Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 4

Posted on May 18, 2012 by asm-aetna

ASM Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak 15 cardiac-monitors

MANCHESTER — On May 17, 2012, ASM Paramedic Supervisor Robert O’Neil wirelessly transmitted a 12-lead EKG to Hartford Hospital in order to precipitate a field activation of the cardiac catheterization lab.

The transmission, which flows through a purpose-specific modem stored externally on the LifePak 15 cardiac monitor, draws the attention of the ED physician, interventionalist and cardiologist and most often results in the patient being conveyed from the field directly into the care of the cardiac staff in the cath lab.

This particular patient was in cardiogenic shock as partially manifested by bradycardia.

The following is excerpted from an email from Dr. Marcin Dada, Associate Director of the Chest Pain Center, Hartford Hospital: Continue reading →

ASM Responds: Car Crash in Manchester

Posted on May 16, 2012 by asm-aetna

: (Photo Courtesy of Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD COURANT

MANCHESTER— Three people were taken away by ambulance after an accident on Tolland Turnpike Wednesday afternoon.

The injuries were non-life threatening, police said. Two vehicles had heavy front-end damage. Police traffic Sgt. Hank Minor said speeding and inattentive driving caused the accident. A driver of a third car involved in the accident would be cited, Minor said. Read the full Courant article here… Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 3

Posted on May 12, 2012 by asm-aetna

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here…

So how do Aetna and ASM match up against The Ultimate Lifesaver?

Volume 3: Induced hypothermia

Studies have shown a significant improvement in neurological outcomes for victims of cardiac arrest who receive Continue reading →

Beth Sheils and Rory Leslie Present to the Girls Scout Daisy Troop of East Hartford

Posted on May 9, 2012 by asm-aetna

Sheils and Leslie Daisy Troop Presentation EAST HARTFORD — On April 6, 2012, Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) Paramedic Supervisor Beth Sheils and Paramedic Rory Leslie presented the basics of Emergency Medical Services to the Girls Scout Daisy Troop of East Hartford.

The presentation took place at the East Hartford Cultural Center where the girls (and one boy!) saw the ins and outs of the ambulance and learned about first aid, when to use 911 and growing up to be a Paramedic. More pictures below. (All pictures appear with written parent permission). Continue reading →

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 2: Prom Promise in Somers

Posted on May 8, 2012 by asm-aetna

Somers Fire Department and ASM Alpha 5

SOMERS — On April 27, 2012 ASM’s Alpha Five participated in Somers High School Prom Promise Mock Crash. The following letter from Somers Fire Department was received on May 7th.

I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to thank you for your service’s help with our Prom Promise Mock Crash Continue reading →

Aetna’s David Noyes Visits Southington Nursery School

Posted on May 7, 2012 by asm-aetna

Note: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to Plantsville or the Town of Southington. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

Photo courtesy of Planstville Community Nursery School

SOUTHINGTON — Aetna’s David Noyes was featured under the heading People in the Community of the Southington Citizen – Record Journal.

The accompanying article reads: Children in the morning class at Plantsville Community Nursery School, 109 Church St., Plantsville had a visit from an Emergency Medical Technician, David Noyes, during “people in the community month”. Noyes gave children a tour of the ambulance and told them about what he does to help people who are sick or hurt.

A Thank You Letter for a Cancelled Call?

Posted on May 6, 2012 by asm-aetna

MANCHESTER — On April 3, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester received the following letter in regards to a 911 call that ended in a refusal of transport and care.

On Sunday April 1, 2012, I had a medical problem that led my wife to call 911. Within a very short time up rolls your ambulance with Mike Panciera and Jeff Rasmussen.

