Conducted energy device: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
* Conducted Energy Device, Conducted Energy Weapon, Electronic Control Device, Electrical Control Device, and Electronic Control Weapon all refer to same thing | * Conducted Energy Device, Conducted Energy Weapon, Electronic Control Device, Electrical Control Device, and Electronic Control Weapon all refer to same thing | ||
*Commonly referred to as Tasers by lay public | |||
* Purpose of a Conducted Energy Device (CED) is to provide law enforcement officers with broader choices on use of force spectrum | * Purpose of a Conducted Energy Device (CED) is to provide law enforcement officers with broader choices on use of force spectrum | ||
* | * Used to control combative individuals | ||
* 99.75% of time no significant injury as result of using device per Department of Justice (DOJ) study <ref> Bozeman, W, et al. Safety and Injury Profile of Conducted Energy Weapons Used by Law Enforcement Officers Against Criminal Suspects, Annals of Emerg. Med. 2009. </ref> | * 99.75% of time no significant injury as result of using device per Department of Justice (DOJ) study <ref> Bozeman, W, et al. Safety and Injury Profile of Conducted Energy Weapons Used by Law Enforcement Officers Against Criminal Suspects, Annals of Emerg. Med. 2009. </ref> | ||
===Mechanism of Action=== | ===Mechanism of Action=== | ||
* Either through direct contact or with fired probes which penetrate up to 1/2 inch into body a current is delivered which causes neuromuscular interference resulting in temporary paralysis for seconds which often results in uncontrolled fall. | * Either through direct contact or with fired probes, which penetrate up to 1/2 inch into body a [[electric shock|current]] is delivered which causes neuromuscular interference resulting in temporary [[weakness|paralysis]] for seconds which often results in uncontrolled fall. | ||
** Electrical current captures skeletal muscle and tends to stay on outside of muscle | ** Electrical current captures skeletal muscle and tends to stay on outside of muscle | ||
** Immediate relief occurs after application of energy ceases. | ** Immediate relief occurs after application of energy ceases. | ||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
* Consider underlying reason why CEDs was used i.e. medical crisis, serious physiological distress, drug/alcohol | * Consider underlying reason why CEDs was used i.e. medical crisis, serious physiological distress, [[substance abuse|drug]]/[[alcohol intoxication]], [[altered mental status]], combative individual | ||
*[[Myalgia|Pain]] secondary to induced forceful muscle contracture | |||
*[[laceration|Puncture]] wound and often minor [[burn]] from barbs | |||
* +/- signs/symptoms of [[trauma]] from uncontrolled fall | |||
* No clinically relevant changes in ventilation, acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, troponin I level or EKG noted <ref> Vilke, GM, Sloane CM, Bouton KD, et al. Physiological Effects of a Conducted Electrical Weapon on Human Subjects. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2007; 50(5) 569-575. </ref> | * No clinically relevant changes in ventilation, acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, troponin I level or EKG noted <ref> Vilke, GM, Sloane CM, Bouton KD, et al. Physiological Effects of a Conducted Electrical Weapon on Human Subjects. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2007; 50(5) 569-575. </ref> | ||
==Differential Diagnosis== | ==Differential Diagnosis== | ||
*[[Altered mental status]] | |||
*[[Excited delirium]] | |||
*[[Substance abuse]] | |||
*Drug or [[alcohol intoxication]] | |||
==Evaluation== | ==Evaluation== | ||
| Line 45: | Line 32: | ||
* No need for routine performance of labs, EKGs, or prolonged observation after CED exposure in otherwise awake and alert patient | * No need for routine performance of labs, EKGs, or prolonged observation after CED exposure in otherwise awake and alert patient | ||
* More extensive testing and evaluation may be appropriate in individual cases based on history and physical examination i.e. EKG if chest pain, palpitations, or cardiac history | * More extensive testing and evaluation may be appropriate in individual cases based on history and physical examination i.e. EKG if chest pain, palpitations, or cardiac history | ||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
* Barb removal then wound care for small puncture wound and minor burn at barb site | * [[Conducted energy device dart removal|Barb removal]] then wound care for small puncture wound and minor burn at barb site | ||
==Disposition== | ==Disposition== | ||
| Line 64: | Line 50: | ||
[[Category:EMS]] | [[Category:EMS]] | ||
[[Category:Trauma]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:57, 9 October 2019
Background
- Conducted Energy Device, Conducted Energy Weapon, Electronic Control Device, Electrical Control Device, and Electronic Control Weapon all refer to same thing
- Commonly referred to as Tasers by lay public
- Purpose of a Conducted Energy Device (CED) is to provide law enforcement officers with broader choices on use of force spectrum
- Used to control combative individuals
- 99.75% of time no significant injury as result of using device per Department of Justice (DOJ) study [1]
Mechanism of Action
- Either through direct contact or with fired probes, which penetrate up to 1/2 inch into body a current is delivered which causes neuromuscular interference resulting in temporary paralysis for seconds which often results in uncontrolled fall.
- Electrical current captures skeletal muscle and tends to stay on outside of muscle
- Immediate relief occurs after application of energy ceases.
Clinical Features
- Consider underlying reason why CEDs was used i.e. medical crisis, serious physiological distress, drug/alcohol intoxication, altered mental status, combative individual
- Pain secondary to induced forceful muscle contracture
- Puncture wound and often minor burn from barbs
- +/- signs/symptoms of trauma from uncontrolled fall
- No clinically relevant changes in ventilation, acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, troponin I level or EKG noted [2]
Differential Diagnosis
Evaluation
- Routine history and physical examination
- Consider history of cardiac disease
- Consider history of pacemaker/defibrillator
- Consider drug or alcohol intoxication, psychiatric disturbance, altered mental status
- Look for direct injury from barb and indirect injury from fall
- No need for routine performance of labs, EKGs, or prolonged observation after CED exposure in otherwise awake and alert patient
- More extensive testing and evaluation may be appropriate in individual cases based on history and physical examination i.e. EKG if chest pain, palpitations, or cardiac history
Management
- Barb removal then wound care for small puncture wound and minor burn at barb site
Disposition
- Most healthy individuals may be discharged (often to the custody of law enforcement) after barb removal
- Appropriate medical intervention/consultation if barb in vulnerable area such as mouth, eyes, neck, groin
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Bozeman, W, et al. Safety and Injury Profile of Conducted Energy Weapons Used by Law Enforcement Officers Against Criminal Suspects, Annals of Emerg. Med. 2009.
- ↑ Vilke, GM, Sloane CM, Bouton KD, et al. Physiological Effects of a Conducted Electrical Weapon on Human Subjects. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2007; 50(5) 569-575.