Words That Describe Us: Volume 24

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Professional, competent, respectful.
  • Prompt.
  • Excellent service and care.
  • Professional x 15.
  • Good.
  • Excellent. Thank you for your assistance.
  • Considerate and caring.
  • Thanks.
  • Mr. Pacheco was excellent!
  • Competent and caring.
  • Good job.
  • Caring and compassionate.
  • Very professional.
  • Fantastic and professional
  • Very good.
  • Excellent x 7.
  • Excellent care and concern.
  • Awesome.
  • Efficient. Offer alternative to ER; perhaps an urgent care center.
  • Caring.
  • Professional, knowledgeable and caring. All the [EMS Providers] I have dealt with have been very helpful and eased my anxiety. Great job! (14-20949; T. Luetjen, J. Traber).
  • Fantastic!!
  • Good care.
  • Professional and kind.
  • Very friendly.
  • Very professional x 4.

#CarolynStrong Bracelets Now Available

CarolynStrongMANCHESTER — Show your support for Carolyn Edwards and her recovery.

#CarolynStrong bracelets are now available for a minimum donation of $3.00.

Please see the following ASM employees to purchase one, or three or five or a few dozen:

Stacy Debarge
Lauren Mazzoni
Ryan McConville
Heather Carl
Tim Allbee
Jocelyn Heim (MMH ER)
Genny Geres

Click on the following site for more information on how to donate to support her recovery, buy t-shirts, get updates and otherwise show your support: www.carolynstrong.org.

Aetna’s David Noyes Visits Southington Boy Scout Pack 72

DJ Noyes SouthingtonNote: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Southington. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

SOUTHINGTON — On April 21, 2014 Aetna’s David (DJ) Noyes visited Boy Scout Pack 72 out of Southington, CT. According to DJ, “we practiced dressing small wounds, looked at all the different equipment and toured the ambulance. We also learned what to expect if an ambulance shows up to their house or at a car accident.”

Supporting Carolyn Edwards in Her Recovery

360_carolyn_1MANCHESTER — On May 6, 2014 ASM EMT Carolyn Edwards was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Carolyn is a much loved and cherished member of the ASM team and support for her recovery has been overwhelming, touching and flowing from all directions.

In order to respect Carolyn and her family’s privacy during her recovery and to provide a source of information and support, members of the ASM family and Carolyn’s friends have constructed www.carolynstrong.org.

According to the site, “As a collaboration of friends and co-workers of Carolyn Edwards, we will combine and coordinate efforts for the common cause of benefiting Carolyn and her family in their time of need. We will support their emotional, physical, and financial needs to assist in restoring Carolyn in her optimal health. #Carolynstrong”

To further respect Carolyn’s privacy, the ASM-Aetna blog will not be chronicling her recovery but will continue to provide updates on ways to support her and her family including fundraisers and more.

High Praise for Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and ASM Team

MFRE ASMMANCHESTER — On March 30, 2014 a crew from ASM responded with Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS (MFRE)’s Truck 2 to a complaint of difficulty breathing. The patient responded to ASM’s satisfaction survey and had glowing things to say about the entire team: MFRE Truck 2’s Mike, Tim (paramedic), Jim and Angelo and ASM’s Bobbi Basque and Lauren Mathiau.

The patient answered “Strongly Agree” to all 16 clinical-based satisfaction questions. When asked to use a word to describe the team, the patient wrote “Professional.” The patient was brought directly to the Cardiac Catherization lab at Hartford Hospital.

The patient then hand wrote the following comments: “Thanks to Manchester Fire Rescue and the ASM people…they saved my life. As soon as [EMS] came in they made the decision to get me in the ambulance and moving to the hospital and had the hospital ready. Doctor said ten more minutes and I would not be here. They kept me alive, took me to the right place, in time and the Hospital took it from there. What can I say? Thank you to the people that provided the service and especially [the EMS team]. Time was short and they made the right decision and knew what they were doing. Again, thank you for saving my life.”

