Pembroke Regional Hospital has introduced an important new initiative designed to ensure that patients who are being cared for in one of their inpatient units receive specialized care through a rapid response program when early signs of clinical deterioration in their condition begin to appear.

 

The new Rapid Assessment of Critical Events (RACE) team consists of ICU‑trained nurses who assess and intervene early, helping prevent medical emergencies, reduce complications, and, in many cases, avoid the need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission.

 

Supported by more than half a million dollars in new Ministry of Health funding, this program represents a significant advancement in the hospital’s efforts to strengthen early intervention and enhance the quality of care.

 

The RACE team is currently in its pilot phase, staffed by two Clinical Care Leads who provide coverage from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. In June, the program will ramp up to 24/7 coverage.

 

At the heart of the RACE program is a commitment to delivering the right care to the right patient at the right time.

 

Specially trained ICU Critical Care Registered Nurses carry a dedicated phone and respond whenever frontline staff identify concerning changes in a patient’s health, such as sudden shifts in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, or medication-related issues.

 

These nurses work closely with Respiratory Therapists, Physicians, and specialists known as Intensivists who manage critically ill patients, using approved medical directives to deliver rapid, evidence‑based care wherever it is needed in the hospital.

 

The team also checks in on patients during the first 48 hours after they leave the ICU to be admitted to an inpatient unit - an especially vulnerable period - to ensure recovery is progressing safely.

 

“This is an important step forward for patient safety and for the support of our staff across the organization,” said PRH President and CEO Sabine Mersmann. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that has gone into bringing this program to life. It reflects the expertise and dedication of our nursing and interprofessional teams, and it ensures that critical care expertise is available wherever and whenever it’s needed. By identifying risks earlier and intervening more consistently, we can ensure that patients get the most appropriate level of care – whether that means stabilizing safely on the unit or confirming the need for ICU admission.”

 

Mrs. Mersmann also commended the collaborative spirit that guided the program’s development. “This initiative has truly been a team effort, and I especially want to acknowledge the leadership of Dr. Natalie Needham-Nethercott, who has played a key role in shaping the clinical framework for RACE. The result is a program that supports our staff, empowers nursing judgment, and ultimately puts our patients in the best possible position for safe and successful recovery.”

 

In addition to the clear benefits for patients, the RACE program also enhances the working environment for hospital staff. It strengthens collaboration across disciplines, reduces pressure on physicians and inpatient nurses, and ensures teams have immediate access to specialized assessments when needed.

 

To prepare for implementation, the hospital developed clear calling criteria and created staff resources to guide activation of the RACE team.

 

Considered a meaningful step in the hospital’s commitment to safe, timely, and compassionate care, the introduction of the RACE program extends the reach of the ICU by bringing critical care expertise directly to patients throughout the hospital. It reinforces PRH’s dedication to doing what is best for patients, staff, and the community as a whole.

 

The model has already proven effective in other Ontario hospitals, and PRH anticipates similar improvements in patient outcomes, workflow efficiency, and professional development for team members.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator

Pembroke Regional Hospital

(613) 732-3675, extension 6165 / carolyn.levesque@prh.ca

 

Names for accompanying photo:

 

RACE team members pictured from left to right: Carissa Fletcher, Christa Duff, Sharleen Doucette and Catrina Zadow.