At urging of Minneapolis police, EMS workers subdued dozens with ketamine
I am an EMS provider with experience sedating patients (generally using Versed, but I have used Ketamine on occasion as well). In every instance it has been done out of concern for safety (my own, my crew&#x27;s, or the patient&#x27;s).<p>Taking the article at face value, it seems likely this procedure was being abused (and I would not be surprised if that was proven to be the case).<p>However... Many of the circumstances described do not necessarily mean it was inappropriate to sedate the patient. Just because someone is handcuffed does not mean they are not a danger to me. Just because someone is secured to the stretcher does not mean they are not a danger (I&#x27;ve been kicked in the head by someone who continued to fight after being secured to the stretcher and eventually worked his leg free).<p>Just because someone has not committed a crime does not mean they cannot be taken to the hospital involuntarily (generally after expressing an intent to harm themselves). I think the moral answer to &quot;should we prevent someone who wants to hurt themselves from doing that&quot; is worth some discussion, but the legal answer is quite clear... I am required to transport that patient to a hospital.<p>In many cases is it safer for the patient to use chemical rather than physical restraints.<p>Again, I am not defending every instance of sedation in Minneapolis. I am simply providing some examples of how this isn&#x27;t always a cut and dry decision.