Law Enforcement Navigation Of Psychiatric Patients - Fire And EMS Limited Involvement In Screening

Question 1

If the patient has no medical / trauma issues.

Answer 1

Call MEDCOM to navigate the patient to an open psychiatric bed closest to their location.

Question 2

What should fire or EMS crew do?

Answer 2

Standard exam
Vitals
Blood sugar
History of chronic medical conditions
Medication list
History of recent events

Question 3

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (1)

Answer 3

Dementia,
excited delirium,
agitation requiring sedation.

Question 4

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (2)

Answer 4

Age 65+ with new or existing medical issues

Question 5

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (3)

Answer 5

Recent ingestion of mind-altering substance, including illicit drugs and alcohol, that results in altered mental status, speech difficulty, difficulty walking and ataxia

Question 6

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (4)

Answer 6

Overdose of any medication

Question 7

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (5)

Answer 7

Acute trauma, with any wounds, lacerations, or acute head injury.

Question 8

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (6)

Answer 8

Evidence of exacerbation of chronic illness
COPD exacerbation
Severe hypertension
Cardiac symptoms
Active seizures

Question 9

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (7)

Answer 9

Evidence of an acute medical illness.
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Asthma
Severe pain
Uncontrolled vomiting
Fever
Suspected infection

Question 10

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (8)

Answer 10

Patient is in a nursing home

Question 11

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (9)

Answer 11

Patient requires port access, has G tubes, Foley or needs medical equipment

Question 12

The medical director will be looking for exclusion criteria such as (10)

Answer 12

Patient is unable to perform activities of daily living.
Feeding
Bathing
Dressing

Question 13

If the medical director determines it’s not safe to navigate patient under emergency detention, then?

Answer 13

Patient will need to be transported by EMS to closest appropriate Emergency Department.

Question 14

Freestanding psychiatric hospitals have very limited?

Answer 14

Acute medical care, wound care, lab capabilities