Rapid tranquillisation: an issue for all nurses in acute care settings

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Emergency Medicine
• Psychiatric Nursing

Background:

• Challenging behaviour, violence, and aggression are increasingly encountered by nurses outside of traditional mental health settings, including emergency departments (EDs) and general medical/surgical wards.
• Restraint methods, including physical, mechanical, and chemical restraint, are sometimes employed in managing such behaviours.
• Rapid tranquillisation (RT) is a form of chemical restraint often considered for emergency situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore best practices in the clinical administration of rapid tranquillisation (RT).
• To provide guidance on the least restrictive use of chemical restraint in managing aggressive behaviours.
• To emphasize the importance of patient monitoring following RT administration.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical guidelines and literature on the management of aggression and violence in acute care settings.
• Analysis of the role and application of rapid tranquillisation (RT) as a therapeutic intervention.
• Discussion of best practice principles for administration and post-administration care.

Main Results:

• Rapid tranquillisation (RT) should be considered a last resort, with intramuscular and intravenous routes used only when necessary.
• The administration of RT must prioritize the least restrictive approach.
• Continuous and vigilant patient monitoring post-administration is essential for safety and efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Nurses across various clinical settings require robust strategies for managing challenging behaviours.
• Safe and effective administration of rapid tranquillisation (RT) necessitates adherence to best practice guidelines.
• Prioritizing patient safety through appropriate restraint methods and monitoring is paramount in emergency care.