Editing Paramedic (section)

=== Physical injuries ===
Paramedics are widely recognized to face high risks of physical injuries in their line of work. More than 22,000 EMS providers visit [[Emergency department|the emergency room]] each year for work-related injuries.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-29 |title=Emergency Medical Services Workers {{!}} NIOSH {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ems/default.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us}}</ref>  Some physical injuries encountered when providing healthcare services include [[Casualty lifting|lifting]] injuries, [[back strain]]s, and [[Needlestick injury|needlestick]] incidences. Injuries such as [[sprain]]s and [[Strain (biology)|strains]] mostly occur in the back and neck, and injuries are most prevalent while responding to [[911 (emergency telephone number)|911]] calls, which include patient care and transport.<ref name=":03"/> These injuries are prevalent but not impossible to overcome; they require preventive measures to minimize the chance of them happening. Safe [[Patient lifting|lifting]] techniques and patient-handling equipment are major factors in reducing paramedics’ physical injury risk.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fratta |first1=Kyle A. |last2=Levy |first2=Matthew J. |last3=Brothers |first3=James M. |last4=Baer |first4=Gamaliel D. |last5=Scharf |first5=Becca |last6=Fratta |first6=Kyle A. |last7=Levy |first7=Matthew J. |last8=Brothers |first8=James M. |last9=Baer |first9=Gamaliel D. |last10=Scharf |first10=Becca |date=2020-09-12 |title=Occupational Injury Claims Related to Patient Lifting and Moving in a Safety-Oriented Emergency Medical Services Agency |journal=Cureus |language=en |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=e10404 |doi=10.7759/cureus.10404 |doi-access=free |issn=2168-8184 |pmc=7550220 |pmid=33062522}}</ref> Workers with less than 10 years’ experience are most at risk, pointing to the need for targeted prevention strategies for newer employees.<ref name=":03"/> By employing the proposed measures to reduce physical injuries, it will be possible to mitigate the hazards faced by paramedics, to help paramedics stay safe while rendering the most needed services.<ref name="US-safety-pract"/> 
[[File:Paramedic wearing PPE mask, eye protection, and gown in Ireland 2020.jpg|thumb|A paramedic wearing PPE]]