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What was Elijah McClain diagnosed with?

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Elijah McClain was a 23-year-old African American man who was diagnosed with “excited delirium”  and was given the powerful sedative ketamine by paramedics after being confronted by police in Aurora, Colorado while walking home from a convenience store on August 24, 2019.

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After receiving the ketamine, McClain’s condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest. The paramedics then began performing CPR and transporting him to the hospital.

However, McClain never regained consciousness and was declared brain-dead three days later. The cause of death was ruled as “undetermined” but the coroner listed “excited delirium” as a contributing factor.

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Elijah McClain
Courtesy McClain family attorney Mari Newman

The use of ketamine by paramedics in this incident has been controversial. While it is commonly used in emergency medical settings to sedate agitated or combative patients, the amount given to McClain was much higher than the standard dosage.

Additionally, McClain was already unconscious and in cardiac arrest, which raises questions about the appropriateness of administering the drug in that situation.

The incident has also prompted criticism of the police officers involved, as well as the paramedics.

 


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