At 15:03 on an otherwise-normal afternoon in 2014, an 85-year-old male developed a sudden onset of right-sided weakness. Upon witnessing his symptoms, a family member called emergency medical services at 15:08. At 15:13 EMS arrived.
The crew’s initial exam demonstrated an alert and oriented 100-kg geriatric male with marked weakness of his right arm and leg. His past medical history included coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, deep vein thrombosis status post-IVC filter, hypertension, and chronic atrial fibrillation. As scene time progressed, the patient became progressively aphasic and altered, with a final Cincinnati Stroke Scale score of 2 for arm drift and slurred speech.
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Unto his nest again, Emily Dickinson
In this two-part series, the authors will shed a refocused light on crisis coping and the emotional challenges faced by EMS every day even prior to the psychologically fatiguing COVID-19 pandemic. They will share examples of new, realistically sustainable initiatives that can better support the psychological well-being of our EMS and other public safety families on the frontlines worldwide now and going forward.
The impact of EMS responses on the mental well-being of public safety personnel was appreciated long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but frank discussion about best practices in mitigation and interventions were largely lacking.
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