Ep 115 Emergency Management of the Agitated Patient

The podcast addresses the assessment and management of agitated patients in the emergency department, distinguishing between mild, moderate, and severe cases. It emphasizes that agitation is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and urges clinicians to identify underlying medical or psychiatric causes. Non-pharmacologic de-escalation techniques and the judicious use of physical restraints are discussed, alongside intramuscular ketamine, haloperidol, and midazolam as pharmacological options. Dr. David Barbic shares insights from his research, highlighting the need for thorough patient assessment and cautioning against a one-size-fits-all approach to ketamine dosing. The speakers also explore differences in managing agitation in elderly patients, advocating for avoiding benzodiazepines in this population.