Table 5.

Suggested minimum calling criteria for medical emergency team (modified from Lee et al³⁴)

Airway threatened by:
Impaired patency, obstruction eg stridor, burns, trauma
Impaired protection, eg depressed consciousness, bulbar dysfunction
Breathing:
Respiratory arrests
Respiratory rate <8 or >30
Acute hypoxia: partial pressure of oxygen <8 kPa on fractional inspired oxygen 0.6 (maximum possible on ward)
Acute hypercapnia: partial pressure of carbon dioxide >6.5 kPa
Circulation:
Cardiac arrest
Pulse (in sinus rhythm) <40 or >140 beats/min
Systolic blood pressure ⩽90 mm Hg
Acidaemia: pH <7.20 (hydrogen ions >62 nmol/l)
Urine:
Acute oliguria: <30 ml/hour or <0.5 ml/kg/hour
Consciousness:
Glasgow coma score <12 or fall of 2 or more points
Repeated or prolonged seizures
Miscellaneous:
Patient causing concern to medical, nursing, or physiotherapy staff