Care of the Agitated Patient Who Presents a Threat to Safe Transport in Critical Care Transport Medicine: A Consensus Statement.
Air medical journal · 2025-01-01 · Guideline / consensus
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Critical care transport medicine (CCTM) often encounters agitated patients who pose immediate threats to safe transport. The Air Medical Physicians Association recognized this unique risk and brought together experts to draft consensus statements and best practices for managing such patients. METHODS: The Air Medical Physician Symposium "Lite" was held on November 4, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Participants included international CCTM professionals. Attendees completed a survey on best practices, knowledge gaps, barriers to translation, and research priorities related to in-flight sedation and agitation protocols. The survey results informed lectures and panel discussions, followed by electronic audience voting to rank priority items. RESULTS: The analysis reveals standardized sedation protocols, training for in-flight staff, implementing a sedation checklist, monitoring sedation levels, and using non-pharmacologic techniques as best practices for caring for agitated patients who present a threat to safe transport. Knowledge gaps, barriers to translation, and research priorities were also identified and described. CONCLUSION: This consensus statement identifies critical areas for improving patient safety and operational protocols in CCTM. Addressing the outlined best practices, knowledge gaps, and research priorities is essential to advance CCTM and ensure safe patient transport.