Ind. EMT`s Death Reflects Study on EMS Fatigue

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Jan. 23—An EMT in Indiana was killed after police say the ambulance driver fell asleep and crashed into another car, according to a CBS report.

The incident comes after a University of Pittsburgh analysis highlighted how fatigue remains a widespread problem for EMS workers because many work 24-hour or longer shifts.

"It's a huge problem systemwide," said Daniel Patterson, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

According to Indiana State Police, the ambulance was transporting a 5-month-old patient to a hospital early Monday morning in Indianapolis when the driver, 26-year-old Christine Wesner, failed to stop at a red light, crashing into a car. The driver of the other car, a Dodge Dart, had the right of way, and was in an intersection at the time, police said. The crash caused the ambulance to roll over, and 32-year-old EMT Mousa Chaban, Mishawaka,Ind., was partially ejected from the back of the ambulance. He died from his injuries. The young patient and the child's mother were in the back of the ambulance, but were not hurt. Neither was Wesner.

Wesner allegedly fell asleep prior to the crash. The Miami County, Ind. Prosecutors Office to determine if charges will be filed in the case.

The driver of the Dodge was transported to a hospital with a broken collar bone. A passenger in the Dodge was transported by ambulance with a non-life threatening head injury.

Police say the crash is still under investigation. At this time they don't believe the use of alcohol or narcotics contributed to the crash.

Patterson, also a paramedic for Parkview EMS in O'Hara, was lead author of an analysis written by a team led of scientists and published last week in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care, recommends five guidelines to help reduce EMS burnout.

One of the recommendations was to limit EMS shifts to less than 24 hours in duration.

"The safety of the clinician, of the patient and the public are all at risk due to fatigue," Patterson said. "Operating the ambulance is only one aspect of EMS care. Most of the work EMS clinicians do is actually patient care."

Of the Indiana crash, he said, "Just a sad case for all involved. Devastating for the patient, their family, and the crew member's families."