From the Guidelines
Patients who have had a conducted electrical weapon (CEW) such as a Taser deployed generally do not need routine hospital monitoring if they appear clinically well after the incident. Most individuals who are medically stable, alert, oriented, and have no concerning symptoms can be medically cleared without extended observation. However, certain high-risk groups should be monitored, including those with prolonged struggles during restraint, individuals showing signs of excited delirium, patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions, pregnant women, those with CEW barbs embedded in sensitive areas (face, neck, groin), and anyone exhibiting abnormal vital signs or altered mental status. The electrical discharge from CEWs typically causes only transient physiological effects with minimal cardiac impact in healthy individuals, as noted in the American Heart Association's update to practice standards for electrocardiographic monitoring in hospital settings 1. The brief electrical pulses (typically 5 seconds) are designed to cause neuromuscular incapacitation without sustained cardiac effects. Most CEW-related injuries are minor and related to falls during incapacitation rather than from the electrical discharge itself. Medical providers should focus assessment on potential traumatic injuries, signs of rhabdomyolysis, cardiac abnormalities, and mental status changes rather than on the CEW exposure itself, in line with the recommendations for continuous electrocardiographic monitoring of hospitalized patients 1. It is essential to prioritize the assessment of high-risk groups, as outlined in the practice standards for electrocardiographic monitoring in hospital settings 1. Key considerations for monitoring include:
- Prolonged struggles during restraint
- Signs of excited delirium
- Pre-existing cardiac conditions
- Pregnancy
- CEW barbs embedded in sensitive areas
- Abnormal vital signs or altered mental status By focusing on these high-risk groups and potential complications, medical providers can provide appropriate care and minimize the risk of adverse outcomes.
From the Research
Monitoring Requirements
- Patients who have been exposed to conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as Tasers do not require active monitoring in the hospital, according to the current medical literature 2, 3.
- Studies have shown that CEW exposure does not result in dangerous laboratory abnormalities, physiologic changes, or immediate or delayed cardiac ischemia or dysrhythmias in asymptomatic awake and alert patients 2, 3.
- The use of CEWs has been found to be safe and well-tolerated from a cardiovascular standpoint, with no detectable dysrhythmias and a statistically significant increase in heart rate 4.
Respiratory Effects
- Prolonged CEW application has been found to not impair respiratory parameters in human volunteers, with increases in tidal volume and respiratory rate during exposure 5.
- The respiratory effects of CEW exposure have been studied, and the results suggest that CEWs do not contribute to respiratory impairment in healthy individuals 5.
Exposure Duration and Frequency
- The acceptability of longer-duration or repeated exposures to CEWs is still being researched, and there is currently not enough data to determine the safety of all types of exposures 6.
- Short-duration exposures to CEWs have been found to result in limited effects, but longer-duration or repeated exposures may require caution and further evaluation 6.