Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate available resources, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability, sanitation practices, institutional policies, and opinions among EMS professionals in the United States amid the COVID-19 pandemic using a self-report survey questionnaire. MethodsAn online 42-question multiple choice survey was randomly distributed between April 1, 2020, and April 16, 2020 to various active Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paid personnel in all 50 U.S. states including the District of Columbia (n = 192). We approximate a 95% confidence interval (±0.07). ResultsAn overwhelming number of EMS providers report having limited access to N95 respirators, receiving little or no benefits from COVID-19 related work, and report no institutional policy on social distancing practices despite CDC recommendations. For providers who do have access to N95 respirators, 31% report having to use the same mask for 1 week or longer. Approximately ⅓ of the surveyed participants were unsure of when a COVID-19 patient is infectious. The data suggests regular decontamination of EMS equipment after each patient contact is not a regular practice. DiscussionCurrent practices to educate EMS providers on appropriate response to the novel coronavirus may not be sufficient, and future patients may benefit from a nationally established COVID-19 EMS response protocol. Further investigation on whether current EMS practices are contributing to the spread of infection is warranted. The data reveals concerning deficits in COVID-19 related education and administrative protocols which pose as a serious public health concern that should be urgently addressed.
Highlights
As of April 16, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for approximately 632,548 infections and 31,071 deaths in the United States (CDC, 2020)
Response to COVID-19 in the pre-hospital setting is currently guided by the Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States (CDC, 2020)
This study aimed to investigate individual EMS provider competency and resource accessibility amid COVID-19 in the United States using a self-report survey questionnaire
Summary
As of April 16, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for approximately 632,548 infections and 31,071 deaths in the United States (CDC, 2020). Infection results in the development of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) (WHO, 2020). To SARS-CoV-2 while providing patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet data concerning Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and COVID19 is scarce. Response to COVID-19 in the pre-hospital setting is currently guided by the Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States (CDC, 2020). This study aimed to investigate individual EMS provider competency and resource accessibility amid COVID-19 in the United States using a self-report survey questionnaire. U.S States represented: 47, including the District of Columbia Licensed provider level:. - 10% Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or equivalent - 61% Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) or equivalent - 3% Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-I) or equivalent - 7% Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) or equivalent - 27% Paramedic (EMT-P) or equivalent - 2% EMS Registered Nurse - 1% Other Number of providers nationally registered: 63% Degree level held: - 5% Not applicable - 50% High school diploma, GED, or equivalent - 19% Associate's degree - 20% Bachelor's degree - 6% Masters degree Responding environment: - 47% Urban - 72% Suburban - 39% Rural - 21% Wilderness
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