Rapid Response Team Formed at Baystate Mary Lane

WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has implemented a Rapid Response Team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Rapid Response Team may be summoned by any staff member at any time who is concerned about a patient’s condition.

The Rapid Response Team is a group of expert clinicians who bring critical care expertise to the patient’s bedside. It is comprised of nurses with Advanced Critical Life Support (ACLS) certification and a respiratory therapist, as well as hospitalists.

“The role of the Rapid Response Team is to collaborate with our hospitalist or attending physician in the immediate care of the patient,” said Pam Wallace, RN, manager of Surgical Services at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. “The team will assist the nursing staff in assessing the patient’s condition, implementing interventions via established protocols, and recommending further actions in collaboration with the patient’s physician.

“We feel strongly that the Rapid Response Team will play a major role in the prevention of clinical deterioration from cardiac arrest or other adverse events, improving patient safety.”