Courtesy of MONOC this Public Service Announcement (PSA) discusses the use of emergency lights and siren in EMS response and its impact on the public policy and the public’s best interest.
Aetna and ASM support the judicious use of lights and siren and industry best practices in regards to “hot” and “cold” responses.
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:
ROCKY HILL — On November 14, 2014 Aetna’s Jennifer Pasquale and Michael Glazier who were recently mentioned for excellent care in service in another blog post, received a Unit Citation from the Rocky Hill Fire Department.
The recognition stems from a September 24, 2014 response in Rocky Hill where the two witnessed a significant head-on motor vehicle crash on the Silas Deane Highway. Their quick action and excellence in clinical care were significant to the patient’s outcome.
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:
Article and video appears on Fox CT.
VERNON– Food drives are now kicking off for the holiday season, and this year there’s additional need for help in Connecticut cities and towns.
Many who oversee food drives in suburban towns and more affluent parts of the state say the need for food assistance is continuing to increase.
In Vernon Thursday afternoon, a kick-off ceremony was held for the sixth annual Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. Fire officials, police, EMS, hospital staff, Rotary and others are participating to help make a difference.
Over the last five seasons the drive has garnered 147,000 food and personal care items, 4,710 turkeys and more than $96,000 in cash, checks and gift cards.
Last year, fire, police and first responders personally helped to collect 25,000 food items and more than $10,000 in cash and gift cards for many suburban families in need.
Emergency response agency and food pantry representatives gathered Thursday at the Hockanum Valley Community Council in Vernon to kick off the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
HARTFORD COURANT
by Jesse Leavenworth
VERNON — Emergency response agencies in the region are teaming up again to boost food supplies for poor and struggling residents. Read the full article here…
Police, fire, emergency medical services and Rotary Club representatives gathered Thursday at the Hockanum Valley Community Council to kick off the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. Collections are set for Saturday and Sunday at supermarkets in Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon and Rocky Hill. Collections in Windsor, Manchester and Rocky Hill also are scheduled for Nov. 22-23.
Now in its sixth year, the drive has collected a total of 147,000 food and personal care items, 4,170 turkeys and about $96,000 in cash, checks and gift cards, organizer Dave Skoczulek of the Ambulance Service of Manchester said. Collections in each town go to pantries that serve those towns, Skoczulek said.
Following are locations and dates for collections (locations are Stop & Shop supermarkets, unless otherwise noted):
October 18, 2014
To Whom This May Concern:
On Saturday morning, September XX at around 4:30am, my husband, [name], and I were involved in a motor vehicle accident on [location in Aetna’s area].
Your ambulance company was called, and two EMS personnel responded to the scene to render medical assistance…I wanted to write and commend them for taking such wonderful care of us. These two [EMS Providers] displayed the utmost kindness, caring, concern and basic life support in what was already a very stressful and upsetting situation.
More often than not people only write to complain but I wanted to write to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to your staff.
Most sincerely,
Patient (14-80011).
(Patient and certain response information redacted for privacy).
HARTFORD — On November 6, 2014, eight EMTs 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.
Ryan Dunn: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Ryan Dunn and I am 23 years old from Houston, Texas. I graduated from TCU in 2013 with a degree in Biology and Chemistry and the eventual goal to go to medical school. After working in the Emergency Department as a scribe for 2 years, I moved up to Tolland and got my certification at CodeOne in East Harford in July. In my free time I like to watch sports of all types, play basketball, and play video games. I am excited and grateful to be part of the Aetna team and can’t wait to work with and meet all of you!
