Workplace Violence in Asian Emergency Medical Services: A Pilot Study

Workplace violence among Asian emergency medical services (EMS) has rarely been examined. A cross-sectional, mainly descriptive study using a standardized, paper-based, self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted between August and October 2018 among emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the Tainan City Fire Bureau, Taiwan. A total of 152 EMT-paramedics responded to the questionnaire survey, constituting an overall response rate of 96.2%. The participants were predominantly male (96.1%), college-educated (4-year bachelor’s degree) (49.3%), and middle-aged (35–44 years old) (63.8%). Among them, 113 (74.3%) and 75 (49.3%) participants had experienced verbal and physical assaults at work, respectively. Only 12 (7.9%) participants were familiar with relevant regulations or codes. The assaults predominantly occurred during evening shifts (16:00–24:00) and at the scene of the emergency. The most predominant violence perpetrators included patients, patients’ families, or patients’ friends. Nearly 10% of participants had experienced verbal assaults from hospital personnel. EMTs who encountered workplace violence rarely completed a paper report, filed for a lawsuit, or sought a psychiatric consultation. Fifty-eight (38.2%) and 16 (10.5%) participants were victims of frequent (at least once every 3 months) verbal and physical forms of violence, respectively; however, no statistically significant association was observed in terms of EMT gender, age, working years, education level, or the number of EMS deployments per month. The prevalence of workplace violence among Asian EMS is considerable and is comparable to that in Western countries. Strategies to prevent workplace violence should be tailored to local practice and effectively implemented.

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Differences in Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Emergency Medical Technicians Compared to Paramedics: A Cross-Sectional Study of Emergency Medical Services Professionals

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x19004254 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (03) ◽

pp. 288-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rebecca E. Cash ◽

Remle P. Crowe ◽

Julie K. Bower ◽

Randi E. Foraker ◽

Ashish R. Panchal

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

High Stress ◽

Emergency Medical Technicians ◽

Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Employment Characteristics

AbstractBackground:Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals face high physical demands in high-stress settings; however, the prevalence of cardiovascular health (CVH) risk factors in this health care workforce has not been explored. The primary objective of this study was to compare the distribution of CVH and its individual components between a sample of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. The secondary objective was to identify associations between demographic and employment characteristics with ideal CVH in EMS professionals.Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on the American Heart Association’s (AHA; Dallas, Texas USA) Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) was administered to nationally-certified EMTs and paramedics. The LS7 components were scored according to previously described cut points (ideal = 2; intermediate = 1; poor = 0). A composite CVH score (0-10) was calculated from the component scores, excluding cholesterol and blood glucose due to missing data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR; 95% CI) for demographic and employment characteristics associated with optimal CVH (≥7 points).Results:There were 24,708 respondents that were currently practicing and included. More EMTs achieved optimal CVH (n = 4,889; 48.8%) compared to paramedics (n = 4,338; 40.6%). Factors associated with higher odds of optimal CVH included: higher education level (eg, college graduate or more: OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.97-2.59); higher personal income (OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.37); and working in an urban versus rural area (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.23-1.40). Paramedic certification level (OR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78-0.91), older age (eg, 50 years or older: OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.58-0.73), male sex (OR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.50-0.56), working for a non-fire-based agency (eg, private service: OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74), and providing medical transport service (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94) were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH.Conclusions:Several EMS-related characteristics were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH. Future studies should focus on better understanding the CVH and metabolic risk profiles for EMS professionals and their association with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), major cardiac events, and occupational mortality.Cash RE, Crowe RP, Bower JK, Foraker RE, Panchal AR. Differences in cardiovascular health metrics in emergency medical technicians compared to paramedics: a crosssectional study of Emergency Medical Services professionals.Prehosp Disaster Med.2019;34(3):288–296.

