Conducted energy device

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

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

Differential Diagnosis

• Altered mental status
• Excited delirium
• Substance abuse
• Drug or alcohol intoxication

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

• Conducted energy device dart removal