BACKGROUND: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics serve as primary providers of urgent medical care and are integral components in disaster response. They are at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries during these activities. OBJECTIVES: To describe fatal and nonfatal injuries occurring to EMTs and paramedics. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) for the period 2003-2007. RESULTS: We identified 99,400 (95% confidence interval [CI], 71,700, 127,100) nonfatal injuries treated in emergency departments and 65 fatal injuries from the period 2003-2007. Most fatalities were related to motor vehicle incidents (45%) and aircraft crashes (31%). Among compensated EMTs and paramedics, the rate of fatal injuries was 6.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalents. Nonfatal injuries were primarily associated with stress on some part of the body from motion or overexertion (33%). Among all nonfatal injuries, the most common diagnosis was sprains and strains (38%). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency medical technicians and paramedics have higher fatal injury rates when compared with all workers. To reduce fatalities, targeted efforts should be made to prevent ground and air transportation incidents. Reducing nonfatal injuries may be accomplished by developing and evaluating interventions to prevent bodily stress and overexertion injuries.
BACKGROUND: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics serve as primary providers of urgent medical care and are integral components in disaster response. They are at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries during these activities. OBJECTIVES: To describe fatal and nonfatal injuries occurring to EMTs and paramedics. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) for the period 2003-2007. RESULTS: We identified 99,400 (95% confidence interval [CI], 71,700, 127,100) nonfatal injuries treated in emergency departments and 65 fatal injuries from the period 2003-2007. Most fatalities were related to motor vehicle incidents (45%) and aircraft crashes (31%). Among compensated EMTs and paramedics, the rate of fatal injuries was 6.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalents. Nonfatal injuries were primarily associated with stress on some part of the body from motion or overexertion (33%). Among all nonfatal injuries, the most common diagnosis was sprains and strains (38%). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency medical technicians and paramedics have higher fatal injury rates when compared with all workers. To reduce fatalities, targeted efforts should be made to prevent ground and air transportation incidents. Reducing nonfatal injuries may be accomplished by developing and evaluating interventions to prevent bodily stress and overexertion injuries.
Authors: Matthew D Weaver; P Daniel Patterson; Anthony Fabio; Charity G Moore; Matthew S Freiberg; Thomas J Songer Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2015-08-25 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Matthew D Weaver; P Daniel Patterson; Anthony Fabio; Charity G Moore; Matthew S Freiberg; Thomas J Songer Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2015-09-14 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: P Daniel Patterson; Daniel J Buysse; Matthew D Weaver; Brian P Suffoletto; Kyle L McManigle; Clifton W Callaway; Donald M Yealy Journal: Accid Anal Prev Date: 2014-10-15
Authors: P Daniel Patterson; Matthew D Weaver; Douglas P Landsittel; David Krackhardt; David Hostler; John E Vena; Ashley M Hughes; Eduardo Salas; Donald M Yealy Journal: Emerg Med J Date: 2015-11-27 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: Yu Shi; Haifeng Xue; Yuanshuo Ma; Licheng Wang; Tian Gao; Lei Shi; Yang Wang; Mei Cui; Chao Wang; Xi Yang; Ming Liu; Lihua Fan; Guanyun Yan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-04-16 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Stephanie C Griffin; Tracy L Regan; Philip Harber; Eric A Lutz; Chengcheng Hu; Wayne F Peate; Jefferey L Burgess Journal: Inj Prev Date: 2015-11-11 Impact factor: 2.399