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Video: Evidence-based strategies for sleep health during pandemic

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine offers research-driven strategies for better sleep after working extended shifts

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By Laura French

PITTSBURGH — Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine have published a video offering evidence-based strategies for better sleep health, aimed at helping first responders get more adequate sleep while working extra or extended shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the video, Paramedic Daniel Patterson, Ph.D., associate professor of emergency healthcare worker safety and principal researcher on fatigue mitigation guidelines at the University of Pittsburg, outlines methods for managing fatigue, including banking sleep between shifts, napping and using caffeine strategically.

Patterson notes that 50% of EMS personnel report getting less than six hours of sleep per night and says the COVID-19 crisis is likely to cause more first responders to suffer inadequate sleep.

See the full video below:

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