Introduction: Exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many physical and psychological effects on front-line healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the exposure risk to COVID-19 disease and burnout in prehospital emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: In this correlational study, 335 prehospital EMTs were selected by random sampling method from the 49 stations of emergency medical services in the northwest of Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the world health organization for the risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers to COVID-19. Moreover, Pines burnout measure was used for the assessment of participants’ burnout. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: Results showed that 30.7 % of prehospital EMTs had a high burnout score against COVID-19 disease. The prehospital EMTs who had a high occupational exposure risk experienced a high risk of burnout (P=0.03). The results of the linear regression analysis showed that prehospital EMTs who had a low exposure risk of COVID-19 had a low burnout score (β=-9.30; P<0.001), and those who had less than 10 years of work experience showed less burnout (β=-10.54; P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, the exposure risk to COVID-19 increases the prehospital EMT’s burnout. As a result, reducing the exposure risk to COVID-19 by providing adequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE), development of training and following standards and protocols can be effective in controlling burnout in HCWs.

Aims. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease, and a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been recommended as preventive measures for prehospital emergency personnel, which has led to considerable challenges and a great confusion for the personnel. This review aims to identify different types of PPE required in the care of COVID-19 patients in prehospital emergency system. Material and methods. This study was carried out by searching through databases including: Pubmed, Proqust, Google Scholar, and Cinahl. All articles that recommended different types of PPE against COVID-19 and infectious diseases for prehospital emergency personnel were collected in a table. Results. After carrying out the initial search in the databases, 1,009 studies were obtained and then 16 articles were selected. The findings seem to suggest using equipment including: gloves, face shields (shield/goggles), protective clothes (medical jumpsuit/scrubs), surgical masks, N-95 masks, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), hair covers, shoe covers and washing up the hands by the emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. Discussion. The scrutiny of the relevant studies showed that each of them advised the EMS personnel to use a number of PPE. The present study highlighted the fact that there are other components of the PPE which can be useful to them. Conclusion. This study identified the most appropriate PPE needed for prehospital emergency personnel against COVID-19, and it is believed that planning for adequate access to this equipment and training on how to use them can significantly help to reduce the infection among the personnel.

Background Many people in the community become infected with the coronavirus and seek help from the pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system. This study aimed to identify the pre-hospital medical intervention delivered to the COVID-19 patients by EMS personnel. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 335 EMS personnel were selected by random sampling method from the 49 pre-hospital emergency stations of east and west Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing the demographic characteristics and pre-hospital medical intervention delivered to COVID-19 patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Results The results showed that 68.9% of the missions for COVID-19 patients were emergency situation, and for these patients invasive interventions; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (60.9%), intubation (53.1%) and suction (38.8%) were performed. Administration of oxygen, intravenous (IV) line, patients transport to emergency department, serum therapy and recommendation for home care were the most common pre-hospital medical interventions. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the pre-hospital medical intervention with personnel’s educational degree, field of study, and history of the COVID-19 disease (P < 0.001). Conclusions The results showed that EMS personnel, in addition to close contact with COVID-19 patients, perform various advanced interventions for them. Therefore, planning to train these personnel, developing standards, following protocols and adequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic and therapeutic equipment can be useful in improving the quality of patient care, handling of the patients and personnel safety in recent and future pandemics.