Abstract
The Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) at our large urban university medical center has become a cornerstone of patient safety and care, driving a significant cultural shift in rapid response and interdisciplinary collaboration from 2014 to 2024. Through the adoption of the six American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment standards, the CCOT has not only reduced cardiac arrests outside of critical care areas but also fostered a collaborative relationship based on trust, clinical excellence, and patient safety among ward staff that has transformed the culture of Rapid Response activations.
Clinical excellence has not been the only key to the CCOT’s successful implementation. The development of strong interpersonal relationships with bedside nurses and providers has empowered them to escalate care earlier, building trust with the process of the rapid response system. Over time, this trust has resulted in more frequent early interventions, contributing to better patient outcomes. The increase in Rapid Response utilization from approximately 14 activations per month in 2014, to more than 150 Rapid Response activations per month in 2024 is a testament to the shift in safety culture and the work of the CCOT. The team also seeks opportunities to improve early identification of patients at risk for deterioration, utilizes data-driven practices, participates in continuous quality improvement, and strives to provide the right nurse, at the right time, at the bedside of a patient at risk for clinical decline. This model provides the acute care RN the support, safety, and education at the point of care to learn how to implement the best interventions for their patients when they need it most.
Beyond urgent patient care, the CCOT promotes professional identity for all nurses, emphasizing the role of each nurse in providing care for every phase of the patients’ hospitalization. Through authentic leadership, meaningful recognition, and collaborative decision-making, the CCOT has demonstrated how a cohesive and dedicated team of critical care nurses, can not only save lives but also enhance the overall work culture. This model of care transformation offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders seeking to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, support bedside staff, improve patient outcomes, and promote healthy work environments.
Notes
References: Alshehri, B., Ljungberg, A. K., & Rüter, A. (2015). Medical-surgical nurses' experiences of calling a rapid response team in a hospital setting: A literature review. Middle East Journal of Nursing, 9(3), 3–23. https://doi.org/10.5742/mejn.2015.92660
Maharaj, R., Raffaele, I. & Wendon, J. Rapid response systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care 19, 254 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-015-0973-y
Tilley, M., Spencer, K., (2020). Perceived barriers to rapid response team activation among nurses. American Journal of Nursing 120(7),52-60. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000688220.05900.7c
Winterbottom, F., Webre, H., (2021)Rapid response system restructure: focus on prevention and early intervention. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly 44(4), 424-430. https://doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000379
Winterbottom, F., Webre, H., Gaudet, K., & Burton, J. (2022). A Patient Safety Solution: Evaluation of a 24/7 Nurse-led Proactive Rapid Response Program. International Journal of Critical Care, 16(2), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.29173/ijcc32
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Acute care, Interprofessional Initiatives, Workforce
Recommended Citation
Cook, Heather Joy and Wells, Brittany M., "Building a High-Performing Critical Care Outreach Team: Transforming Care and Collaboration" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 32.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/32
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Building a High-Performing Critical Care Outreach Team: Transforming Care and Collaboration
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) at our large urban university medical center has become a cornerstone of patient safety and care, driving a significant cultural shift in rapid response and interdisciplinary collaboration from 2014 to 2024. Through the adoption of the six American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment standards, the CCOT has not only reduced cardiac arrests outside of critical care areas but also fostered a collaborative relationship based on trust, clinical excellence, and patient safety among ward staff that has transformed the culture of Rapid Response activations.
Clinical excellence has not been the only key to the CCOT’s successful implementation. The development of strong interpersonal relationships with bedside nurses and providers has empowered them to escalate care earlier, building trust with the process of the rapid response system. Over time, this trust has resulted in more frequent early interventions, contributing to better patient outcomes. The increase in Rapid Response utilization from approximately 14 activations per month in 2014, to more than 150 Rapid Response activations per month in 2024 is a testament to the shift in safety culture and the work of the CCOT. The team also seeks opportunities to improve early identification of patients at risk for deterioration, utilizes data-driven practices, participates in continuous quality improvement, and strives to provide the right nurse, at the right time, at the bedside of a patient at risk for clinical decline. This model provides the acute care RN the support, safety, and education at the point of care to learn how to implement the best interventions for their patients when they need it most.
Beyond urgent patient care, the CCOT promotes professional identity for all nurses, emphasizing the role of each nurse in providing care for every phase of the patients’ hospitalization. Through authentic leadership, meaningful recognition, and collaborative decision-making, the CCOT has demonstrated how a cohesive and dedicated team of critical care nurses, can not only save lives but also enhance the overall work culture. This model of care transformation offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders seeking to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, support bedside staff, improve patient outcomes, and promote healthy work environments.
Description
The Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) has transformed patient care at our medical center by reducing cardiac arrests outside critical care, fostering collaboration, and promoting early intervention. By developing trust with acute care staff and utilizing data-driven practices, the CCOT ensures timely escalation of care and continuous quality improvement. The CCOT also emphasizes professional identity and leadership to promote a healthy work environment and better patient outcomes.