In medical terms, CART is an acronym that stands for the Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage Score.
The CART Score is a tool used by healthcare professionals to help predict the risk of an in-hospital cardiac arrest in patients. It's a predictive score that considers several physiological parameters to identify patients who may be at higher risk and require closer monitoring or intervention.
Based on the provided reference, one of the factors included in the calculation of the CART Score is the patient's **Respiratory rate**, measured in breaths per minute.
Understanding the CART Score
Predictive scores like CART are valuable in hospital settings because they assist in identifying patients who might be silently deteriorating before a critical event like a cardiac arrest occurs. By quantifying risk, clinicians can allocate resources and attention more effectively to those who need it most.
While the reference specifically mentions respiratory rate, other factors typically included in similar early warning or risk scores might include:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Oxygen saturation
- Level of consciousness
- Body temperature
Using a standardized score like CART helps ensure a consistent approach to assessing patient risk across a hospital ward or even an entire hospital system.
Components Highlighted in Reference
The reference explicitly points out:
- **Acronym:** CART
- **Full Name:** Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage Score
- **Purpose:** Predicts risk of in-hospital cardiac arrest
- **Included Parameter:** Respiratory rate (breaths/min)
By monitoring these and other vital signs and incorporating them into a score like CART, medical staff can potentially intervene sooner, improving patient safety and outcomes.
