Salivary cortisol concentration and heart rate variability during 91 priority-1 alarms in a Swedish ambulance staff

47^th Global Nursing & Healthcare Conference

March 01-03, 2018 | London, UK

Kare Karlsson, Patrik Niemela, Anders Jonsson and Carl Johan Tornhage

Skaraborg Hospital, Sweden
University of Boras, Sweden
Swedish Armed Forces, Vastra Frolunda, Sweden
Sahlgrenska Academy - University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: According to previous research, ambulance personnel often experience themselves as healthy, but at the same time several studies show that they suffer from a number of stress-related illnesses, take early retirement and even suffer early death. Aim: The aim of this study has been to examine mental stress during priority-1 alarms. Methodology: During 91 priority-1 alarms heart rate and salivary cortisol concentrations were measured. During priority-1 alarms salivary cortisol was collected on two occasions, at alarm and after end of alarm. Heart rate was measured every 15 seconds. Fourteen men and 6 women (16 ambulance nurses and 4 paramedics) participated. A questionnaire with background data was collected. Results: Elevated heart rate was associated with priority-1 alarms. When comparing individual alarms and different participants, there are clear differences in heart rate and cortisol response. There was no tolerance development for heart rate response. Alarms concerning traffic accidents, fast track and children seemed to generate the highest stress response. There was no significant difference in stress regarding personnel�¢����s age, gender, level of education or point in time for alarms. Conclusions: Predefined fast track schedules and traffic accidents appear to generate stress among staff. Since no correlation could be seen between heart rate and salivary cortisol concentration they cannot replace each other as indicators of stress.

Biography :

Kåre Karlsson completed his MSc in 2009 from Borås University, and has worked in the ambulance service in Skaraborg hospital, Sweden for 33 years. He is a specialist nurse in the prehospital field. He is also a PhD student at half-time at Jönköping University. He has published 2 papers in reputed journals.
Patrik Niemelä completed his MSc in 2009 from Borås University, and has worked in the ambulance service in Skaraborg hospital, Sweden for 11 years. He is a specialist nurse in the prehospital field. He has published 2 papers in reputed journals.
Carl-Johan Törnhage, Pediatrician, Senior Consultant at Department of Pediatrics, Skaraborg´s Hospital, Skövde, and Associate Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. Affiliated to Centrum for Children and Adolescents´ Mental Health, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden. Research in stress, endocrinology, and mental health.