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An astonishing four in five EMS workers
have experienced some kind of injury
or medical condition as a result of
their work, according to the National
Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
(NAEMT) "Experiences with Emergency
Medical Services Survey," conducted
by Harris Interactive.
A total of 1,356 NAEMT members participated
in the survey, jointly commissioned
by NAEMT and McNeil Consumer & Specialty
Pharmaceuticals, and reported that:
" More than one in two (52%) have
been assaulted by a patient;
" One in two (50%) have been exposed
to an infectious disease;
" Almost one in two (47%) have
sustained back injury while performing
EMS duties; and
" One in five (21%) have contracted
an illness from a patient.
"Clearly, these findings are striking,
and point to an important issue that
isn't being addressed to the level it
should," said NAEMT President-Elect
Jerry Johnston. "NAEMT needs to
take the lead on assuring that EMS workers
on the streets and riding in ambulances
every day have the necessary personal
protective equipment and training that
they need to be safe. We must work closely
with other national organizations and
our federal partners to assure that
EMT's and paramedics can do their jobs
without putting themselves in harm's
way."
Despite the dangers associated with
EMS work, most survey respondents reported
that they find their EMS work to be
both satisfying and challenging. Only
one in five (21%) ranked their personal
safety as their #1 concern about their
EMS work. Instead, the concerns cited
most often by respondents were:
" Training and education of EMS
personnel;
" Quality of patient clinical care;
and
" Funding for EMS.
"I am proud of NAEMT's record
in training and education of EMS personnel,"
Johnston said. "In addition to
our education courses, Prehospital Trauma
Life Support (PHTLS), Advanced Medical
Life Support (AMLS) and Prehospital
Pediatric Care (PPC), we have been very
involved in shaping the new EMS Scope
of Practice. We were the only national
organization to survey our members on
this subject and base our testimony
on input from our constituency. As far
as funding goes, we have been front
and center on advocating for a strong
and properly funded federal office of
EMS.
When asked, "What do you value
most about working in EMS?"
" 87% of those surveyed said "The
opportunity to help people in need."
" 63 % cited "The opportunity
to give back to the community,"
and
" 62 % noted both "The opportunity
to work in a variety of settings"
and "The desire to work in a medical
profession."
The more pragmatic reasons for working
in EMS included the fast-paced work
environment and the flexible schedule.
" 64% of those surveyed work as
paramedics, and 36% are EMTs.
" 80% are paid.
" 20% are volunteers.
" 66% of the paid workers are full-time
employees.
" 14 percent are paid part-time
employees.
The paid EMS workers were asked about
their wages,
39 percent said they receive $11 to
$20 per hour.
11% earn less than $10 per hour.
A majority of those surveyed (65%)
said that they are not adequately compensated
for their work.
The survey, conducted in June and July
2005, also asked some questions about
EMS training and found that while three
in five surveyed (62%) agreed that there
is adequate training for EMS personnel
in their communities, two-thirds (66%)
said that the EMS team in their community
is not adequately prepared for the possibility
of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
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