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An Overview of the Afferent Limb

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Textbook of Rapid Response Systems

Abstract

The afferent limb of a rapid response system is responsible for monitoring the patient, detecting deterioration and triggering a clinical response. This chapter describes the observations, early warning systems and calling criteria used to identify the sick or deteriorating patient. Failures in the individual components of the afferent limb are common and frequently result in potentially avoidable, adverse clinical outcomes. We describe the current shortfalls of the afferent limb and consider the actions required to improve its functioning including: improving regular patient monitoring and assessment; ensuring the accurate measurement and recording of vital signs; and enabling the timely calling of a rapid response team. The chapter also considers the role of technology in improving the functioning of the afferent limb.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Research and Education (CoPMRE), University of Bournemouth, Royal London House, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3LT, UK

    Gary B. Smith BM, FRCP, FRCA

  2. Centre for Healthcare Modelling and Informatics, University of Portsmouth, Buckingham Building, Lion Terrace, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3HE, UK

    David R. Prytherch PhD, MIEPM, CSci

  3. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Wellington Regional Hospital, Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand

    Alex J. Psirides

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  1. Gary B. Smith BM, FRCP, FRCA
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  2. David R. Prytherch PhD, MIEPM, CSci
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  3. Alex J. Psirides
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Correspondence to Gary B. Smith BM, FRCP, FRCA .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Critical Care, Harlem Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

    Michael A. DeVita

  2. The Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and Intensive Care, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool BC, New South Wales, Australia

    Ken Hillman

  3. Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

    Rinaldo Bellomo

  4. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

    Mandy Odell

  5. Intensive Care Unit, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

    Daryl A. Jones

  6. Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Bradford D. Winters

  7. Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA

    Geoffrey K. Lighthall

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Smith, G.B., Prytherch, D.R., Psirides, A.J. (2017). An Overview of the Afferent Limb. In: DeVita, M., et al. Textbook of Rapid Response Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39391-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39391-9_15

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