Medications and Medical Emergency Teams

This thesis explores the relationships between medications and Medical Emergency Teams. Medications treat and prevent disease but can cause harm. Medical Emergency Teams are specialist doctors and nurses called to review and treat patients who become more unwell during their hospital stay to prevent cardiac arrest or death. This thesis reveals medications may contribute to a quarter of Medical Emergency Team calls. Also, it demonstrates medications are important in Medical Emergency Teams’ care of unwell patients but there are problems with supply and access. These findings can be used to increase patient safety and reduce burden on the healthcare system.