Scott Zeller

In a thought-provoking discussion, Scott Zeller, Vice President for Acute Psychiatry at Vituity and former president of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry, challenges traditional views on managing agitation. He emphasizes the importance of involving patients in medication decisions, even in crises. The conversation addresses the stigma of 'chemical restraints' and promotes respectful, patient-centered approaches that prioritize calming strategies. Zeller advocates for innovative methods blending medication with verbal de-escalation to enhance outcomes in emergency settings.

Dr. Scott Zeller, an expert in emergency psychiatry and past president of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry, reveals transformative insights on managing agitation. He emphasizes the significant drawbacks of using physical restraints, which can extend emergency department stays by four hours. Dr. Zeller introduces essential verbal de-escalation techniques, stressing the power of calm communication and the '10 de-escalation commandments' to improve outcomes. His evidence-based approach aims to enhance patient safety and care in crisis situations.