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Treat me nice! –a cross-sectional study examining support during the first year in the emergency medical services

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-018-0561-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Hörberg ◽

Susanne Kalén ◽

Maria Jirwe ◽

Max Scheja ◽

Veronica Lindström

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Services ◽

First Year ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emergency Medical

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Job Stressors and Job Satisfaction in a Major Metropolitan Public EMS Service

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00027692 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 32-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. Shelby Bowron ◽

Knox H. Todd

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Career Choice ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Life Support ◽

Advanced Life Support ◽

Emergency Medical Technicians ◽

Medical Services ◽

Job Stressors ◽

Emergency Medical

AbstractIntroduction:Behavioral and social science research suggests that job satisfaction and job performance are positively correlated. It is important that Emergency Medical Services managers identify predictors of job satisfaction in order to maximize job performance among prehospital personnel.Purpose:Identify job stressors that predict the level of job satisfaction among prehospital personnel.Methods:The study was conducted with in a large, urban Emergency Medical Services (Emergency Medical Services) service performing approximately 60,000 Advanced Life Support (Advanced Life Support) responses annually. Using focus groups and informal interviews, potential predictors of global job satisfaction were identified. These factors included: interactions with hospital nurses and physicians; on-line communications; dispatching; training provided by the ambulance service; relationship with supervisors and; standing orders as presently employed by the ambulance service. These factors were incorporated into a 21 item questionnaire including one item measuring global job satisfaction, 14 items measuring potential predictors of satisfaction, and seven questions exploring demographic information such as age, gender, race, years of experience, and years with the company. The survey was administered to all paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (Emergency Medical Technicians s) Results of the survey were analyzed using univariate and multivariate techniques to identify predictors of global job satisfaction.Results:Ninety paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians participated in the study, a response rate of 57.3%. Job satisfaction was cited as extremely satisfying by 11%, very satisfying by 29%, satisfying by 45%, and not satisfying by 15% of respondents. On univariate analysis, only the quality of training, quality of physician interaction, and career choice were associated with global job satisfaction. On multivariate analysis, only career choice (p = 0.005) and quality of physician interaction (p = 0.05) were predictive of global job satisfactionConclusion:Quality of career choice and interactions with physicians are predictive of global job satisfaction within this urban emergency medical service (Emergency Medical Technicians). Future studies should examine specific characteristics of the physician-paramedic interface that influence job satisfaction and attempt to generalize these results to other settings.

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National study of emergency medical services core competencies in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Emergency Services ◽

10.1108/ijes-08-2019-0048 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 245-255

Author(s):

Talal AlShammari ◽

Paul Jennings ◽

Brett Williams

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Core Competencies ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Core Competency ◽

Medical Services ◽

National Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Emergency Medical

PurposeEmergency medical services (EMS) educational standards in Saudi Arabia have developed at an unprecedented rate, and the rapid pace of development has resulted in a considerable disparity of educational approaches. Therefore, an empirically based core competency framework should be developed. The aim was to utilize exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in the reduction and generation of a theoretical Saudi competency model.Design/methodology/approachA purposive sample was utilized in a national quantitative cross-sectional study design of Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) healthcare workers. The instrument comprised 41 core competency items rated on a Likert scale. EFA alpha factoring with oblique promax rotation was applied to the 41 items.FindingsA total of 450 EMS healthcare providers participated in the study, of whom 422 (93.8 per cent) were male and 28 (6.2 per cent) female. Of the participants, 230 (60 per cent) were aged 29–39 years and 244 (54.2 per cent) had 5–9 years of experience. An EFA of instrument items generated five factors: professionalism, preparedness, communication, clinical and personal with an eigenvalue > 1, representing 67.5 per cent of total variance. Only variables that had a loading value >0.40 were utilized in the factor solution.Originality/valueThe EFA model Saudi ParamEdic Competency Scale (SPECS) has been identified, with 27 core competency items and five overarching factors. The model has considerable similarities to other medical competency frameworks. However, some aspects are specifically unique to the Saudi EMS context. The SPECS model provides an academic blueprint that can be used by paramedic educational programs to ensure empirical alignment with the needs of the industry and community.

