Patterns of Intramuscular Chemical Sedation Use for Patients Receiving a Mental Health Consultation While in the Emergency Department

Key Points

• The study aims to identify patterns in the use of intramuscular chemical sedation among patients receiving mental health consultations in the emergency department.
• Analyzed patient data from the emergency department with mental health consultations.
• Examined associations with EMS/law enforcement arrival and demographic factors such as race.
• Considered the impact of involuntary mental health holds on sedation use.
• Intramuscular chemical sedation was linked to the arrival of EMS/law enforcement.
• A higher association was observed in Black patients and those under involuntary mental health holds.
• Further research is necessary to explore the role of implicit bias and unmeasured factors.