2016; systematic reviews, clinical trials, cohort studies, and prepost ecological studies were eligible for inclusion. The quality of studies was independently assessed by two researchers using the Newcastle-Ottawa, modified Jadad, and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews scales. Data extractions: The results were synthesized and tabulated. When risk measures were reported by the authors of the included studies, we estimated effectiveness as 1-RR or 1-OR. In pre-post studies, we estimated effectiveness as the percent decrease in rates following the intervention. Results: Overall, 278 studies were identified, 256 of which were excluded after abstract evaluation, and two of which were excluded after full text evaluation. In the meta-analysis of the studies reporting mortality data, we calculated a risk ratio of 0.85 (95%CI 0.76 - 0.94); and for studies reporting cardiac arrest data the estimated risk ratio was 0.65 (95%CI 0.49 - 0.87). Evidence was assessed as low quality due to the high heterogeneity and risk of bias in primary studies. Conclusion: We conclude that rapid response teams may reduce in-hospital mortality and cardiac arrests, although the quality of evidence for both outcomes is low.