STRESS IN EMSWell Being of the Pre-Hospital Care Provider

Introduction

• How can we help others if we can’t help ourselves?

Wellness

Wellness has 3 components Physical Mental Emotional

Physical Well Being

Nutrition Nutrients Food groups Principles of weight control Tips to change behavior

Physical Well-Being

Physical fitness Benefits Cardiovascular endurance Muscular Strength Muscular Flexibility

Physical Well-Being

Sleep Disruption Signs of depression

Physical Well-Being

Disease Prevention Cardiovascular Disease Cancer Infectious Disease

Physical Well-Being

Injury Prevention Body Mechanics during lifting/moving Hostile Environments Rescue Situations Safe Vehicle Operations Safety Equipment and Supplies

Mental & Emotional Health

Substance misuse/abuse control Anxiety & Stress Personal Time Family, Community, Peer connections Freedom from Prejudice

Cultural Differences Individual Differences

Stress

Three stages of stress response Alarm Reaction Resistance Exhaustion

Stress

Factors that trigger stress response Physiological and psychological

effects Normal, health response Detrimental, unhealthy response

Signs and symptoms of stress Physical Emotional Cognitive Behavioral

Stress

Causes of stress in EMS Environmental Stress Psychosocial Stress Personality Stress

Stress

Reactions to Stress Reactions are individual

Adaptation Dynamic evolving process Defense Coping Problem Solving Mastery

Stress

Stress Management Techniques Critical Incident Stress Management

Organized, formal, peer, mental health Components of CISM Situation in which CISM should be

considered Techniques for reducing crisis-

induced stress

Coping with Death

Patient and Family needs Stages of grieving process

Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance

Coping with Death

Needs of the Paramedic when dealing with death and the dying

Coping with Death

Developmental considerations when dealing with death and dying Newborn to three Three to six Six to nine Nine to twelve Elderly

PREVENTING DISEASE TRANSMISSION

Terminology

Air/Blood borne pathogens Exposure Cleaning, Disinfecting, Sterilization Body Substance Isolation/ Universal

Precautions

Source of Exposure

Needle stick Broken or scraped skin Mucous membranes

Protection

Follow work practices Maintain good health and hygiene

habits Maintain immunizations Periodic TB screening Body Substance Isolation Cleaning, Disinfecting, Disposing of

materials/ equipment

Well Being

Periodic Risk Assessment Documenting and Managing an

exposure