Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.
A tertiary, academic, level 1 trauma center with 696 beds and a rapid response system.
1253 Non-ICU cardiac arrests from 2005 through June of 2012.
None.
The total study period included 223,267 inpatient admissions (70,129 pre-PR and 153,138 post-PR) and 1,250,814 patient days (391,088 pre-PR and 859,726 post-PR). The quarterly code rate before PR was 66 and the code rate after the institution of PR was 30 (difference = 36.8, 95% CI 25.6-48.0, p < .001). Quarterly code deaths decreased from 29 to 7 (difference = 21.95, 95% CI 16.3-27.6, p < .001). This decrease in floor codes and code deaths was still present after adjusting for inpatient admission and inpatient days. Average quarterly RRT interventions increased from 141 in the pre-PR period to 690 in the post-PR period (difference = 549, 95% CI 360-738, p < .001). Average quarterly transfers to HLC went up from 38 pre-PR to 164 post-PR (difference = 126, 95% CI 79-172, p < .001).
The institution of proactive rounding at a tertiary care, academic, level 1 trauma center results in reduced floor codes and code deaths as well as increased RRT interventions and transfers to a higher level of care.