Background: Ambulance service workers frequently transfer and transport patients. These tasks involve occupational injury risks such as heavy lifting, awkward postures, and frequent motor vehicle travel.
Methods: We examined Ohio workers' compensation injury claims among state-insured ambulance service workers working for private employers from 2001 to 2011. Injury claim counts and rates are presented by claim types, diagnoses, and injury events; only counts are available by worker characteristics.
Results: We analyzed a total of 5882 claims. The majority were medical-only (<8 days away from work). The overall injury claim rate for medical-only and lost-time cases was 12.1 per 100 full-time equivalents. Sprains and strains accounted for 60% of all injury claims. Overexertion from patient handling was the leading injury event, followed by motor vehicle roadway incidents.
Conclusions: Study results can guide the development or improvement of injury prevention strategies. Focused efforts related to patient handling and vehicle incidents are needed.
Keywords: ambulance; emergency medical technicians; occupational injuries; surveillance; workers’ compensation.
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.