DID YOU KNOW…

DID YOU KNOW???? March 3-9 is National Sleep Awareness Week

"I was not able to sleep"

We were dispatched to a 45 year old male that was complaining of difficulty breathing. We arrived to find the patient sitting in his living room. The stench of cigarette smoke, old food, and cat dander was strong. We arrived at the patient's house at about 3 a.m. This was our exchange.

"What is wrong?" I asked.

"I can't sleep," he replied.

"Are you having trouble breathing?"

"Yes."

"How long have you had trouble breathing."

"I have had a cough for about 3 months," he replied between several deep raspy coughs.

"What changed that made you decide to call us now?"

"I have not been able to sleep because of the pain."

"Tell me about the pain?"

"It is like I am being stabbing."

"Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"I don't know."

My dream of a few hours of uninterrupted sleep was quickly disappearing. I was responding as a paid-on-call volunteer. This was our second call since midnight and my day job started in four hours. Our patient could not sleep because of his cough. I could not sleep because of my choice to be an EMS volunteer.

According to a recent CDC report, the percentage of adults that report less than six hours of sleep has increased in all age groups in the last 20 years. More than 30% of the men in my cohort, 30-44 year olds, report less than 6 hours of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep in each 24 hour period.

Do you get enough sleep? There are many reasons for sleep deprivation including acute illness, chronic medical problems, and employment. According to the CDC, "Insufficient sleep has been linked to impaired school and work performance and to the development of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression." 

For EMS providers the consequences of sleep deprivation can be high. Fatigue can lead to inattentive driving, poor patient assessment, and improper treatment and medication administration. I notice in myself that I have less tolerance and patience when I am sleep deprived or when my sleep is interrupted. How does sleep deprivation affect you, your co-workers, your friends and family, and your patients?

March 3-9 is National Sleep Awareness Week. Click here to learn more about the importance of sleep from the National Sleep Foundation. Remember adequate sleep is an important component of personal wellness. Be intentional about eating well, regularly exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting enough sleep.

“reprinted with the permission of www.rapidce.com and www.eps411.com."

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