Four in five medics have experienced some kind of injury or medical condition as a result of their work, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). A total of 1,356 NAEMT members participated in the survey, jointly commissioned by NAEMT and McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
Other results included:
* More than one in two have been assaulted by a patient
* One in two have been exposed to an infectious disease
* One in finve have contracted an illness from a patient
* Almost one in two have sustained a back injury while performing EMS duties
However, only 21% ranked their personal safety as their primary 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.
The organization indicated it would use the results from the survey to advocate for better protective equipment and training.
Too Much Noise Can Stop Your Heart
Noise level is associated with a risk for myocardial infarction, according to the results of a case-control study published in the Advance Access issue from the European Heart Journal. From 1998 to 2001, the Noise and Risk of Myocardial Infarction study enrolled 4,115 patients consecutively admitted to all 32 major hospitals in Berlin with confirmed diagnosis of acute MI. Of these patients, there were 3,054 men and 1,061 women. The results indicated that men, but not women, have a marginally increased risk of MI associated with annoyance by environmental noise. Risk of MI was not associated with annoyance by work noice. Environmental noise was associated with increased risk in both men and women while work noise was associated with increase risk in men only.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/517923?src=nldne
New Rules On On-The-Job HIV Exposure
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have updated their 2001 guidelines on management of occupational exposures to HIV and recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis. The updated guidelines are published in MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. Since the previous update in 2001, the Food and Drug Administration has approved new antiretroviral agents, and additional information has come to light regarding the use and safety of HIV PEP. Changes in the guidelines include a modified and expanded list of antiretroviral medications to be considered as options for PEP.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/513928.
New Guidelines Simplify CPR
The American Heart Association has published new guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care in the Rapid Access issue of CIRCULATION. The most significant changes in the guidelines attempt to simplify CPR instruction, to increase the number of chest compressions delivered per minute, and to reduce interruptions in chest compressions during CPR. Complete guidelines are available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035517.