Activation of a rapid response team would be expected to decrease the chance of cardiopulmonary arrest in a patient such as this. Unrecognized deterioration of a patient's clinical status in general medical settings allows patients to progress to cardiopulmonary arrest, which carries a very poor prognosis for hospital outcome and survival. It has been found that the signs and symptoms of deterioration are usually present several hours before arrest (with a median time of 6 hours). A strategy to improve the recognition and response to deteriorating patients has been developed in the form of rapid response systems. These systems seek to alter management in deteriorating patients who are at risk of cardiopulmonary collapse by intervening before irreversible instability occurs.

Although there are no standard structures of rapid response teams, they are frequently composed of intensivists and others with experience in identifying and managing patients with worsening clinical parameters who may be helpful in guiding further treatment interventions and assist in determining the appropriate setting of care for a specific patient. Unfortunately, clear criteria do not exist for activating rapid response teams. However, a number of indicators have been identified that are associated with increased risk of decompensation; when these indicators are present, rapid response intervention may be effective. These indicators include changes in vital signs (heart rate of <30/min or ≥139/min; systolic blood pressure <70 mm Hg or ≥200 mm Hg; respiration rate <9/min or >35/min, temperature <34.0 °C [93.2 °F] or ≥39.0 °C [102.2 °F]), oxygen saturation less than 85%, and development of altered mental status or coma. This patient's persistent tachycardia indicates possible vital sign instability warranting further evaluation as a potential early indicator of deterioration. Studies of rapid response teams have shown reduced rates of cardiopulmonary arrest outside of the ICU and reduced mortality.

Implementation of rapid response teams has not been consistently shown to reduce rates of intubation, ICU utilization, or length of hospital stay.