EMS Professional Wellness Guide

• Maintaining wellness is crucial for longevity and effectiveness in the physically and mentally demanding field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
• EMS professionals face unique challenges like high-stress situations, shift work, exposure to trauma, physical strain, and risk of infectious diseases.
• EMS professionals must prioritize mental and physical health to perform their duties effectively.

Physical Wellness

• Proper nutrition fuels the body for long shifts and high-energy tasks.
• Balanced diet should focus on lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
• Hydration, drinking water throughout shifts can prevent dehydration and fatigue.
• Avoid processed foods and excessive sugar because these can lead to energy crashes.
• Caffeine helps alertness but can cause dehydration and dependence, so moderation is key.
• Exercise and fitness help with lifting patients safely, reducing injury risk, maintaining cardiovascular health, and enhancing stress resilience.
• Routine cardiovascular training is recommended, such as running, biking, or swimming, 3-5 times a week.
• Strength training should focus on core, back, and legs to support lifting and moving patients.
• Flexibility training, such as stretching and mobility work, is important in preventing injuries.
• Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue and poor decision-making.
• Consistently maintaining a regular sleep schedule is important.
• Pre-shift naps, 20- to 30-minute naps before shifts can help alertness.
• Sleep environment matters, using dark and cool environments with blackout curtains and white noise is key.
• Limiting caffeine and screens before sleep reduces melatonin disruption.

Injury Prevention & Body Mechanics

• Improper lifting and moving of patients can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
• Use legs instead of back for lifting.
• Keep loads close to the body.
• Utilize team lifting and mechanical aids like stair chairs and stretchers.
• Maintain good posture when standing and sitting.

Mental & Emotional Wellness

• EMS is inherently stressful leading to burnout and mental health issues if left unchecked.
• Signs of burnout include emotional exhaustion, cynicism or detachment, decreased job performance, and sleep disturbances.
• Peer support & counseling; talking with colleagues or mental health professionals is one stress reduction strategy.
• Participating in exercise & hobbies outside of EMS can also reduce stress.
• Reducing overtime and healthy coping mechanisms, such as avoiding substance abuse, are important.
• Repeated exposure to trauma can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Signs of PTSD include flashbacks or nightmares, emotional numbing, and hypervigilance or irritability.
• Management of PTSD includes Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD) and seeking therapy if symptoms persist.
• Building a strong support system within EMS and at home is important.
• EMS professionals have a higher suicide risk due to job-related trauma, chronic stress and lack of support, and substance abuse.
• Warning signs of suicidal thoughts include withdrawal, expressions of hopelessness, and giving away personal belongings.
• Encouraging open conversations about mental health can help with prevention.
• Promote access to Employee Assistance Programs.
• Recognize warning signs and intervene early.

Infectious Disease & Scene Safety

• EMS professionals are at high risk of bloodborne and airborne infections, requiring strict infection control practices.
• Gloves should be worn for all patient contact.
• Goggles and masks should be used when risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
• Gowns are for large exposure risks.
• Hand hygiene (washing hands frequently) is essential.
• Always assess scene safety before approaching a scene.
• Be alert to weapons, aggressive behavior, or environmental hazards.
• Use law enforcement assistance when needed.

Public Health & EMS

• Public health is refers to organized efforts to promote health, prevent disease, and improve quality of life for populations.
• Public health focuses on disease prevention, health education and community interventions.
• EMS bridges the gap between emergency care and public health services including providing immediate medical care, transporting patients, educating communities, and collaborating with public health agencies.
• Community Paramedicine (CP) & Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) expands EMS beyond emergency response.
• CP and MIH provides preventive care and chronic disease management.
• CP and MIH reduces hospital readmissions and unnecessary ER visits.
• Prevent injury & illness with programs that focus on fall prevention, seat belts, opioid overdose prevention, and vaccinations.
• EMS plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness & response involving natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and terrorist attacks.
• Key responsibilities in disaster response include triage, patient transport, medical care at disaster sites, and coordination with public health agencies.
• Maintaining physical fitness, managing stress, and ensuring proper infection control are critical for long-term career success in EMS.
• EMS providers play a vital role in enhancing public health through prevention programs.
• Prioritizing personal wellness and actively engaging in public health efforts improves both individual patient outcomes and overall community health.
• Physical wellness can be attained through proper diet, hydration, exercise, and sleep.
• Injuries can be prevented with proper lifting techniques and fitness.
• Stress and mental health should be managed, with peer support, counseling, and self-care.
• Infection control protocols and PPE usage are important.
• EMS's role in public health, including community paramedicine and injury prevention is crucial.
• Disaster preparedness improves emergency response and community resilience.