Sleep Deprivation in EMS || A Silent Killer

Sleep Deprivation in EMS 🚑

As EMS providers, we know the calls don’t stop at a convenient 5 pm and kindly permit us a full night of rest. The tones drop day and night making it difficult to rest and relax. 

Is it something we are accustomed to? Yes.

Can the effects, however, be devastating? Absolutely.

Here’s the thing – Serious health conditions can develop over time due to work-induced sleep deprivation and, unfortunately, those aren’t the only dangers. 

What can sleep deprivation cause?

⚠️The development of health disorders like insomnia, cardiac issues, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders can be a consequence of chronic sleep deprivation.

⚠️Impaired cognitive function due to lack of sleep can affect overall decision-making and reaction times. There are times EMS providers need to make split-second decisions and it can be very challenging with little to no sleep. 

⚠️Patient safety could be in jeopardy due to sleep-deprived EMS personnel. Providers may experience decreased alertness, leading to errors in care, treatment, and medication administration.

⚠️The operation of vehicles in a sleep-deprived state increases the risk of accidents. This endangers EMS personnel, the patient and others on the road. 

⚠️The current emotional well-being of EMS providers is compromised when they have not slept. It can lead to irritability, increased stress levels & possibly even the desire to throat-punch your partner (kidding…kind of).

💤 What Can We Do?

⚡️Awareness: Sleep deprivation shouldn’t be a badge of honor or a writ of passage. Providers & supervisors should be educated about the signs and how to act accordingly. 

⚡️Supportive Policies: Departments & EMS services can implement shift schedules that prioritize rest, provide adequate breaks and prohibit working past a certain # of hours 

⚡️Self-Care: Prioritize your health! Go to the doctor, take walks, spend time with your family, get a massage, take a bubble bath, etc. 

Can we go 1 or 2 days with only a few hours of sleep? Physically, yes! 

Should we? Definitely not!

You only get one brain & body, treat it well!!