Measuring Complex and Macro Research in Rapid Response Systems

Rapid response system (RRS) research is complex given its four distinctive yet integrated components: an afferent arm, an efferent arm, a quality improvement arm, and an appropriate governance/administrative structure. Different types of RRSs have been developed to target different patient populations. Within this chapter, we surveyed and discussed progress as well as challenges in terms of measuring and evaluating RRSs. There is a need to consider recently published quality metrics and other indicators given the unique research questions and challenges. The evidence base for the effectiveness of RRSs on adult patients in general wards can be improved. Moreover, research on the effectiveness for specific patient populations is needed. The consumer-initiated RRS models and judicious applications of wireless continuous monitoring need further rigorous research. The prolific research interests in evaluating different types of early warning scores, on both aggregate-weighted and machine learning-based methods, are likely to add even further advances.