ABSTRACTS
The EMS Workforce Reducing Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in North CarolinaAuthor: Antonio R. Fernandez | | Associate Authors: Tom Mitchell, James E. Winslow, James A. Hood, Chuck Lewis, Remle P. Crowe, J. Brent Myers, Alison Treichel, Scott S. Bourn
Introduction In North Carolina (NC), workforce shortages of field EMS clinicians represent an important area for concern. The NC Office of EMS noted that shortages have been exacerbated following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the extent is unclear. Objective To compare the number of NC-credentialed EMS professionals who provided EMS patient care in 2019 versus 2021. Methods This retrospective observational study examined all credentialed EMS professionals in NC in 2019 and 2021. Study data were obtained from the NC EMS Data System, provided by ESO (Austin, TX). EMS professionals providing patient care were identified by state ID appearing on ≥ 1 electronic health record (EHR) during the study period. EMS certification level and number of responses were evaluated. Comparisons were made before and after 2020 (January 1, 2019–December 31, 2019 versus January 1, 2021–December 31, 2021). Descriptive statistics and percent change were calculated. Results In 2019, there were 1,907,164 EMS activations, compared to 2,091,249 in 2021 (10% increase). The number of credentialed EMS professionals decreased 7% (2019 = 45,726; 2021 = 42,467). The largest reduction (12% decrease) was seen among the total number of paramedics (2019 = 7,082; 2021 = 6,235). The total number of EMS professionals who appeared on ≥ 1 EHR decreased by 3% (2019 = 11,905; 2021 = 11,559). The median number of records among all credentialed EMS professionals on ≥ 1 EHR increased from 234 (IQR: 56–457) in 2019 to 244 (IQR: 62–500) in 2021. The median number of records among paramedics on ≥ 1 EHR increased from 317 (IQR: 116–516) in 2019 to 323 (IQR: 111–553) in 2021. The median number of records among EMT-Basics on ≥ 1 EHR increased from 116 (IQR: 26–314) in 2019 to 162 (IQR: 37–420) in 2021. The median number of records among AEMTs on ≥ 1 EHR increased from 146 (IQR: 29–376) in 2019 to 155 (IQR: 28–399) in 2021. Finally, the median number of records among medical responders on ≥ 1 EHR increased from 9 (IQR: 2–30) in 2019 to 25 (IQR: 3–105) in 2021. Conclusion In the face of rising EMS call volume, the NC EMS workforce saw a substantial decline in credentialed EMS professionals and those providing prehospital patient care, raising concerns related to burnout and future workforce reductions.
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