Editing Paramedic (section)

=== Infectious diseases ===
The risk of contracting [[infectious diseases]] is common in the paramedic profession. The [[COVID-19]] pandemic strengthens the necessity of following safety protocols.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Verbeek |first1=Jos H |last2=Rajamaki |first2=Blair |last3=Ijaz |first3=Sharea |last4=Sauni |first4=Riitta |last5=Toomey |first5=Elaine |last6=Blackwood |first6=Bronagh |last7=Tikka |first7=Christina |last8=Ruotsalainen |first8=Jani H |last9=Kilinc Balci |first9=F Selcen |date=2020-04-15 |editor-last=Cochrane Work Group |title=Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=CD011621 |language=en |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD011621.pub4 |pmc=7158881 |pmid=32293717}}</ref> Preventive measures for healthcare workers from needlestick injuries and [[infectious disease]] is critical. Including, the immediate [[Sharps waste|disposal of sharps]] in puncture-resistant containers and wearing appropriate [[Personal protective equipment|personal protective equipment (PPE)]] and strict adherence to post-exposure protocols, enhances safety. Additionally, staying updated with [[vaccination]]s, including those for [[Influenza|flu]], [[COVID-19]], [[Hepatitis B]]. Furthermore, adhering to infection control practices, such as [[hand hygiene]], environmental cleaning, and specialized control programs, are vital for preventing infections like [[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus|MRSA]], [[Tuberculosis management|TB]], and [[COVID-19]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Hoell |first1=Andreas |last2=Kourmpeli |first2=Eirini |last3=Dressing |first3=Harald |date=2023 |title=Work-related posttraumatic stress disorder in paramedics in comparison to data from the general population of working age. A systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Frontiers in Public Health |volume=11 |doi=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151248 |doi-access=free |issn=2296-2565 |pmc=10035789 |pmid=36969652}}</ref> [[Personal protective equipment|Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)]] usage in implementation and vaccination compliance are effective transmission reduction measures for [[Infectious diseases (medical specialty)|infectious diseases]] among paramedics. Exposures to blood pathogens and body fluids through incidents, for example, [[Needlestick injury|needlestick injuries]] which jeopardizes paramedics at risk of infectious diseases such as [[Hepatitis B]], and [[Hepatitis C]], and [[HIV]] affecting around 6,000 EMS workers.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Alzahrani |first1=Adnan |last2=Keyworth |first2=Chris |last3=Wilson |first3=Caitlin |last4=Johnson |first4=Judith |date=2023-05-05 |title=Causes of stress and poor wellbeing among paramedic students in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom: a cross-cultural qualitative study |journal=BMC Health Services Research |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=444 |doi=10.1186/s12913-023-09374-y |doi-access=free |issn=1472-6963 |pmc=10163716 |pmid=37147658}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Charlier |first1=Bruno |last2=Coglianese |first2=Albino |last3=De Rosa |first3=Federica |last4=De Caro |first4=Francesco |last5=Piazza |first5=Ornella |last6=Motta |first6=Oriana |last7=Borrelli |first7=Anna |last8=Capunzo |first8=Mario |last9=Filippelli |first9=Amelia |last10=Izzo |first10=Viviana |date=2021-01-14 |title=Chemical Risk in Hospital Settings: Overview on Monitoring Strategies and International Regulatory Aspects |journal=Journal of Public Health Research |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=jphr.2021.1993 |doi=10.4081/jphr.2021.1993 |issn=2279-9036 |pmc=8018262 |pmid=33849259}}</ref><ref name=":03"/> This realization strengthens the need for science-based methods in preventing the occupational risks posed by infectious diseases with a foregrounding of the role of preventative measures geared towards protecting the health of paramedic professionals and, at the same time, the community.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Tamminga |first1=Sietske J |last2=Emal |first2=Lima M |last3=Boschman |first3=Julitta S |last4=Levasseur |first4=Alice |last5=Thota |first5=Anilkrishna |last6=Ruotsalainen |first6=Jani H |last7=Schelvis |first7=Roosmarijn MC |last8=Nieuwenhuijsen |first8=Karen |last9=van der Molen |first9=Henk F |date=2023-05-12 |editor-last=Cochrane Work Group |title=Individual-level interventions for reducing occupational stress in healthcare workers |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |language=en |volume=2023 |issue=5 |pages=CD002892 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD002892.pub6 |pmc=10175042 |pmid=37169364}}</ref>