How should an EMR handle a patient who is agitated or threatening harm?

In situations where a patient is agitated or threatening harm, the best approach is to call for additional help and maintain a safe distance. This response prioritizes safety for both the EMR and the patient. By maintaining a safe distance, the EMR can assess the situation without putting themselves in immediate danger. It also reduces the chance of escalating the patient's agitation.

Calling for additional help is crucial because handling a potentially violent or unstable individual often requires more personnel trained to de-escalate the situation. Emergency responders are trained to use verbal techniques to calm patients and to establish communication, which can further diffuse tension.

Using an aggressive approach or attempting to confront the patient can escalate the situation, possibly leading to harm for both the EMR and the patient. Leaving the area entirely is inappropriate as it abandons the patient without care, and forcibly restraining someone can cause injury and may not be legally justified without proper training or necessity. Thus, the correct approach balances the need for safety with the necessity of providing care and assistance in a challenging circumstance.