Though it’s one thing we should always do year-round, we’re arising on an particularly notable time to say “thanks” to EMS staff.
Might 15 to 21 will mark the 47th annual Nationwide EMS Week. Began in 1974, it’s meant to have fun the work EMS practitioners carry out in communities all through the nation — and that’s a celebration we definitely welcome.
Whereas many of the consideration in EMS jobs is positioned on affected person care, understandably, it’s additionally vital for EMS staff to acknowledge and take care of their very own well being and security, to allow them to be in the very best situation to carry out. See under for ideas offered in our blogs over time for a refresher on how EMS personnel can take care of themselves:
Is Your Pre-Shift Workflow Optimized for Security?
EMS staff by no means know what their day will maintain, with every shift bringing the opportunity of one thing new — and harmful. Optimizing pre-shift workflows helps EMS staff put together for varied situations, stop on-the-job accidents, enhance immunological protection and guarantee an extended, safer profession.
Primarily based on a examine by the Nationwide Affiliation of Emergency Medical Technicians and the American Council on Train, the 2 organizations got here up with some really useful steps for enhancing well being amongst EMS practitioners (see the article linked above for extra):
- Enhance job-related bodily capability
- Undertake common bodily skill assessments that gauge waist circumference, standing posture, core operate, stability and mobility
- Comply with common train pointers that concentrate on flexibility, upper-body energy and improved mobility
4 Methods to Improve Ambulance Security
Whereas it’s vital to deal with the medical emergency at hand when transporting a affected person through ambulance, consideration must also be positioned on the security of EMS personnel. With the automobile fatality fee of first responders sitting at nearly 5 instances the nationwide common, ambulance security requires proactive steps to attenuate threat within the occasion of a crash.
The article linked above explains the 2014 Society of Automotive Engineers security requirements, how they apply to ambulances and the position they play in minimizing threat throughout a crash. Pay particular consideration to the notice on safety tools and take a look at SSCOR’s mount choices.
Security Suggestions for EMS Personnel
As a result of generally harmful and demanding job circumstances, EMS staff have an damage fee increased than the overall workforce, with the 4 most typical kinds of accidents suffered being:
- Physique movement accidents
- Publicity to dangerous substances
- Slips, journeys and falls
- Motorized vehicle accidents
Take a look at the article linked above to study preventative measures that scale back the danger for every kind of damage.
Staying Protected
Being an EMS employee could be a particularly rewarding job, however it can be harmful and bodily demanding. It’s vital to put the right consideration by yourself well being so you may take pleasure in an extended and fulfilling profession that’s freed from damage. Staying updated with the SSCOR weblog and particularly present security pointers and proposals are efficient methods to extend your profession and stay bodily wholesome.
As soon as once more, we provide a giant due to our EMS companions forward of Nationwide EMS Week — and through each different week of the 12 months, too. We hope our transportable suction options play a task in making your job simpler and we’ll proceed to develop the instruments you should succeed.
