155: Rewinding the Clock: Teamwork That Prevents the Code, With Guest Dr. Oscar Mitchell
Fri Jan 30 2026
You know those moments when something just “feels off?” That’s when you should trust your instincts and speak up because timing can completely change a patient’s outcome.
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Oscar Mitchell, Associate Director of the Center for Resuscitation Science and Director of the Medical Rapid Response Team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They break down one septic shock case across two timelines: first, when rapid response is called early and there's still time to intervene, and later, when the patient is already crashing.
You’ll hear what a calm, collaborative rapid response call looks like, which signs of deterioration should never be ignored, and how to effectively share your concerns with a provider. This episode is for anyone who might call a rapid response AND for those who respond to emergencies.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Introduction to the patient and the 5PM timelineWhat the ideal provider–nurse collaboration looks likeEarly signs of deterioration that were missedWhy some nurses hesitate to call rapid responseThe patient’s vitals at 10AM and why rapid response was calledWhy the documented respiratory rate might not be reliableWhy blood pressure can be misleadingSBAR and CUS frameworks for escalationDr. Mitchell’s research on delays in RRT activation and mortalityEarly warning signs you should never ignore
Register for the REVIVE Conference and use code RAPID50 to get $50 off!
https://www.revive-conference.com/
Check out Dr. Mitchell's research here:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36349290/
Mentioned in this episode:
Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort
https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra
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You know those moments when something just “feels off?” That’s when you should trust your instincts and speak up because timing can completely change a patient’s outcome. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Oscar Mitchell, Associate Director of the Center for Resuscitation Science and Director of the Medical Rapid Response Team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They break down one septic shock case across two timelines: first, when rapid response is called early and there's still time to intervene, and later, when the patient is already crashing. You’ll hear what a calm, collaborative rapid response call looks like, which signs of deterioration should never be ignored, and how to effectively share your concerns with a provider. This episode is for anyone who might call a rapid response AND for those who respond to emergencies. Topics discussed in this episode: Introduction to the patient and the 5PM timelineWhat the ideal provider–nurse collaboration looks likeEarly signs of deterioration that were missedWhy some nurses hesitate to call rapid responseThe patient’s vitals at 10AM and why rapid response was calledWhy the documented respiratory rate might not be reliableWhy blood pressure can be misleadingSBAR and CUS frameworks for escalationDr. Mitchell’s research on delays in RRT activation and mortalityEarly warning signs you should never ignore Register for the REVIVE Conference and use code RAPID50 to get $50 off! https://www.revive-conference.com/ Check out Dr. Mitchell's research here:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36349290/ Mentioned in this episode: Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra