Category Archives: Approaches to Technology

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 4

Posted on by
Reply
ASM and Aetna were early adopters of Intraosseous (IO) infusers

ASM and Aetna were early adopters of Intraosseous (IO) infusers

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here…

So how do Aetna and ASM match up against The Ultimate Lifesaver?

Volume 4: Intraosseous Infusers

Resembling a light-weight hobbyist drill, Continue reading →

Aetna and ASM Paramedics to Use Cutting-Edge Video Laryngoscopes

Posted on by
Reply

HARTFORD and MANCHESTER — By the end of July 2012 Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) will put into service a cutting edge, life-saving medical device known as a video laryngoscope made by a company called King Vision.

The use of the King Vision Video Laryngoscopes is part of Aetna and ASM’s long-term commitment to providing cutting edge emergency medical care and our vision of putting gold standard clinical resources and equipment at the fingertips of our skilled EMS providers.

Continue reading →

CPR and AED Awareness Week: Heartsaver CPR Training

Posted on by
2

MANCHESTER — Come join us and our partners on Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. at the Mahoney Recreation Center, 110 Cedar Street, Manchester, CT. for Heartsaver CPR training course.

ASM Ambulance Heartsafe Community CPR AEDLearn CPR for adults and children, the proper use of an Automated External Difibrillator (AED), and choking management on adults and children.

  • Seats are limited so register now!
  • Call the Manchester Health Department at (860) 647-3173.
  • $10.00 registration fee payable at the door ~ cash or check only.
  • Heartsaver Student Workbook available at Mary Cheney and Whiton Libraries.

Sponsored by the Manchester Health Department, Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS, Manchester Fire Department (Eighth Utilities District) – CPR Program, the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) and ProActive Safety. Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 4

Posted on by
Reply

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:  Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 3

Posted on by
Reply

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

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 Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 3

Posted on by
Reply
Kudos from the Cath Lab

Kudos from the Cath Lab

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

Great job everyone.

I though you would like to know that today’s STEMI times were as follows:

Door to Balloon Time – 36 minutes

EMS to Balloon time – 69 minutes

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (town withheld) where the pre-hospital ECG was transmitted by AETNA Ambulance to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and then forwarded to the Cath Lab (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory). Many should be congratulated, in particular:

  1. Drs. McKay and Almahasnen and the Cath Lab team (A. Almeida, R. Fisher, E. Letoutneau)
  2. Drs. Smally, Sullivan and the ED team (C. Urso, A. Mugovero)
  3. Last but not least, the AETNA Paramedics Ashley Harkins and Preston Ryzak for timely ECG interpretation and transmission. Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 2

Posted on by
1
ASM Aetna Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

ASM Aetna were early adopters of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices.

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here…

So how do Aetna and ASM match up against The Ultimate Lifesaver?

Volume 2: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Devices

CPAP is an amazingly effective device that Continue reading →

ASM’s Vinnie Maston Presents to Mended Hearts’ Greater Hartford Chapter

Posted on by
Reply
ASM's Vinnie Maston presents to Mended Hearts

ASM's Vinnie Maston presents to Mended Hearts

HARTFORD — On March 21st, ASM Paramedic Supervisor Vinnie Maston presented to the Greater Hartford Chapter of “Mended Hearts”. The chapter requested an speaker from the EMS community to present examples of the cutting edge technology presently in use in the field.

According to their website, Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that has been “offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers.” Continue reading →

Assisting the ALS Provider Class: Open to Outside Agencies

Posted on by
Reply

Assisting with ALS CareHave you ever wondered, “Where is the Paramedic headed with this line of treatment?” or “Is there more I can do to help the Paramedic render rapid and effective care?”  Well here is your answer Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 1

Posted on by
Reply
ASM and Aetna Ambulance Paramedics Operate LifePak 15s

ASM and Aetna Ambulance Paramedics Operate LifePak 15s

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here…

So how do Aetna and ASM match up against The Ultimate Lifesaver?

Volume 1: Cardiac Monitors Continue reading →

City of Hartford a HEARTSafe Community – Aetna Ambulance Part of the Team

Posted on by
Reply

HeartSafe Community City of Hartford Aetna Ambulance

Mayor Pedro Segarra Speaks about Hartford's Designation as a HEARTSafe Community

HARTFORD — In a letter from the Central Area Health Education Center, Inc, (Central AHEC): We would like to thank you all for your collaborations, support, and efforts in helping make the City of Hartford a “HEARTSafe Community”.

With collaboration from Central AHEC and Hartford Hospital’s EMS Education Department, the City of Hartford was officially designated by the Department of Public Health as a “HEARTSafe Community” on Thursday February 23rd, 2012. Continue reading →

Aetna and ASM Adopt Full Battenburg Visibility Design

Posted on by
5
ASM Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

ASM Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

MANCHESTER — In an effort to further our use of cutting edge research in vehicle visibility design, ASM and Aetna have elected to adopt “full Battenburg” design on our newly added Mercedes Sprinter ambulances.

Aetna Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

Aetna Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

Since purchasing the first Dodge Sprinters from American Emergency Vehicles in 2009 we have utilized a custom-made smaller-block “Sillitoe marking” design with 4 x 4 inch retro-reflective blocks (as seen in the picture on our mast-head above).

Research has shown that larger blocks are even more effective in signaling their presense to the naked eye while the vehicle is in motion. Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 1

Posted on by
Reply
ASM Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak 15 cardiac-monitors
ASM and Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak-15 cardiac monitors

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

STRONG team work.

Kudos continue – to the Cath Lab/ED/EMS team. This patient was brought by ASM who transmitted ECG and activated the team pre-hospitaly (STEMI). The patient was taken straight to the Cath Lab after a quick triage in the emergency department (without any STOP at the [critical care pod]). Continue reading →

“Advancing Medicine” Incorporates Aetna’s Response to Stroke Care

Posted on by
Reply

Advancing Medicine WFSB

An episode of Advancing Medicine on WFSB that aired in September 2011 included shots of Aetna Ambulance Service as part of the continuum of stroke care.

See the WFSB episode on their site here…

Aetna Ambulance Member of Finalist Group for “Team of the Year”

Posted on by
Reply
Ambulance Team of the Year Hartford Hospital Aetna Throughput Discharge Planning

The plaque and medal for 2011 Team of the Year finalist were presented by Hartford Healthcare President Elliot Joseph and Hartford Hospital CEO Jeff Flaks at a ceremony at the hospital on November 8th.

HARTFORD – Efficient patient flow and throughput is critical to any hospital’s clinical and financial performance. Late discharge times prevent the timely transition of all Patients and the early identification of available beds, resulting in delays in appropriate Patient placement, increased length of stay, and the inefficient use of resources. To address inefficiencies and possible synergies, Hartford Hospital commissioned the Discharge Planning Action Group (DPAG). Continue reading →