An innovative new service at Niagara Health’s Niagara Falls hospital that extends critical care beyond the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is now available 24/7.
The Critical Care Response Team (CCRT) ensures the needs of seriously ill inpatients are met regardless of where a patient is located within the hospital.
The CCRT was first offered at the St. Catharines hospital and expanded for the first time to the Niagara Falls hospital last November. As of July 1, it started operating around the clock in Niagara Falls.
The specially trained critical care practitioners work collaboratively with hospital staff to identify, assess, and respond to the needs of seriously ill patients to improve patient outcomes. This dedicated team brings their critical care expertise to the patient’s bedside (or wherever it is needed).
“Expanding the CCRT to our Niagara Falls site has increased patient safety and quality of care,” says Elayn Young, Director, Critical Care and Cardiology, Niagara Health.
“Early identification of deteriorating patients allows the response team to stabilize them on the ward or facilitate a rapid admission to the ICU. In addition to enhancing patient safety, CCRT’s have been shown to increase staff engagement and satisfaction.”
These specially trained nurses also follow up with patients to ensure those recently transferred out of critical care do not require readmission to the ICU.
Several Niagara Health staff volunteered for additional training to be able to join the CCRT and get practical experience. Young says they intend to expand the training program even further.
“As we move forward, we will incorporate more training classes. We want our nurses to thrive and become confident in the role. They’re really excited and extremely proud to be able to offer this service to the community,” says Young.
