title: Review article: Emergency Department implications of the TASER.
abstract: The TASER is a conducted electricity device currently being introduced to the Australian and New Zealand police forces as an alternative to firearms in dealing with violent and dangerous individuals. It incapacitates the subject by delivering rapid pulses of electricity causing involuntary muscle contraction and pain. The use of this device might lead to cardiovascular, respiratory, biochemical, obstetric, ocular and traumatic sequelae. This article will summarize the current literature and propose assessment and management recommendations to guide emergency physicians who will be required to review these patients.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, The Townsville Hospital, Queensland, Australia. meganrobb73@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Close
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furyk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aitken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D044362:Australasia; D003415:Crime; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004630:Emergencies; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016495:Police; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D055815:Young Adult