-#14-26976

Aetna at Hartford Hospital’s ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work’ Day

HARTFORD — On April 24, 2014 an Aetna Ambulance crew was on hand at Hartford Hospital to participate in their annual Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day. Aetna’s Paul Ferri and Collin Whalen gave tours of the ambulance, showed EMS gear and supplies and spoke about the daily life of an EMS Provider.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 23

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Caring and professional.
  • Amazing.
  • Excellent, caring, compassionate, professional. (14-9832; M. Hoyt, J. Bonneau).
  • Prompt and professional.
  • No improvement needed.
  • Excellent.
  • Compassionate, kept me smiling and comfortable. All the folks in the ambulance made me feel comfortable and at ease. They were highly professional and just all around nice people. (14-15936; A. Harkins, J. Benson).
  • Good.
  • Helpful.
  • Super – Keep up the good work.
  • Caring and considerate.
  • My EMT Matt was very professional. I would like to thank him for remembering to take my wedding rings off before my hand swelled so that they did not have cut them off. His attention to details was excellent (14-16315; M. Campbell, S. McDuell).
  • Thank you. Good job.
  • Friendly and caring
  • Caring x 2.
  • Professional, empathetic, caring.
  • Kind.
  • Perfect!!!
  • Professional! All I can say is that I am very grateful for their service. They listened to me and knew what I needed after I told them my problem (14-8036; A. Hedburg, C. Rockoff).

Words That Describe Us: Volume 22

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • The very best. If it were not for them my son would be in serious condition. (14-3972; R. Leslie, R. McConville).
  • Experienced and accommodating.
  • Very good!!!
  • I felt safe! The gentleman was very nice and reassuring. Thank you! (14-8438; S. Crittenden).
  • Terrific.
  • Very good care.
  • Excellent x 3.
  • Superb! The EMTs/Paramedics were so very good with me and my children. They listened to me and eased the very tense and frightening situation. (13-111854; J. Traber, B. Langan).
  • Caring, kind and professional. Recently losing my husband after 30 years I was alone and scared. Your people made me feel very safe and relaxed (14-11807; N. Toro).
  • Professional and efficient.
  • Excellent service.
  • I felt like I was very well taken care of.
  • Caring, concerned, very professional.
  • Professional, EMT was very nice.
  • Compassionate x 2.
  • Wonderful. Very professional.
  • Excellent service.
  • Extremely efficient and cordial.
  • There when you need help.
  • Very kind, compassionate and understanding. (14-2647; S. Allen, B. Langan).
  • Super.
  • Very competent.

Thank You Letter Invokes Aetna Founder Jean Grady

Aetna Wallpaper 2Please forgive the lateness of this note, but understandably, I have been dealing with a lot on my plate. My sister passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on January 31st. Luckily, I was with her and was able to call for an ambulance. Aetna Ambulance responded as well as the Hartford Fire Department. I can not praise your company enough. Everyone was so professional, yet caring. I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience. They recognized this and acted accordingly.

I had a personal connection to the Jean Grady, the previous owner of Aetna, so everything came full circle. I was also born and raised in Hartford and was never prouder of my hometown on that day. My son-in-law just started his own ambulance company in South Carolina. When I recounted my experience, he was so proud to be a paramedic and company owner.

Thank you to all that you do and a special thanks to the men that responded to Franklin Avenue on that day.

Sincerely,

Sister of Patient — #14-9217

Letter appears with permission.

Campbell and Mathiau 2Crew: Matthew Campbell and Kevin Mathiau (again)

 

Meet the Newest Members of the Aetna Team: Aetna Hires Three

 

 

HARTFORD — On March 27, 2014, one EMT, one AEMT and one Paramedic 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.

Jason Chasse:   FULL TIME, AEMT. My name is Jason Chasse. I am 22 years old and am from Burlington, CT. I have been an EMT since 2009 and an AEMT since 2011. I began my career in EMS as a volunteer for the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department in 2008. Before my employment at Aetna Ambulance I worked as a per-diem AEMT at ambulance services in Waterbury and Bristol. I graduated in the fall of 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven and plan on perusing a career as a police officer. In my free time I enjoy spending my time outdoors with my friends and my German Shepherd named Indie. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and shooting and am also an avid Jets fan.  I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Aetna Ambulance team. 

Adam Ordway: FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Adam Ordway, recently I graduated from paramedic school through Goodwin college. I am from Middletown and very excited to take the next step in my EMS career. I’m very happy to be working for Aetna Ambulance. Hopefully I can to live up to the great reputation Aetna has throughout the state and learn from some of the best. Previously, I worked for another commercial ambulance service in the central part of the state for about two and a half years. Currently, I am in the National Guard and served two deployments to Afghanistan as an Infantryman. I also worked as an emergency vehicle technician for a few years after graduating from high school.  I’m looking forward to working with everyone. 

