Revamping Our Approach to the Agitated Patients and Behavioral Emergencies If you want to understand more about how to reduce the risk of death in the management of agitated patients, this is the essential reading list: Handcuffs and Unexpected Deaths — “I Can’t Breathe” as a Medical Emergency Bivens M, Jaeger E, Weedn V. Handcuffs and Unexpected Deaths — “I Can’t Breathe” as a Medical Emergency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(22):2068-2069. doi:10.1056/NEJMp24

The financial liability for cities and towns is hundreds of millions of dollars and is increasing. Revamping the approach to restraint and sedation has the potential to reduce future liability.

Sept. 23, 2026 Agitated individuals experiencing behavioral emergencies are among the most challenging situations faced by EMS and police. While physical restraint and sedation are occasionally necessary for managing agitated individuals, they carry significant risks. De-escalation, which seeks to help the person calm themselves, should be thought of as the primary strategy. In cases where the patient’s combativeness may cause harm to themselves or to others, paramedics and p