N.C. EMS Agency Aims to Shorten Shift Times

Feb. 24—"We must devise a plan to convert EMS to 12-hour shifts from 24-hour shifts."

That statement by Donovan Davis, director of Emergency Services, was made to the Randolph County commissioners during their annual retreat Thursday. He had the figures to back it up.

"We've lost 47 paramedics since 2014 and the majority of them went to 12-hour shifts" in other counties. Others have gone into nursing or physician's assistant jobs making more money, a few have retired and some were terminated. Still others decided to get out of emergency medicine for 8-to-5 jobs.

Davis said there are more than 40 recent studies and articles that show that the fatigue associated with working 24-hour shifts causes risks to patients as well as the public at large. A tired paramedic is more likely to make medical errors or mistakes while driving.

A map of North Carolina showed that Randolph is one of 14 counties in the Piedmont and foothills still using 24-hour shifts. Another 19 emergency services departments are on 12-hour shifts while seven more are a combination or are transitioning to 12 hours. Eight of those with 24-hour shifts have 72 hours off between shifts while Randolph paramedics are only off 48 hours.

"All studies support discontinuation of 24-hour shifts," said Davis, adding that 12-hour shifts "avoid medical errors."

In addition, Davis said, there is a shortage of paramedics nationwide. Transitioning to 12-hour shifts will help Randolph County in recruiting and retaining paramedics from a smaller pool.

He asserted that the county needs to "devise a plan to add a new EMS shift and convert existing employees to 12 hours." While moving to 12-hour shifts would likely cost more in wages, Davis said the safety issues make it worth the cost. He added that the move is consistent with the county's Strategic Plan, which was adopted in 2016 and includes improvements to public safety.