EMS professionals often find themselves in extremely challenging scenarios that demand quick thinking and even quicker action. During an emergency or urgent medical situation, they may face tragic scenarios that can have long term mental and emotional impacts.
Understandably, these incidents can be very distressing for EMS workers. The resulting guilt, stress, and feelings of inadequacy can impair their work performance, affect their drive and focus, and even cause them to make further mistakes. In some cases, they may even be discouraged from continuing to work in the EMS profession.
This is why it is necessary to provide EMS professionals with adequate support when they face these tough situations. While it is necessary to acknowledge the seriousness of ‘bad’ calls, it is just as important to give some leeway for human nature and allow the workers in question to continue to perform their duties without recrimination.
The importance of ambiguity with regard to ‘bad’ calls
Using ambiguous language is an often-neglected aspect of supporting EMS personnel that have to deal with tragic or distressing calls. Although there are some cases wherein the negative impact of a ‘bad’ call is undeniable, many other incidents can have both positive and negative aspects.
For example, a particular incident may be a tragedy for the victims. But the same situation could teach other team members valuable lessons in providing emergency care services. Other incidents may have long-term emotional impacts, but provide essential clinical challenges that could improve work performance.
Of course, there are cases wherein referring to it as a ‘bad’ call is the only logical reaction. Some incidents can’t be referred to anything other than such, maybe due to the scope of the tragedy or the loss of life involved. Even so, it might be worth considering some of the more positive aspects of every call, especially when providing support to EMS team members.
Instituting a support culture
The workplace itself should be a supportive environment that acknowledges the humanness of its workers. Of course, every effort should be made to address errors, prevent mistakes, and reduce bad judgment calls. But supervisors and coworkers should realize that mistakes are bound to happen, especially during extremely high stress situations.
One of the ways by which EMS supervisors and staff can support their coworkers is being present at the scene of a ‘bad’ call. Doing so helps reinforce the organization’s support culture and enhances the entire team’s cohesiveness.
This simple act of awareness can work wonders for boosting morale and encouraging staff members that have been involved in bad calls. But more than being present at the scene, support personnel may also provide more meaningful assistance such as debriefing and follow up support.
The role of chaplains in EMS
A study conducted by New South Wales Ambulance highlighted the value of proactive and reactive by EMS chaplains. The largest multi-faith ambulance chaplaincy program in Australia, the organization revealed that chaplains often played a crucial role in supporting EMS personnel involved in difficult and emotionally-charged calls.
For some EMS workers, there is great value in getting support from someone outside the chain of command. Many perceive chaplains as authority figures that are solely focused on their personal welfare. And because of their ability to connect them to further support services, chaplains can be essential additions to managerial and clinical support systems.
Onsite support
EMS supervisors may want to consider providing onsite support for field personnel especially during particularly challenging calls. Understandably, this can be difficult or even impossible due to time or logistical constraints and other factors. Even so, every effort must be made to provide support as soon as possible.
It is especially vital to check in on personnel handling calls that have a high likelihood of causing emotional distress. These include cases involving patients that the EMS personnel know personally, high profile cases, and incidents involving children. Because of the potential to elicit a powerful emotional response and personal impact, these cases often require immediate support.
Conclusion
Providing support is an essential aspect of managing and maintaining an EMS team. But more than just being supportive, coworkers and managers should address each situation in a way that allows the individuals in question to continue to perform their roles. Supporting personnel should acknowledge the severity of certain calls openly and make concessions for human nature and other factors. The person should then be allowed to go on about their duties without judgment.
About Provident Insurance Programs
With roots dating back to 1902, Provident Insurance Programs is a program administrator that serves paid and volunteer firefighters in addition to emergency medical responders with numerous custom-tailored insurance programs. We’ve also extended our expertise and experience to offer benefit plans and coverages to participant groups as well as Transportation Benefits. We are committed to continuing to provide superior customer service, and would be happy to speak with you to provide further information. Give us a call today at (855) 201-8880 to speak with one of our representatives.