Shahbaz Khan: FULL TIME, EMT. Hello everyone my name is Shahbaz Khan. I am 29 years old and live in Bristol, CT. I was born in Pakistan but raised in United States. I did my undergrad at Central Connecticut State University, from there I went to Atlanta, GA because I got accepted to Cambridge Allied Health for RT(T) Radiation Therapy. I took two years to complete the course and got my diploma. When I come back to CT I became an RA (Recovery Assistant) helping mentally disabled patient, not getting enough working hours I knew I needed to do something else. I was doing my independent studies to get licensed for RT(T) but I needed a profession which will help me gain knowledge, experience, and something I would love to do. My friend who works for Aetna told me “why don’t you come to Aetna and try working as an EMT”. I thought about it and gave it a shot. I was lucky enough to get a job in Naugatuck Ambulance and after getting cleared from the FTO’s I started to enjoy myself as an EMT. I learned new things every day. Every my partner and I did was exciting and I was hooked. I enjoy working in the medical field and try to stay connected as much as I can. The feeling of helping someone and being there for the patient in time of their need is the best feeling. In my spare time I love spending time with my friends. I am a people person so I like interacting with people and making new friends. I enjoy working out, going for a run and dance whenever I have spare time. I live life to fullest although sometimes life does pull you down, but you only get one life so enjoy it as much as you can. I look forward in meeting and making new friends with this company.
Brianna Koshmerl: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Brianna Koshmerl and I am 22 years old from Glastonbury Connecticut. I Grew up in Glastonbury and graduated from Glastonbury High School. I started my college career at UMass Amherst, But transferred for my sophomore year to UConn. While on campus, I participated in many extracurricular’s and philanthropy events, did research in biological sciences, and held student jobs. I graduated from UConn in May, 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology. I just completed my EMT-B course this past summer, and are excited to begin gaining experience in the emergency services field. I want to attend a Physician’s Assistant program, and are using this experience as a gateway into the healthcare career with patient interactions.
Jared Kuhne: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Jared Kuhne and I am 29. Originally I come from northeast Pennsylvania, and recently moved to Ellington CT with my wife. I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, and served in Afghanistan as a translator. During my four year commitment, I earned my Bachelor’s degree and went on to continue my education as a pre-med major at the Central Connecticut State University. I received my EMT training in New York City with Empress Ambulance Service, before moving to Connecticut. I enjoy being a productive member of the community I live in, and I hope that I can make a positive impact here in Hartford. It is my hope to become a knowledgeable healthcare provider, and I’m looking forward to kick starting this career as an EMT with Aetna Ambulance.
Lauren Slebodnick: FULL TIME, EMT. Originally from Manchester, NH, I now live in Suffield, CT. I am 22 years old and I just graduated from Cornell University in May 2014 with a degree in Biology & Society. I was a goalie on the Women’s Ice Hockey Team while in college and I hope to continue my hockey career to the 2018 Winter Olympics. I am also a big Bruins fan. I took an EMT class over the summer and recently obtained my certification. I also volunteer with Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association and Johnson Memorial Medical Center. In the future, I hope to further my education by attending a Physician Assistant Program. I am very excited to join Aetna’s team and I look forward to meeting and learning from my fellow colleagues.
TJ Wain: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is TJ Wain. I am twenty-six years old initially from Waterbury, CT. I currently reside in Wolcott where I volunteer for the local fire department. I graduated University of New Haven back in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, concentrating my studies in Police Administration. I was active as an undergraduate DJing various events on and off campus as well as holding several executive positions in the Sigma Chi Fraternity raising funds for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation as well as the Children’s Miracle Network. As an alumnus, I continued my work as President of the New Haven Alumni Association until attending Paramedic school at Capital Community College, Fall of 2013. After attending paramedic school, I found that I truly enjoyed the impact that I was able to have on peoples’ lives. It may not necessarily be “providing that band-aid,” but providing information, with genuine care, for a more beneficial impact. “What’s a man’s worth if he’s not making the world a better place.” In my spare time, I still actively DJ events as well as enjoy gym, cross-fit and other endurance activities. I look forward to advancing my career in paramedicine and find there is a lot of opportunity in the field for growth and education.
Chris Willey: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Chris Willey and I am originally from New Jersey. I moved to Killingworth when I was fourteen and after college moved Manchester where I have lived for the past year and a half. I went to UCONN for Psychology and Anthropology. I had originally planned to go into accounting or business but realized early on that wasn’t for me. I started to have interest in the medical field my junior year and after talking to friends who were involved in it, quickly became interested in emergency medicine and EMS. In 2012 I took my EMT course at Hartford Hospital. The following year I started volunteering as an EMT, and began working in Hartford Hospitals Emergency Department as an ER Technician. I also work as an EMT in East Windsor. Currently I’m in my final semester of Paramedic School at Goodwin College. I am looking forward to starting my career at Aetna and am counting down the days till orientation!
