By Rachel Engel
CLINTON, Mass. — A new report by the National Association of EMTs revealed the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on EMS agencies and personnel.
The study included responses from EMS agency leaders in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., and was a follow up to a similar study conducted in April 2020.
According to the responses, “much of the EMS workforce is operating with high levels of stress, fatigue and burnout,” a press release from NAEMT read, and staffing shortages are exacerbating the situation.
Financial challenges were also a concern of respondents, particularly in rural EMS.
However, the survey also found that the industry “has demonstrated its ability to provide timely, cost-effective, patient-centered care throughout the pandemic.”
In a statement, NAEMT President Bruce Evans said, “Our federal, state and local governments cannot afford to ignore the toll that the pandemic has had on our EMS agencies and their personnel. They must actively ensure that our EMS system has access to resources and support to help them recover from the strains of the pandemic so that they may continue to serve patients in need.”
Read a full report of the survey here.
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