Sleep, safety & fatigue: Improving EMS health with Dr. Dan Patterson

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Dr. Dan Patterson, a clinician-scientist specializing in safety in emergency care settings. Dr. Patterson’s work centers around critical factors in EMS safety, such as sleep health, shift work, fatigue and their combined effects on clinician well-being.

Timeline of key discussion points

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Dan Patterson

Dr. Patterson’s background and how his clinical experience as a paramedic informs his research on EMS safety and sleep health

 

04:30 – The Impact of Shift Work and Fatigue on EMS Providers

Discussing the direct effects of fatigue on EMS professionals, including medical errors, cognitive performance and decision-making

 

10:00 – The Science of Sleep in EMS

Why sleep is critical for EMS personnel and the unique challenges they face in getting adequate rest during shift work

 

15:00 – Development of Safety Measurement Tools

Dr. Patterson explains the creation of safety tools to track fatigue, sleep health and workplace injury rates in EMS settings

 

20:30 – Experimental Studies and Interventions

Overview of studies testing novel approaches to mitigating fatigue, including practical solutions and interventions in EMS environments

 

25:00 – Creating a Safety Culture in EMS

The role of leadership and teamwork in reducing fatigue-related errors and fostering a culture of safety in EMS organizations

 

30:00 – Key Takeaways and How Agencies Can Implement Changes

Final thoughts on how EMS agencies can integrate Dr. Patterson's findings and create healthier, safer work environments for their teams