OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review to understand the rapid response team's (RRT) effect on patient outcomes.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and two trial registers. The studies published up to May 6, 2022, from the inception date of the databases were included. Two researchers filtered the title, abstract and full text. The Version 2 of the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool were used separately for randomized and non-randomized controlled trials for quality appraisal.
RESULTS: Sixty-one eligible studies were identified, four randomized controlled trials(RCTs), four non-randomized controlled trials, six interrupted time-series(ITS) design , and 47 pretest-posttest studies. A total of 52 studies reported hospital mortality, 51 studies reported cardiopulmonary arrests, 18 studies reported unplanned ICU admissions and ten studies reported LOS.
CONCLUSION: This systematic review found the variation in context and the type of RRT interventions restricts direct comparisons. The evidence for improving several aspects of patient outcomes was inconsistent, with most studies demonstrating that RRT positively impacts patient outcomes.
METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026 among 1150 adults aged 15-79 years attending hospitals in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffargarh. Participants were selected using multistage systematic sampling. Structured interviews collected demographic, environmental, and clinical data. Spatial analyses were performed using GeoDa, while multivariable binary and multinomial logistic regression identified factors associated with ARI occurrence and symptom severity.
RESULTS: Overall, 38.6% of participants reported ARI symptoms. Spatial analyses demonstrated geographic clustering, with the highest burden observed in Multan. Independent predictors of ARIs included biomass fuel use (AOR 4.56, 95% CI 3.12-6.67), indoor smoking (AOR 3.45, 95% CI 2.48-4.80), visible household mould or dampness (AOR 5.67, 95% CI 3.89-8.26), low educational attainment (AOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.42-2.68), and residence in Muzaffargarh (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.32-2.51). Symptom severity increased significantly with biomass fuel exposure, indoor smoking, damp housing, and winter months.
CONCLUSIONS: Household environmental exposures and geographic variation were associated with the burden and severity of ARIs among hospital-attending adults. Targeted interventions to reduce household air pollution, improve housing conditions, strengthen seasonal surveillance, and prioritize high-risk communities may improve respiratory outcomes and support evidence-based cardiopulmonary care in resource-limited settings.