Emergency medical services workers who are tired are more likely to take actions that are errors or lead to injuries in patients. This correlation between sleep and medical errors may not come as a surprise to many but now research conducted by individuals in the U.S. supports it. The lead author of the study is from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The data collected that provides these numbers is based on questionnaire completed by 511 EMS workers throughout the nation. The questionnaire looked at both physical as well as mental fatigue. In addition, a survey was given seeking information on medical errors, injuries to patients as a result of an action taken by the provider and behaviors that might compromise safety. An example of this would be speeding. This information was used in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

The study found that over half of the EMS workers who responded were fatigued. Of this number, 18 percent indicated that they had inflicted an injury. Even more, 41 percent reported committing a medical error and a whopping 90 percent indicated they had behaved in a manner that compromised safety.

According to the study's findings, the likelihood of an injury occurring was 1.9 greater when the EMS worker was fatigued, compared to those who were not fatigued. It also determined that the odds of committing a medical error were 2.2 times greater and the odds of engaging in behavior that could result in a compromise of safety was 3.6 greater.

Source: UPI.com, "EMS fatigue linked to injuries, errors," Nov. 19, 2011