Severance Hospital Launches Pediatric Rapid Response Team: "Swift Action on Abnormal Signs"

Professor Kim Jong-deok of the Pediatric Rapid Response Team is discussing the condition of pediatric patients while monitoring the real-time operating Early Warning System (MES) together with a dedicated nurse. (Photo by Severance Hospital)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Severance Hospital has launched a pediatric rapid response team called ‘SaveKids’ for pediatric patients.

Severance Hospital established an operating space for SaveKids on the 4th floor of the Children’s Hospital and held an inauguration ceremony on the 22nd, the hospital announced on the 25th. ‘SaveKids’ embodies the philosophy of the pediatric rapid response team that protecting children means protecting the future (Whoever SAVEs the KIDS saves the future).

The pediatric rapid response team is equipped with a rapid response system that targets pediatric inpatients aged over 1 month and under 18 years in general wards, aiming to detect acute deterioration early and prevent cardiac arrest or death through prompt and accurate measures. Unlike the existing cardiopulmonary resuscitation team, it identifies abnormal signs before pediatric patients reach critical conditions such as cardiac arrest and responds swiftly. Since May 2019, Severance Hospital has been operating a rapid response team for adults as a pilot institution for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s rapid response system. Expanding on this, the hospital started operating the rapid response team for pediatric patients from June.

Professor Kim Kyung-won of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents said, “Severance Hospital’s SaveKids is the first pediatric rapid response team in Korea composed of dedicated specialists and nurses,” adding, “Despite the challenging situation of limited support for pediatric patients, we started the operation to respond quickly to emergencies in pediatric patients whose body size and physiology differ from adults.”

The pediatric rapid response team conducts active screening for all pediatric general ward inpatients admitted to Severance Hospital. In addition, through real-time monitoring of the early warning system (MES), the team plans to take immediate necessary actions if abnormal vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation are detected in pediatric patients.

Professor Kim Jong-duk of the pediatric rapid response team said, “The operation of the pediatric rapid response team will greatly contribute to ensuring that pediatric patients visiting Severance Hospital receive safer treatment.”