Riding to the Rescue: A Comprehensive Review of Health and Safety Measures in Ambulance Cars

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v14i2.55311

Keywords:

control measures, emergency medical service, hazards, occupational health and safety, risk factors

Abstract

Paramedics are registered health professionals in numerous countries. Whilst ambulance services must prioritize their patients, they also require personnel to be healthy to perform at their utmost to provide optimal patient care. Ambulance transport is associated with predictable and likely preventable occupant hazards. Ambulance services provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and shift work is known to be a risk factor for poor health. Working unsociable hours has detrimental consequences on the health and well-being of healthcare workers and can ultimately result in compromised patient care. Ambulance service utilization rates are high, with paramedics working in unpredictable environments, and undertaking complex clinical and manual handling tasks whilst caring for critically unwell patients; thus, there are several reasons postulated for poor health in this professional group. These include injuries, serious infections, high rates of musculoskeletal diseases, stress, and mental health problems. This review article aims to identify the occupational risks in an ambulance service, assess their impact on the health of employees, and explore control measures that can be implemented to reduce the risks and improve the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

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Author Biographies

Amna M Almaazmi, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Higher Colleges of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sharjah Women Campus, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

E-mail: H00460850@hct.ac.ae

Shamma H Alhammadi, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Higher Colleges of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sharjah Women Campus, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

E-mail: H00460839@hct.ac.ae

Amna A Al Ali, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Higher Colleges of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sharjah Women Campus, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

E-mail: H00460840@hct.ac.ae

Najat I Alzaabi, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Higher Colleges of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sharjah Women Campus, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

E-mail: H00460937@hct.ac.ae

Joelle Makoukji Kiklikian, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Women Campus, Faculty of Health Sciences, University City Road, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Corresponding author)

Telephone: +971 2 206 6291 Fax: +971 6 558 5435

E-mail: jkiklikian@hct.ac.ae

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Published

2024-03-25

How to Cite

Almaazmi, A. M., Alhammadi, S. H., Al Ali, A. A., Alzaabi, N. I., & Kiklikian, J. M. (2024). Riding to the Rescue: A Comprehensive Review of Health and Safety Measures in Ambulance Cars. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 14(2), 282–293. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v14i2.55311

Issue

Section

Review

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