EMS
Lift and Transfer Individuals Safely While Minimizing Risks for Staff
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers are important to public health and safety. However, work-related injuries present a challenge to EMS worker productivity and retention. Research shows that EMS workers have higher rates of work-related injuries than the general workforce, and three times the lost workday rate of all private-industry workers.1, 2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors EMS workers’ injuries, and in the most recent data set available, more than 27,000 EMS workers experienced on-the-job injuries and illnesses, and more than 21% of those injuries were to the lower back.3
- Stairwell Evacuations – Navigating stairwells during an evacuation is extremely challenging. The right tools are necessary to protect the individual being evacuated, and the EMS staff. Air-assisted devices allow for safer moves and transfers, especially when dealing with bariatric or unresponsive individuals. EMS workers lift and move individuals by creating a cushion of air beneath the patient, significantly reducing the force required to move them, allowing for safer transfers with minimal lifting or strain on the EMS staff.
- Vehicle Extractions – EMS professionals are vital in vehicle extrication, where the safety and well-being of accident victims are their top priority. However, the urgency of rescue operations can expose EMS staff to potential injuries due to the physical demands of maneuvering individuals. Air-assisted devices are designed to mitigate this risk, enabling safer and more efficient handling of the injured person, thereby protecting the EMS crew while ensuring timely, effective care.
- Emergency Room – Air-assisted devices enhance patient transfer efficiency, streamlining the process from EMS to the ER, facilitating seamless lateral transfers, and ensuring smooth transitions to off-unit and radiology departments. These devices reduce the risk of injury for both patients and healthcare professionals, including nurses, respiratory therapists, clinicians, and EMS providers.
The use of air-assisted devices in EMS optimizes workflow efficiency, reduces physical strain on staff, enhances comfort for individuals, improves outcomes, and increases overall satisfaction.
Future Implications
The future of safe patient handling for EMS will feature advanced technologies like smart assistive devices, enhanced monitoring systems, and improved lifting equipment, all designed to enable safer, more efficient transfers while minimizing injury risks for both individuals and healthcare workers, supported by education, standardized protocols, and a patient-centered approach.
1Reichard AA, Marsh SM, Tonozzi TR, Konda S, Gormley MA. Occupational injuries and exposures among emergency medical services workers. Prehosp Emerg Care.
2017;21(4):420-431.
2Maguire BJ, Smith S. Injuries and fatalities among emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the United States. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):376-382.
3Access EMS injury data and prevention resources: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ems
