MOHLTC - Critical Care Strategy - Critical Care Response Teams

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Critical Care Response Teams

Alternative CCRT Models

Intensivist-Led CCRTs

Critical Care Response Teams

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Read our Latest Report :
Sepsis education, recognition and treatment has been identified as a priority for the next hospital accreditation. The attached presentation on Sepsis [PDF] was prepared by Alison Fox Robichaud, Division of Critical Care McMaster University

Implementation of Critical Care Response Teams (CCRTs) in Ontario Hospitals – Year One [PDF]
This report provides an overview of the implementation of Critical Care Response Teams (CCRTs) across Ontario and the role they are playing in hospitals and in the health care system as a whole. The focus of this report is to share real, first-hand accounts of the immediate and positive impact CCRTs are having on patients, caregivers and hospitals.

Critical Care Response Teams (CCRTs), also referred to as Medical Emergency Teams or Rapid Response Teams, are a major innovation in hospital practice gaining global recognition for their capacity to improve patient safety, critical care access, and the efficiency of hospital resource utilization.

Comprised of intensive care physicians (intensivists), intensive care nurses and Respiratory Therapists, CCRTs bring the skills and expertise of a critical care unit beyond its four walls to meet the needs of patients at risk wherever they are in the hospital.

The CCRT concept : Educate ward staff to monitor indications of serious or imminent deterioration, and empower them to activate a mobile team of critical care specialists who deliver timely intervention, resuscitation, triage and follow-up throughout the hospital on a 24/7 basis.

CCRT outcomes : Early intervention or resuscitation on the ward saves lives. It enables more timely ICU admissions that results in a shorter length of stay, improving access to ICU beds. It reduces or mitigates avoidable, or inappropriate ICU admissions and readmissions, and provides an opportunity for mutual collaboration and knowledge transfer among hospital staff.

Building on a successful demonstration project, the Ministry has provided funding for Intensivist-Led CCRTs at 22 hospital sites. Establishing additional Intensivist-Led CCRTs in 2006/07 is under review by the Ministry. Funding has also been provided for a four-site demonstration project to test the effectiveness of the CCRT model in paediatric settings.

To broaden the provincial uptake and benefit of CCRTs, expansion plans also include a demonstration of Alternative CCRT models in hospitals not operating large Level 3 lCU’s. These hospitals will be identified following a web-based application process in October.



Julie Trpkovski Manager, Critical Care Secretariat Health System Accountability and Performance Division Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care 77 Wellesley Street West, 2B-74 Toronto, ON M7A 1N3 Phone : 416-399-1173 Email : Julie.Trpkovski@Ontario.ca	Call the ministry INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only) TTY 1-800-387-5559 Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm