Abstract
BackgroundInsufficient sleep is a common health and safety risk factor in high-impact workplaces where workers are required to take rotating shifts. However, studies on sleepiness-related risks and incidents, particularly among emergency medical services (EMS) workers are limited.ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the prevalence of sleepiness and related workplace incidents among EMS workers.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional survey design on a convenient sample of 500 EMS workers from 41 EMS squads across Taiwan. Data were collected using structured online questionnaires on workplace sleepiness and related safety incidents based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a modified 25-item EMS Safety Inventory respectively.ResultsWith a response rate of 79.8% (n = 399), 36.9% of the respondents were identified as having mild daytime sleepiness, while 39.2% of the respondents were identified as having excessive daytime sleepiness. Multivariate analysis indicated that not only was working on rotating shifts the main cause of the high ESS scores among EMS workers, but also that higher ESS scores increased their risk of sustaining a workplace injury. Furthermore, ill-at-work incidents were associated with an increased risk of workplace-related injuries.ConclusionOverall, the findings indicated a correlation among working on rotation shifts, the prevalence of sleepiness, and a higher risk of workplace injury among EMS workers.
Highlights
Fire departments across Taiwan, through their emergency medical services (EMS), are responsible for the provision of free around-the-clock ambulatory care services to patients who need an urgent medical response [1]
With a response rate of 79.8% (n = 399), 36.9% of the respondents were identified as having mild daytime sleepiness, while 39.2% of the respondents were identified as having excessive daytime sleepiness
Multivariate analysis indicated that was working on rotating shifts the main cause of the high Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores among EMS workers, and that higher ESS scores increased their risk of sustaining a workplace injury
Summary
Fire departments across Taiwan, through their emergency medical services (EMS), are responsible for the provision of free around-the-clock ambulatory care services to patients who need an urgent medical response [1]. Since it was founded in 1995, the EMS system has witnessed a continued increase in demand for its services across the country. With the increased demand for the EMS services, the prevalence of sleepiness is high among the EMS workers, which leads to work related injuries. Insufficient sleep is a common health and safety risk factor in high-impact workplaces where workers are required to take rotating shifts.
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