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: 

Great job everyone – really good communication. This patient was transported from Summers, CT by ASM and was admitted with a STEMI/Cardiogenic Shock (needed hemodynamic stabilization in the ED).

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (Summers) where the pre hosp ECG was transmitted by ASM to the HH ED and then forwarded to the Cath Lab. Many should be congratulated, in particular:

1. Drs McKay and Azemi and the CathLab team (B. Arcisz, T. Schrimer, A. Almeida)
2. Drs Kleinberg, Dutton-Swain and the ED team (A. DeMallo, D.Cimiano, A. Mugovero)
3. last but not least, the ASM Paramedic – Robert O’Neil for timely ECG interpretation and transmission.

CRITICAL TIMES

• Paramedic on Scene: 10:29
• Arrival at HH: 11:01
• Open Artery Time: 11:53AM

• Hartford Hospital Door to Balloon: 52 minutes
• EMS to Balloon: 84 minutes

Infarct-related artery: Proximal RCA 100%
-> PCI 1X BMS – >TIMI 3 Flow Restored

Note: This post conforms with ASM and Aetna’s HIPAA Policies and Procedures regarding patient confidentiality. No individually identifiable protected health information (PHI) has been disclosed. This post is for informational purposes only. Any post that includes individually identifiable information has been done so with express, written permission from the patient.

(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…

One lane of travel was open around 2:30 p.m. The accident happened at the entrance to the JC Penney Logistics Center between Buckland Street and Chapel Road.

—Jesse Leavenworth

Note: This post conforms with ASM and Aetna’s HIPAA Policies and Procedures regarding patient confidentiality. No individually identifiable protected health information (PHI) has been disclosed. This post is for informational purposes only. Any post that includes individually identifiable information has been done so with express, written permission from the patient.

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 cold IV fluids to the point of induced hypothermia.

So how do we stack up?

Aetna and ASM began using a commercial, purpose-made device long before the regional protocol called for cold IV fluids. Our companies use what is known as a Chillcore, as pictured with this post.

One indication for chilled IV fluids is a return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. Although this situation does not arise regularly, cold fluids can make all the difference between surviving to the emergency department and actually walking out of the hospital.

Additionally, the expectation is that cold IV fluids will be considered in more clinical circumstances in the future, possibly to include stroke.

More information on the equipment we operate is available by clicking here…

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). 

Many of our girls were afraid of an ambulance and now that they have been shown one, their fears are minimized. We have you to thank. You we’re amazing!

- Jasmine Rivera-McNeill, Kindergarten Daisy Troop 10888 Leader

]]> http://asm-aetna.com/blog/2012/05/09/beth-sheils-and-rory-leslie-present-to-the-girls-scout-daisy-troop-of-east-hartford/feed/ 0 http://asm-aetna.com/blog/2012/05/08/asms-alpha-five-volume-3-prom-promise-in-somers/ http://asm-aetna.com/blog/2012/05/08/asms-alpha-five-volume-3-prom-promise-in-somers/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 15:08:19 +0000 asm-aetna http://asm-aetna.com/blog/?p=2077 Continue reading →]]>

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 on April 27th for Somers High School. Don, Greg and Ayla were super and they added quite a bit of realism to our program. I know that this time of year you guys are very busy and we appreciate you making time for our organization’s event. It is always a pleasure putting this event on because a very positive message is being sent out; thanks to you the message is even more powerful. Again, thank you for your assistance and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

-Lieutenant, Somers Fire Department

The Ambulance Service of Manchester’s (ASM) Alpha Five has been stationed at Johnson Memorial Medical Center for over eight years.

This transport-capable paramedic unit was initially stationed there at the request of JMMC in order to secure immediate transport of a certain population of critical patients.

Several ASM faces have become ubiquitous features on the medic unit staff, known as the “Johnson Medic” to the surrounding towns. Folks like Don Hart, Ray, Al Pardi, Dave White, Greg D., Shawn Davis and Alya Sarles became staples of the service.

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.

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 gear and quickly assessed the problem and made suggestions to stabilize me. The knowledge they had to correct my health was very reassuring.

I want to inform them of what a wonderful job they did. Their personalities along with their expertise left us all feeling a job was well done.

ASM's Mike Panciera

Thank you,

Patient [#12-27136]

Note: This post conforms with ASM and Aetna’s HIPAA Policies and Procedures regarding patient confidentiality. No individually identifiable protected health information (PHI) has been disclosed. This post is for informational purposes only. Any post that includes individually identifiable information has been done so with express, written permission from the patient.

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.

(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 $140,000 and donations are still coming in.   Over 26 million people have chronic kidney disease and another 1 in 3 adults are at risk.  This is a staggering statistic! For more information about the walk or to make a donation, log onto www.kidneywalk.org and select Connecticut or Massachusetts.”

According to their website, the National Kidney Foundation, a major voluntary nonprofit health organization, is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. The vision of the National Kidney Foundation is to enhance the lives of everyone with, at risk of or affected by kidney disease. Learn more by visiting their site here…

The staff that you had at the event were absolutely amazing!  I appreciate everything greatly!

Mary Kate Carofano
Division Development Director

Read more about our Community Relations endeavors here…

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 stage-3 colon cancer. John underwent abdominal surgery on Monday, March 12th to remove a cancerous tumor that was described as “bigger than a baseball.”

John is going to be prescribed chemotherapy for six months in order to treat his cancer, causing him not only to be out of his full time job at the firehouse but also his part time job on the ambulance.

A benefit is being formed to help John in this time of need, not only to help him raise some money but also to show him that we are all behind him.

Contact: Michael DeBell at (860) 883-9024 or Bob O’Neil at (860) 965-4427 to purchase tickets or with questions.