Effect of an education programme on the utilization of a medical emergency team in a teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Medical Emergency Teams (MET) have been developed to identify, review and manage acutely unwell ward patients. Previous studies have suggested that there may be obstacles to the utilization and activation of the MET. Aims: To determine the effect of a detailed education programme on the rate of utilization of the MET system 3.5 years after its introduction in a University teaching hospital. Methods: Prospective interventional study involving a detailed programme of education, feedback and decision support for nursing and medical staff given before, during and after implementation of a MET system. We measured the number of MET calls per month for both medical and surgical patients..