They jumped in Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Ashley Harkins Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 4, 2012 by asm-aetna

Aetna's Ashley Harkins and Hartford Hospital's Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of April 26, 2012, Aetna’s Ashley Harkins has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Ashley’s preceptor was Paramedic Preston Ryzak. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Ashley’s final approval came from the Hartford Hospital EMS/Trauma Coordinator who shadowed Ashley and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we welcome our newest Paramedic, Ashley Harkins and would like to wish her the best of luck. We are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

ASM Supports the National Kidney Foundation Walk

Posted on May 2, 2012 by asm-aetna

ASM at the National Kidney Foundation Walk

(L to R): ASM's Kyle Botteron, Kenny the Kidney and ASM's Ray Stovall

MANCHESTER — On April 29, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) provided standby EMS support to the National Kidney Foundation for their annual Foundation Walk.

According to NFK’s Linda Zuboff, “over 800 walkers and volunteers attend the 2012 Connecticut and Western MA Kidney Walk on Sunday, April 29 at the majestic Wickham Park in Manchester. The event, to date, has raised close to Continue reading →

Benefit for Aetna’s John Cafazzo and Family

Posted on April 30, 2012 by asm-aetna

: Aetna’s John Cafazzo

Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT, 6:00 pm-close.

Tickets are $25 and includes a buffet dinner, cash bar and raffle.

John Cafazzo of Hartford Fire Department Ladder Company 3 and EMT Basic for Aetna Ambulance in Hartford was diagnosed with Continue reading →

Meet the Newest Members of the Aetna Team

Posted on April 27, 2012 by asm-aetna

HARTFORD — On April 26, 2012 three EMTs and two Paramedics were added to the Aetna team. As part of our continued growth Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

: Aetna’s Gordon Reed

: Aetna’s Emory Meyerjack

: Aetna’s Alex Adams

: Aetna’s Steve Jachym

: Aetna Ambulance’s Newest Employees

Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 3

Posted on April 24, 2012 by asm-aetna

Kudos from the Cath Lab

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

Great job everyone.

I though you would like to know that today’s STEMI times were as follows:

Door to Balloon Time – 36 minutes

EMS to Balloon time – 69 minutes

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (town withheld) where the pre-hospital ECG was transmitted by AETNA Ambulance to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and then forwarded to the Cath Lab (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory). Many should be congratulated, in particular:

Drs. McKay and Almahasnen and the Cath Lab team (A. Almeida, R. Fisher, E. Letoutneau)
Drs. Smally, Sullivan and the ED team (C. Urso, A. Mugovero)
Last but not least, the AETNA Paramedics Ashley Harkins and Preston Ryzak for timely ECG interpretation and transmission. Continue reading →

Aetna Promotes Terry Perry to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 20, 2012 by asm-aetna

Aetna's Terry Perry

HARTFORD — On April 11, 2012 Aetna Ambulance Service promoted Terry Perry from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs.

Terry was hired by the Grady family to work for Aetna in September 2006 as an Emergency Medical Technician. He has worked in the EMS field for 16 years including in the Emergency Department at Hartford Hospital, and truly enjoys what he does. He subsequently worked for the hospital in the Continuing/EMS Education Department. Continue reading →

ASM Promotes Three to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 13, 2012 by asm-aetna

MANCHESTER — On April 10, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) promoted three from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: Stephanie Boutot, Tyler LaRue and Ray Stovall. FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs.

ASM's Stephanie Boutot

Stephanie Boutot: I am a proud mom of five kids: Andrew, Dylan, Joey, Jeremy, and Zoey. I have been married 20 years to my husband and friend Nelson and was a stay-at-home mom before joining the ASM team almost four years ago (August 15, 2008 and I bring cake or cupcakes every anniversary!) I originally became an EMT to volunteer on my local fire department and found out it could be a paid job. I feel like it was a secret, I wish I had Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Matt Carter Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on April 7, 2012 by asm-aetna

: (L to R): Aetna’s Robert Velletri and Matt Carter, Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of March 28, 2012, Aetna’s Matt Carter has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

His preceptor was Paramedic Robert Velletri. The full precepting phase can Continue reading →

ASM-AETNA Blog

Dedicated to providing consistent, timely and clinically excellent service to our patients, clients and communities.