Tasers being used on mentally ill patients.

[mmtk]

There have been two incidents where patients with know mental conditions were tasered multiple times.This occurred at two different area hospitals.One of the patients died.The autopsy ruled that he died of natural causes.According to the police report this patient was combative.He died from bilateral PE.I question how combative someone with bilateral PE's could be.I would like everyones opinion on the use of tasers to control a patient.Who should make the call medical personel or law enforcment.?

Thanks

[mmtk]

Thank you for your honesty.Your comment wasn't the one I was referring to. I am not being fecicious however I do not think that you can place more value on one person than another.I think patient care and staff safety are equally

important.No I do not think you can negotiate your way out of EVERY situation.However I do not think the use of force is always the answer either.

The mentally ill are often forgotten,misunderstood and mistreated in society.My concern is the rate that tasers are being utilized in these situations are on the rise.

If any of you have a loved one who is mentally ill would you all want them tasered multiple times if no ones life was in immediate danger?

[nursel56]

mmtk;4029298]TIf any of you have a loved one who is mentally ill would you all want them tasered multiple times if no ones life was in immediate danger?

The others have already made that clear by their repeated point that the taser is a last resort. In an effort to avoid using force, many people have made that decision a split second too late.

Have you witnessed these excessive taser uses yourself? If so, I'd be interested to hear (Hipaa-fied of course) what kind of scenario(s) took place that you found so disturbing.

Given your deep concerns about the mentally ill in the broader sense, have you considered becoming involved in the various advocacy groups, commissions, etc.?

[mmtk]

Thank you.I already am an advocate.This issue is both personal and professional to me.

[nursel56]

I hope you're not feeling attacked. I'm not criticizing you at all. Thank God people with psychiatric diagnoses are way past the asylum stage, but they are an under represented and vulnerable group of people, especially those with little or no financial resources.