EMTs, paramedics often injured on the job
Published: Jan. 8, 2008 at 9:55 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Almost 10 percent of U.S. emergency medical technicians and paramedics miss work at any given time because of on-the-job injuries and illnesses.
The study, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, suggests that annually an estimated 8.1 of every 100 emergency responders suffer an injury or illness forcing them to miss work.
First author Jonathan Studnek, a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at Ohio State University in Columbus, said the rate of injuries requiring an absence from work for first responders far exceeds the national average of 1.3 per 100 lost-work injury cases reported in 2006.
The study also found work-related and health conditions most likely linked to injuries includes: responding to a high volume of emergency calls, working in bigger cities and having a history of back problems.
"There is a relatively high incidence of lost-work injuries among emergency medical services professionals, and those injuries are related to the work they do." Studnek said in a statement. "The ultimate goal is to find a way to reduce injuries. But first we have to understand how big a problem it is."
The study, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, suggests that annually an estimated 8.1 of every 100 emergency responders suffer an injury or illness forcing them to miss work.
First author Jonathan Studnek, a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at Ohio State University in Columbus, said the rate of injuries requiring an absence from work for first responders far exceeds the national average of 1.3 per 100 lost-work injury cases reported in 2006.
The study also found work-related and health conditions most likely linked to injuries includes: responding to a high volume of emergency calls, working in bigger cities and having a history of back problems.
"There is a relatively high incidence of lost-work injuries among emergency medical services professionals, and those injuries are related to the work they do." Studnek said in a statement. "The ultimate goal is to find a way to reduce injuries. But first we have to understand how big a problem it is."
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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