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Supporting Canada's frontline

Canadian work disability prevention management system standard for paramedics

Develop, promote, and disseminate a nationally applicable Canadian Paramedic Work Disability Prevention Standard and related tools to help prevent and manage work disability, specifically those associated with Operational Stress Injuries.

Funding agency: Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC): CSSP-2017-CP-2310

Our key project partners: Canadian Standard Associations (CSA), Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (CRWDP), Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC), Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC), County of Renfrew

Status: Ongoing

The prevention and management of work disability is a significant challenge for paramedic services. It also has an impact beyond the workplace – affecting individuals outside of work, families, and communities. As a result, development of paramedic health and wellness standards is listed as a priority in the Paramedics Association of Canada (PAC) 2016-2018 Strategic Plan.

Work disability prevention and management is often dealt with reactively and differently in each paramedic organization. Since work disability prevention and management is not integrated within management systems, and not systematized across the paramedic community, it can be very resource intensive and not as effective as it could be. Therefore, developing an evidence-informed and unified/standardized approach will fill a critical gap. It will enable the collection of consistent data for continuous improvement and ongoing/future research. In addition, the Standard has the potential and capacity to address a wide range of disabilities, including physical disabilities such as those caused by musculoskeletal disorders.

The main objective of this study is to develop, promote, and disseminate a nationally applicable Canadian Paramedic Work Disability Prevention Standard and related tools to help prevent and manage work disability, specifically those associated with Operational Stress Injuries.

Publications: Du, B., Yung, M., Gruber, J., Tompa, E., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Work Disability Management of PTSI in Paramedic Service Organizations: A Needs Assessment. Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON.

Du, B., Yung, M., Gruber, J., Tompa, E., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Prevention & Management of PTSI in Paramedic Service Organizations: An Environmental Scan of Recommended Programs and Practices. Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON.

Project manager: Bronson Du, MSc

Canadian first responder fatigue risk management standard

Develop an evidence-informed National Standard on First Responder Workplace Fatigue Risk Management which will be used across Canada to improve first responder health and wellness and will support the collection of consistent, national data that will inform the development of a robust and comprehensive Canadian First Responder Information System.

Funding agency: Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) [CSSP 2018-CP-2366]

Our key project partners: Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC), Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC), County of Renfrew

Status: Ongoing

First responders are at high risk of suffering decrements in neurocognitive performance related to fatigue. Such performance decrements endanger not only the personal health and safety of these responders but also the health and safety of their fellow responders and the public they serve. For these reasons, first responders constitute an occupational group that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of fatigue. Managing responder fatigue and mitigating its associated health and safety risks are therefore essential to protect first responder and public health and safety.

The objective of this project is to develop an evidence-informed National Standard on First Responder Workplace Fatigue Risk Management which will be used across Canada to improve first responder health and wellness and will support the collection of consistent, national data that will inform the development of a robust and comprehensive Canadian First Responder Information System. This will ultimately advance first responder professions by making accurate data available for research, improved operational practice, informed decision-making and policy development, improved frontline personnel health and safety, and improved patient and community outcomes.

Publications:

Yung, M., Du, B., Gruber, J., & Yazdani, A. (2021). Developing a Canadian fatigue risk management standard for first responders: Defining the scope. Safety Science, 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105044.

Gruber, J., Yung, M., Du, B., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Current fatigue risk management strategies for first responders. Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON.

Yung, M., Gruber, J., Du, B., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Fatigue risk management for first responders: Current landscape of perspectives, policies, and practices. Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON.

Yung, M., Gruber, J., Du, B., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Fatigue risk management for first responders: State of knowledge. Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON.

Conference presentations: Yung, M., Meyer, R., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Developing a national standard on first responder workplace fatigue risk management. Virtually Fire Rescue Canada 2020 Webinar Series. October 28, 2020.

Project manager: Marcus Yung, PhD, CPE

Canadian standard for paramedic ground emergency response vehicles and equipment

Develop a Canadian Standard that specifies minimum human factors/ergonomic design and usage requirements for emergency response vehicles and equipment with consideration to paramedic and patient safety and infection control.

Funding agency: Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) [CSSP-2016-CP-2285]

Our key project partners: Canadian Standard Associations, Paramedic Association of Canada, Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, Centre of Research Expertise for Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD), County of Frontenac

Status: Ongoing

Strengthening the capacity of the paramedic community through the development of standards pertaining to the design and use of next generation ambulances and equipment is an important issue identified by the paramedic community and scientists. Paramedics are 2.9 times more likely to suffer from injuries that required time away from work, and 13 times more likely to suffer from low back pain when compared to other industries. Considering the complex and dynamic work, the elevated injury rates may not be surprising. For example, the frequent need to extricate and transfer patients on to and off of backboards, stretchers and stair chairs also expose paramedics to human factors/ergonomic (HFE) hazards, such as high forces, awkward postures, and repetitive movements. Although the essential tasks of patient handling, care, and transport cannot be eliminated, the design of the ambulance and its associated equipment, which play a significant role in how paramedics interact with their patients, is modifiable.

