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RACE : Critical Care Response Team

In January of 2005, The Ottawa Hospital became the first hospital in Ontario to develop an outreach team or RACE team.

RACE stands for Rapid Assessment of Critical Events and focuses on early identification and resuscitation of patients whose general well-being is deteriorating.

The Ottawa Hospital’s RACE Team relies on nurses and respiratory therapists identifying patients at risk, by monitoring vital signs and the general well being of their patients.

An extensive educational campaign was undertaken throughout The Ottawa Hospital. As well, posters and cards have been provided to the nursing and respiratory therapy staff throughout the hospital with specific guidelines outlined. These guidelines are to be used in assessing whether RACE should be called. The patient’s doctors are also called at the same time, ensuring good communication and teamwork in the care of the patient.

Who We Are

The team is made up of health care professionals who have undergone specialty training and are experts at caring for the critically ill. They include a Critical Care Nurse, a Respiratory Therapist and a Critical Care Physician.

The team brings a specially outfitted cart with them to the calls. This cart contains most of the equipment necessary to assist the distressed patient and allows the team to provide a quick response time.

RACE has been well received at The Ottawa Hospital and is now being trialed at 22 other Ontario hospitals.