Collin Whalen: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Collin Whalen and I am 21 years old from Rocky Hill. I am a firefighter with the Rocky Hill Fire Department and a Volunteer with Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance. I started with Rocky Hill Fire Department at 14 years old as a cadet. In the summer of 2012 I took my EMT and joined Rocky Hill Ambulance. Public Service has run in my family for many generations as firefighters, EMT’s, Paramedics and police officers. I am glad to continue the tradition along with my brother Scott, who is a firefighter and who has also recently graduated from Army boot camp. I am looking forward to taking my paramedic in the future, after gaining valuable experience as an EMT. I am very excited to be apart of the Aetna team.

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 7: David White

Dave White AJohnson Medic Dave White describes his career path.
I grew up in the small town of Sterling and graduated Plainfield High School in 1998.   I joined the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1997, went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and went to Fort Eustis VA for ten months of aircraft avionics school.  I spent the next five years going to drills and traveling throughout the country for training.  I left the Guard six months before my unit was sent to Iraq. 

When I returned home in 1998 I joined Sterling Fire Department and went to Fire Fighter-I school and Medical Response Technician training.  I felt a greater connection to EMS.  I joined two of the local EMS departments; K-B Ambulance and Moosup-Plainfield Ambulance in 1999.  I took an MRT to EMT-B bridge class and became Moosup-Plainfield Ambulance’s training officer shortly after I became an EMT-B.    I remained active in both departments for the next three years until I moved out of the area. I was hired at ASM in March of 2002 and worked as an EMT-B and Dispatcher for the next two years. I started Paramedic school and returned to working only the road while I attended Hartford Hospital’s paramedic program.  For the next 16 months I worked hard and finished first in my class.

In 2005 I became a paramedic and started precepting with Bob O’Neil as my primary preceptor and with Don Hart.  After I was cleared and on my own as a paramedic I was lucky to be one of the first full time Paramedics to work out of ASM’s Johnson Memorial Medical Center office.  Continue reading

Praise Again for Aetna’s Matt Campbell and Kevin Mathiau

Campbell and Mathiau 2HARTFORD — On February 15, 2014 Aetna Ambulance crew members Matt Campbell and Kevin Mathiau responded to a motor vehicle accident in Wethersfield. Within two weeks the patient was randomly selected to receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey. The patient sent back a response on the care she and her family received.

Matt and Kevin received “Strongly Agree” in every response category. When asked to use a word or phrase to describe us, the patient wrote “Timely, professional, informative and caring.”

The following was handwritten in the additional feedback space provided:

“We truly appreciated the kindness that was shown to us and to our children by the EMTs and Paramedics. We were in a side rollover with our two small children and the EMTs and Paramedics helped make a very scary situation very positive. Keep up the excellent work. Everyone was very personable and we felt as if we were being cared for by good friends or family members.”

– Run #14-13714 (Information appears with permission).

Words That Describe Us: Volume 21

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Good x 4.
  • Professional and prompt.
  • Sympathetic and professional.
  • Good team!
  • Very good x 2.
  • Caring and considerate.
  • Excellent service. The ambulance arrived shortly after being called and I felt relief right away. The attendants were very professional and informed me about all the procedures. I felt very secure in their hands. Thank you very much. (14-4436; T. Allbee, J. Lentini).
  • Polite, helpful, competent, friendly. (14-3308; E. Sheils, M. Khan).
  • Professional. Thank you. I really needed your services.
  • Excellent service.
  • Very professional.
  • Beyond my expectations!! Excellent.
  • Great x 2.
  • Great care.
  • Caring professionals.
  • A1, efficient.
  • Great job
  • Very professional and kind.
  • Very professional and caring.
  • Competent.
  • Helpful, knowledgeable.
  • Professional x 8.
  • Great that you’re around.
  • Very capable and concerned. Very soothing and kept me calm (14-6515; M. Carter, T. Webster).
  • Professional, kind, caring, non-judgmental (13-105889; R. Davenport, M. Guertin).

ASM Visits South Windsor’s CREC International Magnet School

SOUTH WINDSOR — On March 6, 2014 ASM AEMT/FTO Stephanie Boutot and AEMT Brian Langan visited CREC‘s International Magnet School for Global Citizenship in South Windsor as part of public safety day. Stephanie and Brian gave an age-appropriate talk to the kindergarten students about what EMTs and Paramedics do and when to call 911. They passed out ASM coloring books and gave a tour of the ambulance.

Photos with permission.