Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121840

Rebecca J. Heick, MS, EMT-P¹, Corinne Peek-Asa, PhD², and Craig Zwerling, MD, PhD, MPH². (1) College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, 213 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242, (309)738-2316, rebecca-heick@uiowa.edu, (2) Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus, #124 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242

Background: Though EMS providers believe occupational injury is a significant problem, limited evidence exists to guide the identification and mitigation of the most hazardous activities and circumstances in the profession. Methods: Data for this study was taken from two national fatality databases: the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service (NEMSMS). A case definition was created and applied to fatalities in each database. Univariate analyses were conducted by region, age, gender, and service type for cause of injury and activity at the time of the injury incident. Results: In general, results for the two databases were similar. From 1997 to 2003, 92 EMS fatalities were identified in CFOI and 86 in NEMSMS. Emergency response (by air or ground) was found to be the most hazardous task, followed by providing emergency care at the scene of motor vehicle crashes. Fatally injured providers were most likely to be male, part of a paid service, 25 to 34 years old and from the southern region of the US. Conclusions: To reduce EMS fatalities, evidence-based interventions focused on improving safety during emergency response and patient transport as well as methods to improve traffic control at roadway crash scenes should be identified and evaluated. EMS is said to represent the intersection of public safety, public health and health care systems. In light of this view, it is important to protect the health and safety of the trained professionals who answer the call of those in need.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the incidence of fatal occupational injuries among EMS providers in the United States.
• Identify the most common causes of fatal occupational injury among EMS providers.
• Recognize those situations which are most likely to result in a fatal occupational injury.
• Discuss possible strategies for prevention of occupational injuries in EMS providers.

Keywords: Health Care Workers, Occupational Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.