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Abstract: Background: Clinical emergency response systems such as medical emergency teams (MET) are used in many hospitals worldwide, but the effect that these systems have in mental health facilities is unknown. This study examined the rate and nature of MET calls to a mental health facility that had relocated to the campus of a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational study of MET calls to a newly constructed 170 bed mental health facility. Data were collected on the number and nature of MET calls to the facility. Results: Over 24 months, there were 66 MET calls to the mental health facility, and 1217 MET calls at the main hospital. The mean MET call rate was 14.2 calls per 1000 admissions (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.8–17.7) at the mental health facility, and 14.7 calls per 1000 admissions (95% CI 13.9–15.5) at the main hospital. Neurological and cardiovascular problems were present in 61% and 41% of MET calls. Conclusion: The rate of MET calls to a new mental health facility can be similar to that of a tertiary hospital. Staff attending MET calls need to be prepared to manage predominantly neurological and cardiovascular problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Clinical emergency response systems such as medical emergency teams (MET) have been implemented in many hospitals worldwide, but the effect that these systems have on injuries to hospital staff is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the rate and nature of injuries occurring in hospital staff attending MET calls. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational study, using a structured interview, of 1265 MET call participants, in a 650 bed urban, teaching hospital. Data was collected on the number and the nature of injuries occurring in hospital staff attending MET calls. Results: Over 131 days, 248 MET calls were made. An average of 8.1 staff participated in each MET call. The overall injury rate was 13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7–20) per 1000 MET participant attendances, and 70 (95% CI 38–102) per 1000 MET calls. One injured participant required time off-work, an injury requiring time off-work rate of 1 (95% CI 0–4) per 1000 MET participant attendances, or 4 (95% CI 0–27) per 1000 MET calls. The relative risk of sustaining an injury if the MET participant performed chest compressions, contacted patient body fluids on clothing or protective equipment, without direct contact to skin or mucosa, or lifted the patient or a patient body part was 11.0 (95% CI 4.2–28.6), 8.7 (95% CI 3.4–22.0) and 5.5 (95% CI 2.1–14.2), respectively. Conclusion: The rate of injuries occurring to hospital staff attending MET calls is relatively low, and many injuries could be considered relatively minor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]