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‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive: 2012 Weekend #1
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Category Archives: Company Philosophy and Thought Leadership
‘Emergency Of Hunger’ Food Drive Restocks Pantries At Critical Time
By MICHAEL WALSH, Special to The Hartford Courant MANCHESTER ——
The fourth annual Emergency of Hunger Food Drive, a community staple in the Manchester area since its 2009 debut, serves much more than helping the town prepare for the holiday season.
While more than 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys are donated each year to the food drive, which is organized locally by the Ambulance Service of Manchester, those who see hunger first-hand say the food drive allows food pantries to remain stocked in the slower winter months. Continue reading
Who Sets the Rates and Charges for the Ambulance Service?
HARTFORD — A recent patient satisfaction survey received by Aetna Ambulance Service was full of praise for the crew and care received, but the patient had a question about the cost of services: Who sets the rates the ambulance service charges for transport or paramedic services?
Aetna and ASM are licensed Connecticut ambulance services. As such, our companies are regulated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). The rates for each individual service category are issued to us by DPH and we do not have the discretion to set our own rates or billing categories or make any changes. The bills that are issued to patients for services rendered are produced with these set rates and cannot be higher. Continue reading
Aetna Director of Operations Graham MacDonald Retires
Graham MacDonald, Director of Operations, Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.
As I prepare to leave Aetna Ambulance Service I look back at the many wonderful people that I have had the pleasure to know and to work with. Aetna has always been known as a “family” and I have seen and experienced this first hand. It was an honor for me to have known both Jean and Ethel Grady. This family truly loved their community and always stood ready to help anyone in need.
Aetna Ambulance has excelled over the years and today it is known as one of the best ambulance companies in the state. It is widely respected by the hospitals and facilities that we serve. It has become the sought after place to work for EMT’s and Paramedics coming out of school. Our reputation is based not only upon the dedication and excellence in patient care but the family atmosphere that lives on today.
My time here has been a great experience and I have enjoyed coming to work every day. I will miss the many people that I have worked with both here and the Ambulance Service of Manchester. I am proud to say that it has been an honor for me to be a part of this organization.
Sincerely,
Graham MacDonald, Director of Operations
Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.
ASM and MFRE: Fire Prevention Week Open House
MANCHESTER — From a card received October 24, 2012:
On behalf of the Fire Department and myself, I would like to thank you and the EMS crews who participated with us during our open house. As a long standing partner and critical component of our EMS [system], it was only appropriate for ASM to be there!
The EMS crews were polite, courteous and professional. They took the time to answer questions, give tours of the ambulance and displayed much of their medical equipment.
Again, I would like to express our gratitude and thanks!
Regards,
FF Jay Gonzalez
Manchester Fire Rescue EMS (MFRE)
Heavy Lifting For Ambulance Crews
Obesity Epidemic Is Changing Emergency Medical Transport
By JESSE LEAVENWORTH, leavenworth@courant.com The Hartford Courant
October 20, 2012
Emergency medical technicians have long shared a Murphy’s Law kind of reckoning about obese patients: for every additional floor in a building, the patient will weigh 100 more pounds.
It’s dark humor among men and women with an often grim, strenuous job, but obesity rates are rising throughout the state and nation, and a recently released report says the ranks of the morbidly obese will continue to balloon.
The task of transporting patients who weigh at least 100 pounds more than they should is now a daily reality in Connecticut and throughout the nation. The job strains ambulance crews, causing widespread back injuries, and piles financial burdens on both volunteer companies and professional providers.
“We’ve always had to deal with big people,” said Glenn Luedtke,safety committee chairman of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, “but nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see someone who’s 300 pounds into the 400-pound range.” Continue reading
Words That Describe Us: Volume 3
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”
Some of the answers/responses included:
- “Very capable and understanding considering my complete confusion and surprise as to my incident. Everything was as good and efficient and capable as anyone could hope for or expect.”
- “Fantastic. Could not ask for any better service. It was perfect.”
- “Excellent service. I was very pleased with the ambulance service my husband received. I have no complaints.”
- “Very helpful and reassuring to my personal needs.”
- Great x 2
- Excellent x 2
- Very professional
- Good
- Super
- Competent
- Outstanding
- Supportive
- The best!
- Fabulous
- Conscientious.
Chuck Roode at Goddard School’s EMS Awareness Day
Note: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Glastonbury. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
GLASTONBURY — Aetna Ambulance Supervisor Chuck Roode gave tours of an ambulance and spoke to about 50 students of Goddard School in Glastonbury. Chuck went over how and when to call 911 and introduced the kids to PBS’s Caillou, dressed as an EMT. Caillou “helped” Chuck show what a check of a blood pressure entails, what oxygen masks look like, what a stethoscope is and how important it is to wear seat belts.
