New nursing role supports patients, team at IU Health West

By Emma Avila, epackard1@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region

Aiming to improve patient safety and support teams across the hospital, the new rapid response RN role at IU Health West involves proactively monitoring high-risk patients and responding to rapid responses and code calls.

A new nursing role at IU Health West is helping team members better care for patients across the hospital. The rapid response registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who responds to all rapid responses and code calls on nightshift. The nurse also checks on high-risk patients throughout the evening.

A rapid response is called in situations where the bedside nurse caring for a patient needs the attention of the provider immediately. A code is called when the patient loses their pulse.

The rapid response RN role was inspired by a similar position at IU Health University Hospital. Brandie Kopsas-Kingsley, a supplemental RN in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), pitched the role to IU Health West leadership after the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of her colleague, Christy Ward.

"We geared this role to the specific needs of the IU Health West patient population and hospital setting,” Kopsas-Kingsley explains. "Through the help of bedside staff and providers, the rapid response registered nurse (RRN) proactively identifies and monitors patients who are at risk for acute decline in their health. The RRNs can help evaluate the patient’s condition, make recommendations regarding the plan of care and help implement interventions. The RRNs continue to monitor and assist with at-risk patients until they’ve stabilized or moved to the ICU.”

Full-time rapid response RN

Cynthia Foreman is the only full-time team member in the role right now, with intentions for one more. She decided to accept the position because it seemed like a good challenge.

"This year, I will have been at IU Health West for seven years,” she says. "After COVID-19 and my kids were grown and gone, I became an empty nester.”

When she got the call offering her the rapid response RN position, she decided it was a good fit for her new lifestyle.

"It’s been an honor to be picked for the position,” she says.

A typical night in the role

Foreman arrives for each shift at 7 pm in the ICU. As she rounds to each unit, she checks in with the charge nurses to see if any patients are on their watch list.

"I can go to that patient, look at them and talk to them, and then as I round through the night, I continue to check in on the patient and with their nurse,” she explains.

When a code or rapid response is called, no matter where, Cynthia drops what she is doing and responds along with other nurses and providers. The responsibility of the rapid response RN is to make sure roles are assigned and providers have clear access to the patient so the team can work together to stabilize that patient.

An evolution of responsibilities

The role went through an initial trial period from October 2023 to April 2024. During that time, the rapid response RN only responded to the inpatient Medical-Surgical, Progressive Care and Intensive Care units. Since the role has been approved through 2024, that purview has expanded to include the entire hospital.

"We’ve received calls from Labor and Delivery, the Emergency Department and the Cath Lab,” Foreman says. "On a regular shift, we round three to four times a night on the inpatient units.”

Along with Foreman, a few bedside and charge nurses in the ICU rotate in the rapid response RN role on the days Foreman is not working. Nurses are chosen strategically for the role, based on experience, education and skill.

"The goal of this role is to improve the culture of safety by supporting staff and patients and ultimately decrease the incidence of acute patient decline. The RRN role is multifaceted, and one area of focus is assisting and educating nurses,” Kopsas-Kingsley explains.

According to Kopsas-Kingsley, the RRN role has received nearly 900 requests for assistance over the course of six months, which have included patient evaluations, educational support for staff and clinical skills, such as IV placement support, medication administration assistance and unstable patient transport.

"These numbers indicate that the RRNs are a valuable and trusted position at IU Health West," she says. 

Foreman believes this position benefits team members and improves the overall patient experience.

"It just adds an extra layer of protection, an extra layer of support for our patients,” she says. "Not only do they have their nurses and providers, but they also have a specialized team.”

Join our dedicated team at IU Health West and make a difference in patient care. Whether you are an experienced nurse or just starting your career, we have opportunities for you to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients. Explore a variety of nursing positions that offer support, growth, and the chance to work with a team committed to excellence in healthcare. Visit careers.iuhealth.org to discover your next career opportunity at IU Health West.