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The Role of Rapid Response Teams in the Post-operative Care of the High-Risk Cancer Patient

  • Cancer Anesthesia (B Riedel, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Anesthesiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The profile of surgical cancer patients is changing, as is the intensity of the cancer therapy. Up to 20 % of patients have serious complications following major surgery which are more often related to medical co-morbidities than to the surgical site or procedure. The associated morbidity and mortality is related to the effectiveness of detection and treatment. Rapid response teams (RRTs) have been introduced into hospitals worldwide to assist in the recognition of, and response to, at-risk patients with indicators of clinical decline. Implementing an RRT is associated with marked improvements in post-operative morbidity and mortality. Cancer patients use RRTs at greater rates than non-cancer patients and RRTs play an increasing role in end-of-life care planning. This may be of particular relevance in cancer patients undergoing surgery. Further research is needed to enhance risk stratification and develop pre-emptive strategies that tailor post-operative monitoring and treatment.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Bernhard Riedel wishes to thank Drs. Donal Buggy, Vijaya Gottumukkala, and Erica Sloan for their kind assistance in the development of this issue and the reviewing of the articles.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anaesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Unit, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, L2 West, Medical Building (181), Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    David A. Story

  2. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 112, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Gregory H. Botz

  3. Intensive Care Unit, Level 2, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    Daryl Jones

Authors
  1. David A. Story
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  2. Gregory H. Botz
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  3. Daryl Jones
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David A. Story.

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This article is part of the Topical collection on Cancer Anesthesia.

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Story, D.A., Botz, G.H. & Jones, D. The Role of Rapid Response Teams in the Post-operative Care of the High-Risk Cancer Patient. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 5, 340–345 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-015-0114-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-015-0114-9

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