Praise for ASM’s Heather Digirolamo and Cody Lemire

Posted on February 26, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Cody Lemire - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC In a letter dated February 20, 2013, a patient’s daughter wrote the following:

With this letter, I would like to express my gratitude to Heather D. and Cody L., who transported my father from Hartford Hospital to our home on February 13th. My father is very ill, and they both did everything possible to make him feel comfortable during the ride home. I am impressed with how considerate and caring they were.

Our family has had a lot of experience with medical staff and services, and Heather and Cody really stood out with their personal and professional qualities. I am so grateful for people like them who make the world a better place and wanted to make sure that I express my appreciation. They truly made a difference for my family and me that day. Thank you for much from the bottom of my heart.

– [Patient’s Daughter] #13-13896

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 1

Posted on February 22, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — As of February 2013 Marcus Communications has moved from their long time home at 275 New State Road to 33 Mitchell Drive in Manchester’s Industrial Park. This move allows the Ambulance Service of Manchester to continue to grow the main company office and headquarters (known as 10-1) into the space Marcus once occupied.

Final purposes and uses for the all of the renovated space are still being decided but current plans call for additional training space, expanded offices, a medical supply and deployment area, new restrooms and a reconfigured main entrance. Below are some ‘Before’ pictures and future posts will show the progress of the construction.

Rockville Ram Sends Thank You Card for Ride Along

Posted on February 19, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

As part of an ongoing partnership, three Rockville Rams spent February 7, 2013 “learning by doing” by riding-along with EMTs from the Ambulance Service of Manchester. They learned first-hand whether a career in medicine, or specifically a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is right for them. The following was excerpted from a thank you card:

Rockville High School Job Shadow - Ambulance Service of Manchester Dear Mike and Mike (Supervisors Sparks and Panciera):

I want to thank you so much for your time with me on my job shadow day. Sitting in the ambulance, being able to watch what you guys do, and seeing how you guys car for other people was amazing. You two are such caring and great people.

I would love to learn more and become an EMT. I think each and every EMT is great because they are the first line of defense in caring for someone’s life. I wish the best to you guys.

Thanks again,

[Student T.P.]

Mr. Rosen Goes to Washington

Posted on February 15, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Justin Rosen - Ambulance Service of Manchester ASM’s Justin Rosen Pursues Government Relations Career in Washington, D.C.

My name is Justin Rosen. I am a former Emergency Medical Technician and Field Training Officer with the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM). I recently left ASM to pursue a government relations career in Washington D.C. After four and half great years with ASM, the time was right for me to finally make the big move.

I joined the ASM team in the winter of 2008 while I was a student at the University of Connecticut. When I was first hired, I thought that working for ASM would be a part-time college job. After a few months, I realized that was not the case. ASM is a family of dedicated, intelligent, and caring people. Everyone from the CEO on down to the road crews makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. After graduating, I knew that working at ASM would always be much more than a career.

As an emergency worker, we would arrive in people’s lives during some of the worst times. Whether it was a medical emergency or a routine transfer, most people were never excited to enter an ambulance. I enjoyed these opportunities to help ease a patient’s anxiety and make a difference in their life.

After two years at ASM I was hired at the State Capitol and continued with Justin Rosen - Ambulance Service of Manchester ASM working evenings and weekends. My work with ASM was instrumental in honing my ability to help constituents and shape policy at the State Capitol. I had the unique ability to see socio-economic programs directly implemented in the greater Manchester area. From there I was able to provide prospective and advice on what worked and what didn’t.

Overall, there is no doubt in my mind that my time at ASM were some of the most positive and influential years of my life. I cannot thank the ASM team enough for the opportunity to have worked there.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Andrew Holzhauer Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on February 13, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Andrew Holzhauer (R) is congratulated by Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of February 7, 2013, Aetna’s Andrew Holzhauer has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

His preceptor was Matthew Campbell. 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, Andrew’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

After volunteering with Newington Volunteer Ambulance, Andrew obtained his paramedic certificate from Capital Community College. Andrew says, “I thoroughly enjoy being a paramedic and look forward to working with the other medics and EMTs at Aetna Ambulance. I have only heard great things about Aetna and am excited to be working here.”

