d. Hazards of Restraints. Included are the following:
(1)
Damage to body tissue.
(2)
Damage to other parts of the body.
(3) Development of pressure areas if the patient is restrained for long
periods of time or if the patient does not have frequent position changes.
(4) Damage to nerves if the restraints are applied too tightly or if the
restraints become too constrictive after application.
(5)
Injury or death due to use of restraints during a fire or other occurrence.
3-6.
AIR EVACUATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS
The FORSCOM message below describes how the U.S. Army's psychiatric
patients should be evacuated by air.
FORSCOM message: August 1978, Air Evacuation of Psychiatric
Patients by Helicopter. Air evacuation for psychiatric patients is not as
critical an adjunct to therapy as it is for the physically ill or injured patient
and they (the psychiatric patient) may react unpredictably to the air travel
especially under adverse operational conditions. Therefore, Army air
ambulances should not be routinely used to transport psychiatric
patients merely as an expedient. Before a diagnosed psychiatric patient
may be accepted for air transportation by an air ambulance crew, the
senior medical officer must certify that two situations exist: (1) air
transportation is medically essential, and (2) the patient is appropriately
sedated and restrained to prevent him from becoming a hazard to the
aircraft and crew.
3-7.
CLOSING
This lesson has addressed the major areas of consideration for the management
of patients with hostile and violent behavior. Your ability to deal effectively with a violent
or hostile individual can be of utmost importance. Whether in the field or in a hospital
environment, the knowledge and expertise used in handling this type of situation can be
invaluable to the patient, other personnel, and to you.
MD0586
3-5