Attitudes and barriers to a Medical Emergency Team system at a tertiary paediatric hospital

Abstract

Aim: To determine the attitudes and barriers to an established paediatric Medical Emergency Team (MET) system among nurses and doctors. Methods: Invitation to all clinical staff in a paediatric hospital to complete an electronic 41-item branched survey. Responses were graded on a Likert scale. Results: 407 staff completed the survey (280 nurses, 127 doctors). The MET system was highly valued for obtaining urgent assistance for the seriously ill patients by 85% of nurses and 83% of doctors. However, barriers to MET activation included; preference to contact the covering (attending) doctors by 80% of nurses and 45% of doctors, active discouragement to activating a MET by 41% of nurses and 12% ..