In the Netherlands an innovative programme for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care among patients aged 40–70 years has been evaluated in both an effect study and a pilot implementation study. Health-care providers identified four obstacles for successful implementation …

The implementation of rapid response systems (RRS) is based on the knowledge that deteriorating physiological processes are frequently present for hours or days before clear clinical deterioration is recognized [1,2]. It is assumed that this physiological deterioration is often treatable and that treatment …