Do paramedics make an effort not to transport at the end of their shifts?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if paramedics sign off more patients in the last hour of their shifts and if there is a correlation with the shifts' lengths.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of EMS run report data derived from a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system. The last 200 eight-hour, 12-hour and 16-hour shifts (600 total shifts) in which there was at least one call for service in the last hour were reviewed. Transport/sign-off data were categorized and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
There were not more patients signed off on any shift during the last hour. There was a statistically significantly smaller number of patients signed off in all phases of the eight-hour shifts.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreasing shift lengths to eight hours will significantly reduce the number of patient sign-offs and result in less potential liability.
Caulkins
C G
CG
Allina Medical Transportation, Public Safety Department, Woodbury, MN, USA.
D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States