I think one of the greatest things about being a paramedic at the Ambulance Service of Manchester is having access to some of the highest quality equipment, paired with advanced level high fidelity training. For example, we are one of the only services in the State of Connecticut whom supplies a multimode ventilator with BiPAP capabilities on every single paramedic level ambulance and fly-car. These advanced ventilators allow us not only to provide high-quality advanced critical care interfacility transports but also allow us to provide ICU level care in the field to our high acuity emergent patients in any of the communities in which we serve.
Please see below or click here for the full article by Hartford Courant Report Jesse Leavenworth.
Sean Norton, an Ambulance Service of Manchester operations
supervisor, talks to visitors during ASM’s 60th anniversary celebration
Tuesday. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
From a single “hearse-style” wagon and a crew of three in 1959,
Ambulance Service of Manchester has grown to 190 employees and 30 ambulances
serving the area from East Hartford to Stafford Springs.
On Tuesday, police officers and firefighters who work with the mobile medical crews joined other visitors at ASM’s cavernous headquarters on New State Road to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians stood by to describe
ambulance and equipment displays. ASM has updated its fleet with new Mercedes
vans, replacing box-style ambulances. Four of the new vehicles are longer and
sturdier, equipped to lift and transport patients who weigh up to 750 pounds.
ASM also recently acquired two “stair chairs,” which allow crews to more easily
carry patients up and down stairs. Along with heavier patients, ASM crews also
have been dealing with an increase in drug overdoses and mentally ill patients,
officials said.
Paramedic Chris Myska demonstrates a medication injection in ASM’s
training room. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM and Aetna Ambulance Service are sister companies headed by
president and CEO Kim Aroh. Asked about the companies’ biggest challenges
today, Aroh cited operating costs, such as the recent $300,000 expense to equip
all ambulances with digital radios. The companies strive for modest growth each
year, she said, but reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid have been
flat for a decade.
Besides maintaining equipment and keeping up with changes in
life-saving technology, another priority, Aroh said, is to encourage workers’
participation in fun events such as a polar plunge fundraiser _ which benefits
the community and the employees. Ambulance crews, she noted, regularly have to
handle traumatic scenes.
“They see so many tough things,” Aroh said.
Visitors and ASM employees at the celebration inside the company’s
headquarters on New State Road. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM started as Manchester Ambulance with three men _ J. Stewart
Johnston, Thomas Carpenter and Roger Talbot Sr. _ who were based at a local
auto dealership, according to its website _ www.ambulanceservicemanchester.com. The
outfit moved to a three-bay garage at 134 Center St. in 1969 and its territory
expanded to include East Hartford and Bolton.
Today, company spokesman Patrick Gleason said, ASM and Aetna serve
about 1.2 million people.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Grady Report, the Aetna employee newsletter. Released quarterly, The Grady Report will feature numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies (periodically), health and wellness tips, and more. Additionally, each issue will contain an Employee Spotlight article, recognizing an EMT or Paramedic that has demonstrated a commitment to patients and co-workers alike via positive attitude, work ethic, and overall inspiring demeanor.
HARTFORD- On April 10th, 2017 The Uniformed Professional Fire Firefighters Association of Connecticut hosted an event at Hartford FD’s Training Academy. “Fire Ops 101 Day” provides elected officials and other civilians the opportunity to experience the physical and mental challenges that first responders face on a daily basis.
Representative from Aetna Ambulance, several local fire departments, and other agencies acted as handlers walking representatives through real life scenarios.
Please note below Aetna Ambulance Field Supervisors Bob Mara and Matt Campbell assisting participants with the care of a simulated trauma patient.
MANCHESTER- On March 7th, 2017, The Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance received 50 Stryker Power Pro XT Model 6506 Stretchers to be placed into service in the near future.
“This industry- leading ambulance cot utilizes an innovative battery-powered hydraulic system to raise and lower the cot at the touch of a button.”
In addition to the numerous advances that come stock with these units, ASM and Aetna will be adding steering-locks as an after-market upgrade that will increase ease of use and maneuverability. The implementation of these new stretchers will help ensure the comfort and safety for both crews and patients alike. Installation for the ASM vehicles should be completed by the end of next week. Aetna should expect to see them in service in early April.
MANCHESTER — Recently, Aetna and ASM took delivery of seven Mercedes Sprinter Ambulances from American Emergency Vehicles (AEV). In an effort to keep up with the latest advancements in patient and provider safety, each new ambulance has arrived equipped with Stryker Performance-Load Cot Fastener Systems. In addition to securing the stretcher during transport, these devices offer guided loading and unloading, to increase both efficiency and safety.
MANCHESTER — Updated versions of the Aetna and ASM websites are now live and can be viewed by clicking on the logo of each company at http://www.asm-aetna.com/.
Available on the sites are forms, information on services, ride along and field internship, access to the company blog, contact information and more.
The sites were built by Image Works web design in Vernon, CT.
ROCKY HILL — During early February 2016, Aetna Paramedic Ryan Gonska and his partner Logan Royale responded to a medical call in Rocky Hill. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Ryan wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Saint Francis Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#16-8644).
Rapid identification, treatment, and early notification (STEMI ALERT) is vital in the care of patients with cardiac emergencies such as ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. We hope the attached information is useful in the design and monitoring of your treatment strategies. — Saint Francis Hospital staff
SFH Cath Lab Patient Follow-Up Form
Treatment by EMS and Direct to SFH ED
EMS Agency: Aetna Ambulance
Indication: STEMI
First Medical Contact (FMC) (at pt side) 16:13 elapse: 00:00
EMS 12 Lead Acquisition Time: 16:17 elapse: 00:04
EMS STEMI Alert Request Time (source: cmed): 16:37 elapse: 00:20
EMS 12 Lead Transmit Rec’d Time (source: Lifenet): 16:19 elapse: 00:02
Comments: Patient went MD office due to prolonged chest pain and shortness of breath; APRN performed EKG and administered Aspirin; No first medical contact time, so EMS times utilized- EMS dispatched 16:05 on scene 16:10. Transport 16:31. EMS performed 12-lead; STEMI Center activation at 16:37. Cath lab notified prior to arrival of patient. Patient required emergent coronary artery bypass graft instead of stents.
STAFFORD SPRINGS — During January 2016, ASM Paramedic David White and his partner Ray Philbrick responded to a medical call in Stafford with Stafford Ambulance. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Dave wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Saint Francis Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#16-0017.
“Here is the full feedback report. Great job!!” – John Quinlavin, Manager, Emergency Medical Service, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
SFH Cath Lab Patient Follow-Up Form Treatment by EMS and Direct to SFH ED
EMS Agency: Ambulance Service of Manchester & Stafford Ambulance
Indication: STEMI
First Medical Contact (FMC) (at pt side) Date/Time: 1/1/2016 01:00 elapse: 00:00
EMS 12 Lead Acquisition Time: 01:02 elapse: 00:02
EMS STEMI Alert Request Time (source: cmed): 01:19 elapse: 00:17
EMS 12 Lead Transmit Rec’d Time (source: Lifenet): 01:19 elapse: 00:17
Arrival Time (SFHED): 01:41 elapse: 00:22
Cath Lab Arrival Time (SFH): 02:03 elapse: 00:22
Procedure Start Time: 02:20 elapse: 00:17
First Device Time: 02:46 elapse: 00:26
————————————————————————————————————–
SFHED Door to First Device: 65 min
FMC to First Device: 106 min
Vessel Angiography Findings / Treatment: 100% SVG-RCA lesion open not stented.
Comments: Onset chest pain 00:00. Once patient on EMS stretcher Asystole, went to start CPR, patient responsive prior to any compressions. This occurred again during transport. STEMI team paged prior to arrival at 0122.
INTERACT stands for Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers. It is a quality improvement program designed to improve the early identification, assessment, documentation, and communication about changes in the status of residents in skilled nursing facilities.
The goal of INTERACT is to improve care and reduce the frequency of potentially avoidable transfers to the acute hospital. Such transfers can result in numerous complications of hospitalization, and billions of dollars in unnecessary health care expenditures. It includes clinical and educational tools and strategies for use in every day practice in long-term care facilities.
Here is the link to the INTERACT Training for Emergency Services:
Then select “INTERACT Training for Emergency Services”
The training is about 12 minutes in length and covers the new acute care transfer process between a participating nursing home and hospital.
Not all nursing homes are part of this initiative so EMS will find that some homes will still be using the W-10 and other documents during their acute care transfers
The nursing homes that are using the red envelope as part of their new acute care transfer process will seal the red envelope and have a set of transfer documents for the EMS service so they will not have to open the envelope
The rollout date to begin using the new acute care transfer process and the red envelope is August 31, 2015.
The entire red envelope should be handed to the ED staff either at triage or in the ED room as the patient is being transferred from the stretcher to the bed
The red envelope is to be used only for acute care transfers between participating nursing homes and hospital – they should not be used for other types of transfers
There will not be a W-10 as part of the transfer documents – the front page of the INTERACT transfer form along with the residents’ face sheet meet the Department of Health Public Health Code requirements
GLASTONBURY — During July 2015, ASM Paramedic Joshua Traber and his partner Supervisor Michael Sparks responded to a medical call in Glastonbury with Glastonbury Ambulance. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Josh wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Saint Francis Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#15-53809).
