Minh Le Cong on The Agitated Patient: Protecting Yourself and the Patient

The podcast addresses agitation and delirium management in ICU and pre-hospital settings, emphasizing safety for both patients and providers. It questions the zero-tolerance approach to agitated patients, especially in retrieval medicine. The discussion covers pharmacological interventions, including haloperidol and dexmedetomidine, for managing delirium, noting mixed opinions on their effectiveness. The speaker suggests ketamine, combined with droperidol or midazolam, for acute takedowns, citing its antidepressant effects and sharing research indicating reduced delirium incidence when used with adjunctive sedatives. Safe restraint techniques are highlighted, advocating for adequate staffing and proper methods to prevent patient harm, alongside resources for further training.