The impact of a standardised intramuscular sedation protocol for acute behavioural disturbance in the emergency department

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the historical control patients compared to patients with the new protocol of intramuscular sedation

	Historical Controls (N = 73)	New Protocol (N = 58)
Age (median, IQR)	30 years (23 to 38 years)	32 years (26 to 43 years)
Sex (male)	35 (48%)	32 (60%)
Initial intramuscular sedation*	20 (27%)	58 (100%)
Benzodiazepines	63 (86%)	67%^†

IQR - interquartile range; ABD - acute behavioural disturbance; *The remainder received IV sedation (53). ^†Exact number unknown but based on randomisation approximately one third received 10mg midazolam and one third 5mg midazolam and one third only droperidol.

ISSN: 1471-227X