Open AccessOut‐of‐hospital ketamine: review of a growing trend in patient care
Author(s) -
Kitch Bryan B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the american college of emergency physicians open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2688-1152
DOI - 10.1002/emp2.12023
Subject(s) - ketamine , delirium , medicine , sedation , emergency department , intensive care medicine , medical emergency , anesthesia , psychiatry
Ketamine is a unique medication with a long history of use in the emergency department. Out‐of‐hospital indications for ketamine have been explored and are currently expanding in some systems. This article provides background on ketamine history and pharmacology, its use in the hospital environment and possible applications for emergency medical services usage of this medication. Contraindications and adverse reactions are discussed to provide education on the nuances of ketamine administration and mitigation strategies. Out‐of‐hospital indications for ketamine are discussed including airway management, rapid sequence induction, analgesia, sedation, and treatment of excited delirium.