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Andrew the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

ASM Responds: Winter Storm Charlotte

Posted on February 11, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

The Hartford Courant

By JESSE LEAVENWORTH, leavenworth@courant.com

MANCHESTER — Read the whole article here…Private ambulance providers had similar difficulties. Prevented from close access to many homes, medics had to carry patients, in some cases for 100 yards or more, through thigh-deep snow, Dave Skoczulek, spokesman for Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance Service, said Monday.

Ambulances mired on roadsides and stuck in deep snow banks had to be pulled out with a four-wheel drive paramedic intercept vehicle. Total calls were less than normal, Skoczulek said, “but each call was typically more severe and took much, much more effort and much longer to complete.”

Ambulance Service of Manchester Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance At the height of the storm, a patient with chest pains had to be taken from Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. A physician arranged for a plow to escort the ambulance, and there were many other stories of plows paving the way for emergency medical personnel, Skoczulek said.

Another crew in a heavy ambulance equipped with tire chains could not make it over impassable roads with a critical care patient aboard, Skoczulek said. The crew got help from Manchester police and residents, who came over with shovels and snowblowers, he said. Eventually, a backhoe from Ansaldi Construction winched the ambulance back onto a cleared road surface, Skoczulek said.

Aetna Responds: Winter Storm Charlotte

Posted on February 11, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Blizzard Charlotte Hartford Fire Department Aetna Ambulance

HARTFORD — An engine company from Hartford Fire Department and an Aetna Ambulance crew treat a seizure patient during Winter Storm (Blizzard) Charlotte. In order to reach the ambulance, the patient had to be carried from the house, down the block and to a main street.

Blizzard Warnings in Effect for the Entire State

Posted on February 8, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

POTENTIALLY HISTORIC WINTER STORM TO IMPACT STATE TODAY AND SATURDAY

Blizzard Warnings are now in effect for the entire state until 1:00 PM Saturday Afternoon. Blizzard Warnings are issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile for at least three hours which is expected tonight.

This Morning: Light snow developing across the state between 7:00 – 9:00 AM becoming moderate and steady by noon. Temperatures holding in the upper 20’s in Northern CT and near 30 F along the coast.

This Afternoon: Snow in Northern CT with a mix in Southern CT becoming heavy at times between 1:00 – 3:00 PM with temperatures holding in the upper 20’s in Northern CT and near 30 F at the coast.

This Evening and Overnight: Blizzard conditions with any mixed precipitation changing to all snow by 7:00 PM. Snowfall rates up to 5” per hour with zero visibilities at times and blowing and drifting snow. Lows dropping into the low 20’s statewide with Northeast Winds gusting to 40 MPH inland and up to 60 MPH along the coast. Moderate power outages and moderate coastal flooding expected with high tide just before midnight in Western Long Island Sound.

Saturday Morning: Heavy snow tapering to moderate snow from West to East between 7:00 – 10:00 AM. Strong North Winds gusting to 40 MPH Inland and 50 MPH at the Coast. Zero visibilities at times with Blizzard Conditions until 10:00 AM.

Saturday Afternoon: Moderate snow tapering off to light snow and ending by 3:00 PM. Continued blowing and drifting of snow with Northwest winds gusting to 40 MPH at times and ground blizzard conditions at times.

Total snowfall may be historic with 12 – 24” in Western CT, 20 – 36” in Central and Eastern CT and 15 – 30” along the coast. Isolated amounts to 40” may occur.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update at 10:00 AM.

This product is a public service of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and is intended for informational purposes only. DESPP assumes no liability for the use or distribution of this product or any actions resulting from this product.

