An innovative nurse-led model is strengthening care at Canberra Hospital by enabling early intervention and enhancing patient safety.
Launched in May, the Rapid Response Nursing (RRN) Model of Care is strengthening hospital-based care by offering timely clinical intervention and preventing the deterioration of acutely unwell patients.
The ACT Government invested more than $4 million to support this initiative and expand the Medical Emergency Team across Canberra Hospital.
Rapid Response Nursing is a nurse-led outreach service - staffed by highly experienced Medical Emergency Team (MET) nurses - that operates 24/7 across Canberra Hospital to identify, assess, and respond to early signs of clinical deterioration in patients in the hospital.
The service prevents serious complication and complements existing escalation procedures including the Call and Respond Early program, enhancing Canberra Hospital's capacity to provide timely care and avoid progression to critical emergencies.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Rapid Response Nursing model reflects the ACT Government's ongoing commitment to innovation in health service delivery and nurse-led models of care.
"It's a proactive approach that reduces the risk of patients' conditions escalating and becoming critical, while also alleviating pressure on emergency and intensive care services," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"The Rapid Response Nursing service builds capability among hospital staff, empowering clinicians to act early and giving families peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving high-quality, compassionate and timely care.
"The implementation of the Rapid Response Nursing Model of Care is aligned with broader objectives to reduce preventable harm, support staff capability and deliver safe, high-quality care across the public health system."
Key features of the RRN model:
Rapid Response Nursing is a 24/7 outreach service to medical and surgical wards at Canberra Hospital and is staffed by experienced nurses from the Medical Emergency Team (MET).
Key features of the model include:
- Targeted interventions for patients with clinical indicators of deterioration, including a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) of 6 or recent ICU/ED discharge
- Proactive rounding on wards to identify at-risk patients early
- Collaborative care, working closely with ward teams to deliver consistent and coordinated treatment
- Real-time education and capability building in partnership with Clinical Development Nurses.
While the RRN model adds capacity to support deteriorating patients, it complements existing emergency response systems including the broader Medical Emergency Team and the Call and Respond Early for Patient Safety program that is a contact point in the hospital for patients, visitors and family members to escalate concerns if someone is getting sicker or not improving.
Quotes attributable to Aedon Talsma, Medical Emergency Team Clinical Nurse Consultant:
"Our team is made up of skilled nurses with intensive care and emergency experience. We work alongside doctors and ward staff to provide rapid support, build confidence and ensure that no signs of deterioration go unnoticed."
"It's incredibly rewarding to be part of a service that's making a real difference for patients and clinical teams alike."
