Classes of triggering events:
(1) change in a patient's physical location
(2) occurrence of an event that may indicate a serious problem
(3) concern about care by family or other health care providers
Change in the patient's physical location may include:
(1) presentation to the Emergency Department
(2) admission to the hospital
(3) transfer into the ICU
(4) transfer out of the ICU
(5) transfer to another hospital
(6) discharge from the hospital
Occurrence of an event that may indicate an underlying problem:
(1) cardiac arrest
(2) hemodynamic instability
(3) onset of a significant cardiac arrhythmia
(4) emergency intubation
(5) need for mechanical ventilation
(6) major wound complication
(7) unplanned blood transfusion
(8) unscheduled invasive procedure or operation
(9) major change in neurologic status
(10) significant error in management
Additional occurrences that would justify a call:
(11) significant transfusion reaction
(12) major adverse drug reaction
(13) in-hospital accident (fall, other)
(14) severe infection
Concerns about care:
(1) by medical student or resident, including need for assistance
(2) by nursing staff
(3) by another physician
(4) by a family member