Alex Zhakov: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Alex Zhakov and I am 22 years old. I was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia and I moved to the United States when I was four years old. Since then, I’ve lived in different parts of Connecticut and love the area. Currently, I reside in Farmington, CT. I recently graduated from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with a Bachelor’s Degree. While attending college in Massachusetts, I completed my EMT certification and am looking forward to beginning my EMS career in Connecticut. When given the opportunity, I love to travel and experience new cultures. In my free time, I love running outdoors, working out at the gym, cooking, catching up on current events, spending time with my family, and playing with my dog. I hope to continue my medical career in the future by attending graduate school. I am particularly interested in the field of infectious disease and would love to someday have a career focused in this area. I am thrilled to be a part of the Aetna team and can’t wait to begin!
Reunited two months after Kyra Deschene’s birth on I-84, (l-r) Jamie and Andy Deschene, ASM paramedic supervisor Beth Sheils, holding Kyra, and ASM emergency medical technician Julie Bissell. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
By Jesse Leavenworth
MANCHESTER — Andy and Jamie Deschene had to make a quick decision on the night of Sept. 5.
Pregnant with her second child, but not due to deliver until Nov. 9, Jamie Deschene, 30, was having labor contractions when she called Andy at work and told him to hurry home. A doctor at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford told the couple that if they could make it to the hospital from their Bolton home in 20 minutes, they could drive. If not, the physician advised, call an ambulance.
Jamie’s water had not broken, and the Deschenes decided to drive. Her water broke on I-384 near the Spencer Street exit.
Soon after, the infant’s feet emerged, and the couple were faced with a potentially dangerous breach birth in their car. Andy pulled off on Exit 56 of I-84 and called 911. The off-ramp was soon bustling with state troopers, East Hartford firefighters and medics from Ambulance Service of Manchester.
Pregnant herself, ASM emergency medical technician Julie Bissell had answered four or five maternity calls within the past month. Each patient’s due date was closer than the one before, Bissell said. On the last call before the Deschenes’ emergency, the woman’s water broke on the ambulance stretcher.
Andy Deschene made his 911 call at 7:42 p.m. Within minutes, East Hartford firefighter/paramedic Tamarah Collins and firefighter Judith Geier joined Bissell and ASM paramedic supervisor Beth Sheils at the scene. They secured Jamie Deschene for transport and headed to Hartford. Read the rest of the story here…
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:
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Since August 2013 Aetna Ambulance Service and the Ambulance Service of Manchester have been sending out Patient Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies all over the respective service areas.
Over 1000 Patient Satisfaction Survey responses have now been collected from ASM and Aetna patients. After answering 18 Likert scale questions an unprompted, qualitative field asks the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew” followed simply by a blank line.
A staggering 35 percent of responses (352 of the 1000) used some version of the word “Professional” to describe ASM and Aetna. For example, true professionals, highly professional, professional and caring, skilled professionals, and more.
Other leading responses include Excellent, Caring, and Efficient respectively.
MANCHESTER — On October 25, 2014 Ambulance Service of Manchester Paramedic Genevieve Geres and AEMT Stephanie Boutot set up an “Amb-boo-lance” near Pinewood Furniture as part of Downtown Manchester’s Halloween Happenings.
Genny and Stephanie gave out treats to the trick-or-treaters making their way to each store and business taking part in the event on Main Street.
MANCHESTER – As of October 21, 2014, ASM’s Sean Norton has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.
Sean’s preceptors were Paramedic Dave White and Paramedic Supervisor Vinnie Maston. 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 ASM, Sean’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Sean and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
Sean started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2010 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Sean the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
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:
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — The following are a list of documents, checklists and other background information related to the Ebola virus for use by Emergency Medical Services providers.
Detailed EMS Checklist for Ebola Preparedness
Known cases remain isolated to the Dallas, Texas area and healthcare providers should continue to get their information from credible and reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.