Rockville High School Students Shadow EMS Providers at ASM

Posted on February 7, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Rockville High School Job Shadow - Ambulance Service of Manchester MANCHESTER — Students from Rockville High School (RHS) spent the day “learning by doing” by riding-along with EMTs from the Ambulance Service of Manchester.

As part of an ongoing partnership, three Rockville Rams learned first-hand whether a career in medicine, or specifically a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is right for them. They were assigned to an EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic level Rockville High School Job Shadow - Ambulance Service of Manchester ambulance a five hour job shadow experience. During that time they toured the facility, were shown the ambulance and equipment and went on real 911 calls and inter-facility transports. Through this they witnessed the day-to-day activities of an EMT in commercial EMS.

EMS careers draw interest from young people who want and feel they need variation in their day-to-day. Often they do not know what they ultimately want to do but they are usually quite sure they do not want to work in a Rockville High School Job Shadow - Ambulance Service of Manchester static environment such as a cubicle. Often those who are looking for a career in medicine shadow in EMS to see the leading edge of the emergency care system.

One student was back for her second year and among another student’s goals for the day was to deliver a baby. Check back to see what happens!

Winter Storm Update: DESPP Alert

Posted on February 7, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

2013

MAJOR WINTER STORM STILL EXPECTED FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BLIZZARD WATCHES ISSUED FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN CONNECTICUT

With 24 hours to go before the start of this storm, the forecast confidence is fair to good at this time. Any changes in the storm track will significantly change snowfall amounts.

Towns are advised to review their local Emergency Operations Plans.

The National Weather Service has issued Blizzard Watches for Central and Eastern Connecticut. Winter Storm Watches are in effect for Litchfield and Fairfield Counties.

The latest computer models continue to forecast that a Major Winter Storm will impact our area Friday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday morning. The latest track forecast for this storm is predicting that a low pressure system will form south of the Del Mar Va Peninsula Friday afternoon and then rapidly intensity as the storm moves Northeast Friday night to a position southeast of Nantucket by 7:00 AM Saturday morning. Light snow is forecast to start Friday around daybreak remaining light for several hours. The snow may mix with rain at times from late morning into the mid afternoon in Southern CT. The snow is then forecast to become heavy by late afternoon with a change to all snow along the coast. Heavy snow is expected overnight on Friday, into Saturday morning, ending early afternoon on Saturday. Total snowfall is expected to range from 10 – 20” in Southern CT up to 16 – 26” in Northern CT.

Strong Northeast winds are also expected with sustained winds of 20 – 30 MPH Friday night gusting to 55 MPH inland and 70 MPH at times along the coast. These strong winds may bring down trees and power lines resulting in a moderate number of power outages. Some coastal flooding is expected during the time of high tide Friday night just before midnight with minor flooding possible.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update at 3:00 PM this afternoon.

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 5 – Update

Posted on February 4, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

An update was received to the story found here in the form of an email directly from the patient:

“You and you partners responded to a 911 call at my house. I was having a massive heart attack. I only remember being carried down the stairs. Thanks to you and your partners, I’m here at home about to have my 33 year [anniversary] with my wife to celebrate. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The original story:

According to Aetna Ambulance Service Supervisor Paramedic Joyce Valentukonis:

Assigned to Aetna 201, Alpha/Monitor 6,
The 12-lead was transmitted with success and then a radio patch notifying of a STEMI alert was given.
Just prior to arriving the patient went into cardiac arrest.
The patient was resuscitated upon arrival of parking lot (eyes open and talking). In the hallway, patient went into cardiac arrest again.
As of today: patient is extubated and talking.

Aetna Paramedic receives Kudos from the Cath Lab Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): EMS-to-balloon time: 61 minutes.

The patient’s spouse returned a Patient Satisfaction Survey with perfect scores and a note that says, “Thank you for saving my husband’s life.”

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Monthly Archives: February 2013