Since paramedics use the ambulances and equipment that are provided by their employers, they often rely on manufacturers and procurement personnel to consider their interactions with the work system, i.e., core principles of ergonomics, when designing or purchasing products. However, these general principles may not be sufficient because ergonomic guidelines, standards, and research specific to ambulances and paramedic equipment are either not readily accessible or applicable. On the contrary, ambulance and equipment design standards, which are mandated and used as a basis for communicating design requirements, provide limited guidance on HFE principles.

The objective of this project is to develop a Canadian Standard that specifies minimum HFE design and usage requirements for emergency response vehicles and equipment with consideration to paramedic and patient safety and infection control.

Main deliverable: Canadian Standard on Ergonomic Design of Ambulances and Related Equipment (CSA D500)

Infographics to support the implementation of CSA D500

Peer-reviewed publications:

Du, B., Boileau, M., Wierts, K., Hignett, S., Fischer, S., & Yazdani, A. (2019). Existing science on human factors and ergonomics in the design of ambulances and EMS equipment. Prehospital emergency care, 23(5):631-646. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1568651

Du, B., Boileau, M., Wierts, K., Karch, S. B., Yung, M., Fischer, S., & Yazdani, A. (2020). Exploring the need for and application of human factors and ergonomics in ambulance design: Overcoming the barriers with technical standards. Applied Ergonomics, 88, 103144. Doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103144

KTE activities: Carrier, R., Chevailier, G., Meyers, R., Poirier, P., Yazdani, A. (2020, October 7). Introducing the New CSA D500:20 Ergonomic Design for Ambulances and Related Equipment Standard: Benefits and Application for Paramedics. Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Bruce, G., Fischer, S., Yazdani, A., (2020, November 2). Implementation Implications of the New CSA D500:20 Ergonomic Design for Ambulances and Related Equipment Standard: From Operations to the Front Line. Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Du, B. (2020, November 24). Improving Design for Ambulances Using an Ergonomic Lens: Lessons Learned. Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Amin Yazdani, Steven Fischer. (2019). Inclusion of HFE Principles in the Development of a National Design Standard for Ambulances. International Scientific Conference on Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (PREMUS), Bologna, Italy.

Project manager: Bronson Du, MSc

Rapid guideline to address the mental health impact of COVID-19 among Canadian paramedics

Rapidly mobilize solutions and expertise to develop a rapid guideline for the paramedic community to prevent and manage mental health injuries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding agency: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program

Our key project partners: CSA Group, Paramedic Association of Canada, Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, Public Services Health and Safety Association, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, Alberta Health Services, and OPSEU Local 277 Peel Paramedics

Status: Ongoing

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization. For millions of Canadians, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people live, work, and interact within their communities. Frontline healthcare workers, such as paramedics, have risen to the challenge, playing a vital role in maintaining public health and safety, and responding to calls, in the face of the COVID-19 health crisis. Paramedics, however, are a high-risk worker group for developing mental health injuries due to a unique set of stressors. Paramedic service organizations have expressed their concern that the COVID-19 pandemic will be an additional significant stressor for their frontline staff, further increasing the prevalence and severity of mental health injuries. They may also face challenges with staffing and service capacity because of absenteeism due to illness, quarantine, anxiety, concern over personal safety or safety of family members, or poorly equipped safety measures. Hence, effective prevention and management of mental health injuries require that paramedic service organizations apply harmonized and evidence-informed tools and guidelines to support their staff during a public health crisis. However, these tools and guidelines are absent, and are highly desired to support the mental health and wellness of paramedics, and ultimately to support the capacity required in maintaining the health and safety of the public they serve.

This project aims to rapidly mobilize solutions and expertise to develop a rapid guideline for the paramedic community to prevent and manage mental health injuries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The guideline will be a great tool for paramedic community to prepare for future public health crises.

Publications:

Du, B., Yung, M., Rezvani, S., Hackney, A., Yazdani, A. (2021). Addressing Operational Stress Injuries during Infectious Public Health Crises: A Guide for Paramedic Service Organizations (pdf). Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON

Du, B., Yung, M., Rezvani, S., Hackney, A., Yazdani, A. (2021). Addressing Operational Stress Injuries for Infectious Public Health Crises: A Quick Start Guide for Paramedic Service Organizations (pdf). Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP). Kitchener, ON

Du, B., Yung, M., Rezvani, S., Hackney, A., Yazdani, A. (2021). Addressing Operational Stress Injuries during Infectious Public Health Crises: Self-Reflection Tool for Paramedic Service Organizations (pdf)

Project Manager: Bronson Du, MSc

Empowering the frontline workforce to combat COVID-19: infrastructure to cultivate a community of practice

Reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian workforce and support the sustainability of Canadian businesses through cultivating a community of practice between key stakeholders.

Funding agency: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

Status: Ongoing

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant stressor for the Canadian workforce and businesses. Recent studies revealed that there are limited harmonized and evidence- informed tools, guidelines, and resources to support Canadian’s organizations in protecting the physical and mental health of their workforce during public health crises. The focus of this project is to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian workforce and support the sustainability of Canadian businesses through cultivating a community of practice between key stakeholders.

The CFI infrastructure includes an interactive communication system to collaborate and engage with a nation-wide audience of researchers, policy makers, employers, employees, unions, professional associations, and other end-users, to develop, evaluate, and disseminate research. The CFI infrastructure will enable us to foster a community of practice to conduct and transfer knowledge from several research projects spearheaded by the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, & Performance (CISWP) and Conestoga College.

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