A hospital in Minnesota, Hennepin Healhtcare, has halted their clinical trial studying the effects of ketamine, after reports surfaced that the hospital had been enrolling patients in the study without their permission and that police in the region had allegedly been wrongfully telling paramedics to sedate people with the drug.
Officials have denounced the study as being both unethical and unconscionable. And it's alleged that the hospital has been carrying out these sorts of studies for years now, looking into the effects of ketamine, and the current study that's received criticism was one that started last year and apparently required no consent from patients who would have their data used for research purposes. However, it's alleged that those patients would receive the chance to opt out afterward.
Both civil rights investigators in the region, along with paramedics, have allegedly expressed their own concerns previously, for how officers were said to be pressuring medical response teams to use ketamine in an effort to subdue various individuals in the community. The hospital has since called for an independent investigation after these allegations came to light thanks to a review that was conducted by the Minneapolis Office of Police Oversight Review.
Some healthcare professionals have commented on how disturbing it is that law enforcement might be trying to persuade medical personnel to sedate people with ketamine on the streets. When the hospital previously brought attention to this issue with the police, they reportedly responded by sending a memo suggesting that officers should never recommend or demand that any emergency services worker sedate someone. They aren't required to be giving medical commands on healthcare services and treatment, that's a decision they say should rest with medical professionals.
Despite the unethical procedures surrounding the study, medical professionals still urge that ketamine is an important and lifesaving drug and researching the potential use of that drug in emergency settings they suggest is vitally important.
The hospital, Hennepin Healthcare, has defended the use of the drug and said that it's medically necessary, but they've denied encouraging the use of ketamine in the study. The hospital says that because these studies are performed in emergency situations and approved by institutional review boards that they do not require pre-consent.
They've now halted their current study that's received the widespread public backlash, insisting that they are dedicated to providing the best care to those in the community. They've said that they are committed to a higher level of transparency, that they will look at and learn from other healthcare systems and their practices, that might boost transparency and community engagement etc.
Pics:
Pic 1 - Pixabay
Pic 2 -Pixabay