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Survey of Iowa Emergency Medical Services on the Effects of the 1993 Floods

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00037626 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 37-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stanley E. Chartoff ◽

Joann M. Gren

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Missouri River ◽

Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

First Response ◽

Service Areas ◽

The Government ◽

Survey Questionnaires

AbstractIntroduction:From June through August 1993, extensive flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri River basins resulted in 50 deaths and 12 billion dollars [U.S.] in damages in nine Midwestern states. In Iowa (1990 population 2,777,000), the government declared all 99 counties Federal Disaster Areas. This study examines how this event impacted local emergency medical services (EMS).Methods:All 797 registered prehospital ambulance, rescue, and first-response companies in Iowa received survey questionnaires. Two follow-up mailings were provided for non-responders.Results:A total of 468 EMS companies (59%) returned completed questionnaires. The geographic distribution ofresponders and non-responders was similar. Of the companies responding, 132 (28%) reported an impact on their operations from the flood disaster. The most frequently reported operational changes included the use of non-traditional vehicles, providing aid to regions outside usual service areas, and involvement in non-medical rescue operations.Conclusion:A major flood provides unique challenges for emergency medical services. Cross-sectional surveys can identify areas of improvement for prehospital systems located in flood-prone areas. Results from this study provide a basis for constructing a more refined instrument to study future flood disasters.

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Standard Precautions Among Emergency Medical Services in Urban and Rural Areas

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079919864118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 73-80

Author(s):

Riyadh A. Alhazmi ◽

R. David Parker ◽

Sijin Wen

Keyword(s):

West Virginia ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Standard Precautions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Rural And Urban

Backround: Emergency medical services (EMS) workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and frequently exposed to blood and bodily fluids through percutaneous injuries. This study aimed to assess the consistency with which standard precautions (SPs) among rural and urban EMS providers were used. Methods: This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey conducted with a sample of certified EMS providers in West Virginia in which we ascertained details about sociodemographic characteristics, and the frequency of consistent SP. An email invitation was sent to a comprehensive list of agencies obtained from the Office of West Virginia EMS. Findings: A total of 248 out of 522 (47%) EMS providers completed the survey. The majority of the EMS providers (76%) consistently complied with SPs; however, more than one third (38%) of urban EMS providers indicated inconsistent use compared with 19% of rural EMS providers ( p = .002). Most EMS providers reported low prevention practices to exposure of blood and body fluids in both areas. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The results emphasize the need to enhanced safe work practices among EMS providers in both rural and urban areas through education and increasing self-awareness. Occupational health professional in municipalities that serve these workers are instrumental in ensuring these workers are trained and evaluated for their compliance with SPs while in the field.

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In-Field Extremity Amputation: Prevalence and Protocols in Emergency Medical Services

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00042370 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 63-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kathryn E. Kampen ◽

Jon R. Krohmer ◽

Jeffrey S. Jones ◽

J.M. Dougherty ◽

Robert K. Bonness

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Trauma Surgeons ◽

And Training

AbstractObjective:To determine current experience, attitudes, and training concerning the performance of in-field extremity amputations in North America.Design:Cross-sectional, epidemiological survey.Participants:Emergency medical services (EMS) directors from the 200 largest metropolitan areas in North America and attendees at the 1992 Mid-Year National Association of EMS Physicians Meeting.Interventions:The survey consisted of five questions focusing on demographic and operational data, the frequency of occurrence of the performance of in-field amputations, personnel responsible for performing the procedure, existing written protocols for the procedure, and the scope of training provided.Results:A total of 143 surveys was completed. Eighteen respondents (13%) reported a total of 26 in-field extremity amputations in the past five years. The most common cause for the injuries requiring amputations was motor-vehicle accidents. In the majority of cases (53.2%), trauma surgeons were responsible for performing the amputation, followed by emergency physicians (36.4%). Of respondents, 96% stated that there was no training available through their EMS agencies related to the performance of in-field extremity amputations. Only two EMS systems had an existing protocol regarding in-field amputations.Conclusions:The results suggest a need for established protocols to make the procedure easily accessible when needed, especially in large metropolitan EMS systems. This information should be emphasized during EMS training and reinforced through continuing education.

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