Emerging Research Topics

Rapid response systems (RRSs) are a relatively young hospital intervention, but research has provided robust data on their need and benefits. This chapter summarises previous reviews about RRSs, sets out a selection of emerging topics for research in the field and reviews the underpinning drivers in healthcare that will determine the priorities in the coming decade. From our analysis, it would seem that research will dramatically broaden the type of parameters that can be monitored by patients and healthcare professionals, increase the complexity of algorithms that detect deterioration, involve patients and family members in the process of escalation, tailor responses and responders to personalised needs and extend the setting for rapid response systems beyond the traditional hospital ward into the community. Policy interventions at the level of health literacy might be the key enabler for a broader engagement of actors in high-, low- and middle-income countries.