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. 2024 Aug 23;5(4):e13255.
doi: 10.1002/emp2.13255. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Strategies for optimal management of pediatric acute agitation in emergency settings

Mohsen Saidinejad  1 , Ashley A Foster  2 , Genevieve Santillanes  3 , Joyce Li  4 , Dina Wallin  2 , Isabel A Barata  5 , Madeline Joseph  6 , Emily Rose  7 , Tabitha Cheng  1 , Muhammad Waseem  8 , Kathleen Berg  9 , Gwendolyn Hooley  10 , Timothy Ruttan  9   11 , Sam Shahid  12 , Samuel H F Lam  13 , Siraj Amanullah  14 , Sophia Lin  15 , Melanie S Heniff  16 , Kathleen Brown  17 , Marianne Gausche-Hill  1 ; ACEP Pediatric Emergency Medicine Committee
Affiliations

Strategies for optimal management of pediatric acute agitation in emergency settings

Mohsen Saidinejad et al. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. .

Abstract

Acute agitation in youth is a challenging presentation to the emergency department. In many cases, however, youth can be behaviorally de-escalated using a combination of environmental modification and verbal de-escalation. In cases where additional strategies such as pharmacologic de-escalation or physical restraint are needed, using the least restrictive means possible, including the youth in the decision-making process, and providing options are important. This paper reviews specific considerations on the approach to a youth with acute agitation and strategies and techniques to successfully de-escalate agitated youth who pose a danger to themselves and/or others.

Keywords: agitation; environmental modification; least restrictive means; neurodivergent; restraint use; verbal de‐escalation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

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