Stryker Power Stretcher System Deployed on Bariatric Ambulances
The safest bariatric ambulance loading system in use today.
HARTFORD and MANCHESTER, Connecticut — On October 1, 2012, Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester installed and deployed Stryker Power-LOAD stretcher lift systems in each of the company’s two bariatric ambulances.
Capable of lifting a maximum patient weight of 700 pounds, it is the company’s firm belief that the Stryker Power LOAD is the safest overall bariatric ambulance equipment for a number of reasons:
- Power-LOAD is the best product for protecting the dignity of the patient. There are no industrial winches or uneven, ten foot track systems. There is no large rear deployment area that has the patient sitting out exposed to the elements.
- Power-LOAD is the best system for protecting the well-being of the ambulance crew. Patient and stretcher lifting is done entirely by the powered system and not by the backs of the crew. The system reduces stretcher drops and makes the best use of its low center of gravity.
- Power-LOAD is the best method for healthcare facilities as it is not large and unwieldy. It is easy to maneuver and fits into any space where a standard stretcher would fit.
Equipping our bariatric units with the Power-LOAD stretcher lift system is part of Aetna and ASM’s long-term commitment to the safety of our patients and employees.
Vinnie Maston Lectures at the CREC Public Safety Academy
Vinnie Maston at CREC Public Safety Academy
ENFIELD — On two dates this fall ASM’s Vinnie Maston will be presenting different concepts in Emergency Medical Services to the students of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC)’s Public Safety Academy (PSA) in Enfield.
According to their website, “the PSA provides a systems-based approach curriculum to teach students the skills they will need to be community leaders and servants. This approach teaches students from diverse backgrounds to appreciate their similarities and differences while preparing them for the best colleges and success in their chosen public safety and service careers in the various communities they will serve.”
Vinnie tailored his lecture to the topic of each class throughout the day, including science, math and history.
ASM at CCC Farmer’s Association Emergency Medical Response Day
MANCHESTER — On September 20, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester sent a crew to represent ASM at the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association Farmer’s Market on Oakland Street in Manchester.
CCC designated it Emergency Medical Response Day and invited customers to climb in and take a tour of our ambulance. ASM is committed to demonstrating our long-term commitment to the communities we serve. This commitment includes supporting organizations and events that contribute to the health of the public.
The Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association is owned by farmer members and operates the only farmer owned and operated feed mill in Connecticut. Their farm stand provides an outlet for farmers to sell their product and allows customers to purchase Connecticut grown and manufactured products.
Wishes on Wheels: ASM Convoys for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Johnny Loukides and Family with ASM’s Stephanie Boutot
HARTFORD — On Sunday, September 17th, the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in the 13th annual “Wishes on Wheels” Truck Convoy to benefit the Make-a-Wish Connecticut Foundation. Last year’s event raised $50,000.
Stephanie Boutot drove ASM’s entry, a Mercedes Sprinter, as part of her fourth year in the event. Johnny Loukides and his family chose the ambulance as their ride for the convoy.
Names and pictures appear with express permission of the individuals shown. Read a Hartford Courant article about the event here…
ASM Ambulance Among the Other Wishes On Wheels Trucks
Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team
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- ASM’s Steeve Parent
MANCHESTER– On September 14, 2012, two EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth ASM and Aetna 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.
Steeve Parent: Full time EMT. Steeve, 25, is from Ashford and has been an EMT for just over one year. He attended EO Smith High School and the University of Connecticut. He previously worked for a commercial ambulance service in Norwich, CT and as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT at Ashford Fire Department. Steeve enjoys sports, movies and whitewater kayaking as hobbies.
ASM On Hand at Lutz Children’s Museum – Farm Day 2012
ASM’s Rory Leslie at Lutz Farm Day
BOLTON — On September 1, 2012 a paramedic crew from the Ambulance Service of Manchester was on hand at Fish Family Farm for the Lutz Children’s Museum’s Farm Day 2012. The event, which drew over 3,000 people, included animals, live music, hay rides, bounce houses, farmer’s market, games and farm fresh ice cream.
ASM performed a medical standby alongside Bolton Fire Department partners. The standby served a dual purpose as the children were able to take tours of the ambulance and fire apparatus. The ambulance crew was Heather Carl and Rory Leslie and they took pictures from the event.
Click to see more photos… Continue reading
Manchester’s School Nurses Hold CPR and Annual Training at ASM
MANCHESTER — On August 31, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted the School Nursing team from Manchester Public Schools for their annual in-service and CPR training.
As Manchester is a HeartSafe Community, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) now have a prominent place within the school system. Participants received an update in the use of the AED as part of the Healthcare Provider CPR training. They also received a refresher on the management of the choking victim.
The remainder of the in-service included medication administration, disease awareness, review of protocols, epinephrine administration, and other topics and was conducted by MPS staff.