Proposed Performance Measures and Strategies for Implementation of the Fatigue Risk Management Guidelines for Emergency Medical Services.

BACKGROUND

Performance measures are a key component of implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of evidence-based guidelines (EBGs). We developed performance measures for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) stakeholders to enable the implementation of guidelines for fatigue risk management in the EMS setting.

METHODS

Panelists associated with the Fatigue in EMS Project, which was supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), used an iterative process to develop a draft set of performance measures linked to 5 recommendations for fatigue risk management in EMS. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the Content Validity Index (CVI) to quantify agreement among panelists on the wording and content of draft measures. An anonymous web-based tool was used to solicit the panelists' perceptions of clarity and relevance of draft measures. Panelists rated the clarity and relevance separately for each draft measure on a 4-point scale. CVI scores ≥0.78 for clarity and relevance were specified a priori to signify agreement and completion of measurement development.

RESULTS

Panelists judged 5 performance measures for fatigue risk management as clear and relevant. These measures address use of fatigue and/or sleepiness survey instruments, optimal duration of shifts, access to caffeine as a fatigue countermeasure, use of napping during shift work, and the delivery of education and training on fatigue risk management for EMS personnel. Panelists complemented performance measures with suggestions for implementation by EMS agencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Performance measures for fatigue risk management in the EMS setting will facilitate the implementation and evaluation of the EBG for Fatigue in EMS.