Critical care nurses' role in rapid response teams: A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the qualitative evidence on the role of critical care nurses in rapid response teams.

Design: Qualitative systematic review.

Methods: This qualitative systematic review employed Bettany-Saltikov and McSherry's guidelines and is reported according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research checklist. Two pairs of blinded researchers screened the articles. The data were synthesised using a thematic analysis approach.

Data sources: A systematic literature search was conducted using the CINAHL, Embase and MEDLINE databases.

Results: Seven studies were included, and three main roles were identified: (1) balancing between confidence and fear in clinical encounters, (2) facilitating collaboration and (3) managing challenging power dynamics in decision-making.

Conclusion: Critical care nurses possess extensive knowledge and skills in providing critical care to patients experiencing deterioration on general wards. They play a vital role in facilitating collaboration between team members and ward staff. Furthermore, within the rapid response team, critical care nurses assume leadership responsibilities by overseeing the comprehensive coordination of patient care and actively engaging in the decision-making process concerning patient care.

Implications for the profession: Highlighting the central role of critical care nurses in rapid response teams as well such a team's benefits in healthcare organisations can promote applications for funding to support further quality assurance of rapid response teams and thus enhance patient safety.

Impact: Health care organisations can assure the quality of rapid response team by providing economical resources and training. The education providers should facilitate and standardise curriculum for critical care nursing students to achieve necessary knowledge and skills as members in rapid response teams.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.

Keywords: critical care; critical care nurse; critical care outreach team; nursing role; rapid response team; systematic review.