• James Downar, Reeta Barua, Danielle Rodin, Brandon Lejnieks, Rakesh Gudimella, Victoria McCredie, and Chris Hayes.
• Critical Care and Palliative Care, University Health Network, 9N-926, Toronto, Canada, M5G 2C4. james.downar@utoronto.ca
• J Crit Care. 2013 Aug 1;28(4):498-503.

PurposeRapid response teams (RRTs) were created to stabilize acutely ill patients on the ward, but recent studies suggest that RRTs may improve end-of-life care (EOLC). To learn more about the role of the RRT in EOLC at our institutions, we conducted a retrospective review.MethodsRetrospective review of 300 RRT consultations at 3 academic hospitals in Toronto, Canada.ResultsThe typical consultation was for an elderly patient with chronic illness. More than 90% had a "full resuscitation" order at the time of consultation. One third were admitted to the intensive care unit within 48 hours of the RRT consultation, and 24.7% ultimately died. Twenty-seven (9.3%) had a patient/family conference on the ward within 48h of the RRT consultation, 24 (8.3%) of whom changed their resuscitation order as a result. Among those who changed their resuscitation order, fewer than 20% were referred to the palliative care or spiritual care service, or prescribed comfort medications as needed (pro re nata), within 48 h of the RRT consultation; 2 patients died without receiving any common EOLC orders, and 15 (63%) died before discharge.ConclusionsRRT consultation is an important milestone for many patients approaching EOL. RRTs frequently participate in EOL discussions and decision-making, but they may miss opportunities to facilitate EOLC.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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