SFH Cath Lab Patient Follow-Up Form Treatment by EMS and Direct to SFH ED
EMS Agency: Ambulance Service of Manchester & Glastonbury Vol Ambulance
Indication: STEMI
First Medical Contact (FMC) (at pt side) 14:09 elapse: 00:00
EMS 12 Lead Acquisition Time: 14:17 elapse: 00:08
EMS STEMI Alert Request Time (source: cmed): 14:38 elapse: 00:21
EMS 12 Lead Transmit Rec’d Time (source: Lifenet): 14:37 elapse: 00:20
Arrival Time (SFHED): 14:46 elapse: 00:09
Cath Lab Arrival Time (SFH): 15:37 elapse: 00:51
Procedure Start Time: 15:46 elapse: 00:09
First Device Time: 16:07 elapse: 00:21
————————————————————————————————————–
SFHED Door to First Device: 81 min
FMC to First Device: 118 min
Vessel Angiography Findings / Treatment:100% LAD and 80% RCA lesions; LAD open and stented. IABP required. NOTE: delay to PCI due to CTSCAN to r/o aortic aneurysm-family history.
STAFFORD — During June 2015, ASM Paramedics Jonathan Lentini, and Greg Derosier responded to a medical call in Stafford with Stafford Ambulance. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Jon wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Hartford Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#15-46694). The following are comments provided by Hartford Hospital’s Dr. Marcin Dada with some acronyms and patient information removed:
Today’s STEMI: Stafford to Hartford Hospital TOTAL Ischemia time 73 min !!!
Congratulations everyone!!!
This patient was brought from Stafford to HH by ASM and Stafford Ambulance (pre hospital ECG was sent and communicated to the ED attending: Drs. Dufel/Price and Cath Lab was activated).
Highlight: We utilized the quick registration where the EMS team was met at the triage and the patient was brought straight to the Cath Lab.
In a nut shell:
1) HH D2B Time = 30 min
2) Total Ischemia Time = 73 min (goal <90 min [1st Medical Contact in the field to Open Artery Time in the Cath Lab]
3) 100% mid-RCA –> 2 DES (TIMI III Flow)
In particular, we would like to recognize the following teams:
1) HH Cath Team – Dr Hirst; D. Jordan, T Schrimer
2) HH ER Team – Drs Dufel, Price and Tilden, and the rest of the clinical team (I am sure we missed many as this was a quick triage)
3) EMS team : G. Derosier and J. Lentini and the Stafford crew.
HARTFORD — During March 2015, ASM Paramedic Adam Fine and his partner David Tedeschi responded to a medical call in Coventry with Coventry Volunteer Fire Association (CVFA) ambulance. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Adam wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Saint Francis Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#15-17116)
ASM’s Adam Fine
“First Medical Contact to device under 90 minutes!!!”
– John Quinlavin, EMS Manager, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
SFH Cath Lab Patient Follow-Up Form
100% left posterior descending artery ballooned.
Re-clotted, managed medically.
EMS Agency: ASM (Coventry)
Indication: STEMI
First Medical Contact (FMC) (at pt side) Date/Time: 16:31
EMS 12 Lead Acquisition Time: 16:34 elapse: 00:03
EMS 12 Lead Transmit Rec’d Time (source: Lifenet): 16:42 elapse: 00:08
HARTFORD — During March 2015, ASM Paramedic Ted Oliver and his partner David Rice responded to a medical call in Somers with Somers Fire Department ambulance. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Ted wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Saint Francis Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#15-21457)
“Another great job by our ASM partners and this time with Somers Fire. The bar has been raised now with measuring the time from first medical contact to device in the Cath Lab and this requires a strong team effort to meet the new benchmark. Rapid identification and notification are critical elements to success.”
– John Quinlavin, EMS Manager, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
SFH Cath Lab Patient Follow-Up Form
100% occlusion of the posterior left anterior descending artery.
90% occlusion of the ramus artery (a division of the left main coronary artery)
100% occlusion of the first through third obtuse marginal arteries
MANCHESTER — On September 26, 2014 the first 2014 Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance arrived at Aetna’s fleet maintenance area at ASM from American Emergency Vehicles in North Carolina.
According to Car and Driver magazine, “The Sprinter’s most visible change is its front-end styling, which adopts Mercedes’ smaller, Renault-based, Euro-only Citan van’s flashier look. The grille is more upright than before, and gets Benz’s latest take on its signature three-slat design. A new pair of headlights flanks the grille, and features the same eyebrow-like (LED!) turn indicators that have proliferated throughout the Mercedes lineup. A fresh hood accommodates the new fascia and headlights, and it sits higher than before. Inside, there are new seat covers and upholstery, the steering wheel is thicker, and higher-spec models even get chrome air vent surrounds.”
The most distinctive change thus far for the 2014 ambulance model is the new style light bar.
As of April 2014, all Ford ambulances (except for the bariatric units) had been rotated out of service and replaced with Mercedes (or Dodge-marked Mercedes) Sprinter ambulances. The unmarked 2014 ambulance will soon be sent out to receive the high-visibility Battenburg markings, rear chevrons and company logos. Operating fuel-efficient, safe and modern Sprinter ambulances is part of Aetna and ASM’s continued commitment to the communities we serve.
