A rapid response team consisting of ICU nurses and respiratory therapists with physician backup failed to affect mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest rates at a tertiary care community hospital. While several studies and reviews have attempted to address the effectiveness of rapid response systems, this study's conclusions are strengthened by sophisticated statistical analysis, as well as the finding that the rapid response team was not underutilized (a criticism of prior negative trials). These findings are contrary to those reported in a recent trial conducted in a children's hospital. Despite already being widely implemented, rapid response systems are likely to remain controversial.