Literature on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has paid much attention to stressors, stress and symptoms, coping, and support of Emergency Medical Workers (EMWs). However, it has paid little attention to the needs of EMWs, and the satisfaction thereof, which should result in their improved well-being and motivation. In an attempt to rectify this imbalance, this study investigated the needs of EMWs as suggested by descriptions of their experiences within the EMS. Interviews were conducted with EMWs employed by a private EMS company. The interviews were analysed for emerging needs by means of interpretive analysis. These needs comprised the Need for Freedom, the Need for Competence, the Need for Recognition, the Need for a Challenge, and the Need to be Understood. The findings were linked with theory and it is proposed that the relevant EMS company incorporates participative management into its management approach. In addition suggestions are made for future research. / Psychology / M. A.(Psychology)

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D. Litt. et Phil. / This report presents the findings of a study conducted in February-March 1995, involving 109 members of different emergency services from three regions: Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The emergency services included in the study were three units of the South African Police Service (Visible Policing, the Internal Stability Unit and the Flying Squad), provincial fire and ambulance services, and municipal traffic services. The aims of the study were to: (1) describe the underlying causes of stress in the emergency services; (2) establish how stress is currently being dealt with by members and identify the structures and support systems available to assist members with stress-related problems; (3) identify constructive and destructive, effective and ineffective mechanisms used by members to cope with their stress, and (4) suggest solutions to problems experienced in managing stress in the emergency services. The study investigated stressors of SAPS members under the following themes: (1) public image of the SAPS, (2) management style in the SAPS, (3) communication in the SAPS, (4) working environment in the SAPS, (5) working conditions and remuneration packages, (6) distinct characteristics of the work of SAPS members, and (7) the priorities set by SAPS members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. The stressors of members of the fire and ambulance services were dealt with under the following themes: (1) utilisation of manpower in the organisation, (2) training provided to members, (3) management style in the fire and ambulance services, (4) distinct characteristics of the work of members of the fire and ambulance services, (5) remuneration packages, and (6) the priorities set by members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. The stressors of members of the traffic services were dealt with under the following themes: (1) the public image of the traffic services, (2) distinct characteristics of the work of traffic officials, (3) communication in the traffic services, (4) working conditions and remuneration packages and (5) the priorities set by members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. Regarding the support members of the emergency services receive within their organisations for managing stress, a number of sources of support were mentioned, such as social workers, psychologists and chaplains in the SAPS, support by supervisors, debriefing after traumatic events, stress management training, nursing sisters at ambulance stations, drinking and socialising, with the biggest form of support being "buddies". Regarding the co-operation between members of the different emergency services, the perception was that there was a very good relationship and good co-operation. Number of problems experienced in their day-to-day contact with each other were however mentioned.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In 2009, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Service (I-EMS, formerly Wishard Ambulance Service) launched an electronic medical record system within their ambulances and started to exchange patient data with the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC). This unique system allows EMS personnel in an ambulance to get important medical information prior to the patient’s arrival to the accepting hospital from incident scene. In this retrospective cohort study, we found EMS personnel made 3,021 patient data requests (14%) of 21,215 EMS transports during a one-year period, with a “success” match rate of 46%, and a match “failure” rate of 17%. The three major factors for causing match “failure” were (1) ZIP code 55%, (2) Patient Name 22%, and (3) Birth Date 12%. This study shows that the ZIP code is not a robust identifier in the patient identification process and Non-ZIP code identifiers may be a better choice due to inaccuracies and changes of the ZIP code in a patient’s record.