Emergency Evaluation of Nonfatal Strangulation Patients: A Commentary on Controversy and Care Priorities

Abstract

Strangulation–external pressure applied to the neck that compromises blood flow, air flow, or both–is a common occurrence in the setting of interpersonal violence. 1 Sauvageau A. Boghossian E. Classification of asphyxia: the need for standardization. J Forensic Sci. 2010; 55: 1259-1267https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01459.x Crossref PubMed Scopus (107) Google Scholar ,2 Sorenson S.B. Joshi M. Sivitz E. A systematic review of the epidemiology of nonfatal strangulation, a human rights and health concern. Am J Public Health. 2014; 104: e54-61https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302191 Crossref PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar As emergency nurses and prescribers have become increasingly aware of the prevalence and negative health outcomes of strangulation, practice and research teams have begun to explore best practices for evaluation of these patients. Michelle Patch, Member, Maryland Metro-Baltimore Chapter, is an Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD and is a Member, Medical Advisory Board, Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, San Diego, CA. ORCID identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3639-6003. Sean Dugan is a Medical Director, California Clinical Forensic Medical Training Center, Sacramento, CA; is Director of Forensic Services, Shasta Community Health Center, Redding, CA; and is a Member, Medical Advisory Board, Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, San Diego, CA. ORCID identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2089-5270. William Green is a Clinical Professor (retd), Emergency Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA and is Co-chair, Medical Advisory Board, Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, San Diego, CA. Jocelyn C. Anderson is an Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, University Park, PA. ORCID identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0572-8378.