Management of behavioural emergencies: a prospective observational study in Australian emergency departments

CYL Yap; DMD Taylor; DCM Kong; JC Knott; SE Taylor; A Graudins; G Keijzers; S Kulawickrama; O Thom; L Lawton; J Furyk; D Finucci; A Holdgate; G Watkins; P Jordan

Journal article

Management of behavioural emergencies: a prospective observational study in Australian emergency departments

CYL Yap, DMD Taylor, DCM Kong, JC Knott, SE Taylor, A Graudins, G Keijzers, S Kulawickrama, O Thom, L Lawton, J Furyk, D Finucci, A Holdgate, G Watkins, P Jordan

Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research | Published : 2019

DOI: 10.1002/jppr.1522

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Abstract

Background: Behavioural emergencies (BEs) are complex situations in the emergency department (ED) setting. Treatment decisions always must be made within a limited time and are based on incomplete patient data. As a result of the urgency and complexity, patients often are exposed to increased risk of harm. Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe the prescribing patterns and adverse events (AEs) associated with parenteral sedation for the management of BEs in Australian EDs. Methods: Ten Australian EDs enrolled a convenience sample of adult patients (aged ≥18 years) requiring parenteral sedative medication for BEs. Data were collected prospectively between March 2015 and April 2017 using a ..

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