Utilizing Technology to Improve Patient Outcomes

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.

Cody Lemire, Paramedic

ASM Participates in ‘Stop The Bleed” Event

MANCHESTER-On Saturday, March 31, 2018 the town of Manchester joined with over 600 communities across the nation in observing the inaugural “Stop the Bleed Day” by hosting the American College of Surgeons’ Basic Bleeding Control course. This course, which was offered free of charge to members of the community, provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to save a life in the event of a serious bleeding emergency. Bleeding is the number one preventable cause of death associated with a traumatic injury, regardless of the cause of that injury.

Manchester’s course was coordinated by Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.  ASM’s Paramedic Greg Derosier and EMT/Field Training Officer Cory Lachance joined representatives from the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services, Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS, Manchester Public Schools, and Manchester Health Department to teach participants hands-on bleeding control techniques.

According to a press release available on the American College of Surgeons (ACS) website:

“Stop the Bleed traces its origins to the aftermath of the Sandy Hook School shootings on December 14, 2012. Shortly afterward, the ACS partnered with law enforcement and other interested national organizations to develop the Hartford Consensus. Out of this Consensus (where the initial meetings convened in Hartford, Connecticut), emerged an emergency response goal to improve survival following mass shootings and other intentional acts of mass violence by empowering civilians to take life-saving action when the need arises, regardless of the situation or cause of the significant bleeding.

After recommendations of the Hartford Consensus were released, Stop the Bleed, a national public awareness campaign was launched in October of 2015 by the White House and then-President Obama, with a call to action to begin training more people to become immediate responders. Stop the Bleed cultivates grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency, thus becoming the first vital link of the trauma care chain of survival.”

If you were unable to attend this course and wish to receive this potentially life-saving training, it is offered on an ongoing basis, FREE of charge, to anyone interested.  Please visit http://bleedingcontrol.org and click “Find a Class” to locate a class near you.

Above Post Drafted by ASM EMT/Field Training Officer Cory Lachance

ASM Newsletter, Volume 3

The Ambulance Service of Manchester is proud to release the third issue of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse features numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies, 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. Please enjoy!

ASM Newsletter, Volume 2!

The Ambulance Service of Manchester is happy to release the second issue of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse features 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. Please enjoy!

ASM appears in ECHN Commercial!

 

 

 

 

 


Over the course of the next several weeks, ASM will be featured in a television commercial recently produced by Eastern Connecticut Health Network. EMT’s Erind Muco and Chris Tevnan can be viewed within the advertisement along with a clip of a Mercedes Sprinter ambulance. The commercial represents a portion of the comprehensive campaign; demonstrating just a few of the technological advancements offered within ECHN’s community setting.

Please click the link below to check it out!

 

ECHN is not just east of the river, it’s East of Ordinary.

ASM Attends the 2017 CT EMS EXPO

The annual Connecticut EMS Expo is the largest emergency medical services conference in New England. In addition to offering numerous classes and workshops, the event is a tremendous networking opportunity. Several forms of entertainment are offered as well, including the popular cornhole tournament. Please note ASM Paramedic’s Jeff Rasmussen and Dave Pozniak at this year’s event. According to Jeff, attending both the golf tournament and weekend lectures/ activities has become a yearly tradition.

 

EMS Recruitment Tool – PSA Video

The link below leads to a video recently produced by the Public Information and Education (PIE) Subcommittee of the Connecticut EMS Advisory Board. The video demonstrates the true value of EMS professionals within the healthcare continuum. In addition, it acts as a recruitment tool for prospective EMS providers.

 

Click Here!

National Nurses Week 2017

 

ASM and Aetna would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the nurses our employees interact with on a daily basis. Your continued dedication and compassion remains an essential aspect of the patient care experience. Please know that your efforts will never go unnoticed.

 

 

Aetna Company Newsletter

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.

 

ASM Company Newsletter!

The Ambulance Service of Manchester is pleased to announce the release of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse 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. The first issue of Aetna’s employee newsletter will be released on May 1st.

Click above to view!

Provider Wellness

Canadian Paramedicine is an informative and progressive magazine complete with numerous research articles beneficial to EMS providers. One such article entitled “Eat, Sleep and be healthy-a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work,” outlines some of the risks associated with working outside of the traditional 8-hour daytime schedule. More importantly, it provides evidence based suggestions for healthy eating, staying fit, and developing better sleeping habits.

Quotes from the article:

 “Exercise can enhance alertness at work in addition to increasing neural activity and clinical performance. Blocking out 20 minutes (or more) prior to a shift will boost their mood and combat fatigue while working.”

 

“Prepare meals for a number of days  for quick and easy access. Experiment with slow-cookers or freeze portion sizes of healthy meals. Pack healthy snacks such as prepared fruit and easy-to-eat vegetable pieces like baby carrots and celery with hummus, or a small container of mixed unsalted nuts and seeds.”

Find the article in its entirety below:

Eat, sleep and be healthy – a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work

“Love our First Responders”

MANCHESTER — On Valentine’s Day, the staff and residents of Arbors of Hop Brook Retirement Community graciously hosted a “Love our First Responders” breakfast demonstrating their appreciation and respect for members of The Ambulance Service of Manchester, Manchester Police Department, and Manchester Fire Department. Activity Director Laurie Robinson organized the event, and offered the following sentiment: “Thank you for your prompt, caring, professional, unselfish and noble actions. We respect and appreciate what you do for our community. Our hearts are thankful for your extraordinary efforts.” Included in the picture to your left are excited and grateful residents, members of the Arbors staff, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran, Police Chief Marc Montminy, Fire Chief David Billings, and EMT’s Sean Gregg and Elizabeth Miller from ASM.

Provider Wellness

Below is a link to an article published in JEMS Magazine. Written by 25 year veteran paramedic Bryan Fass, the piece tackles the important, yet often overlooked topic of physical fitness within EMS. Understanding the daily challenge of balancing work, family, finances, and health/wellness, Fass introduces what he calls “The Change Equation,” offering ideas on how to get motivated, form positive habits, and produce long-lasting behavioral changes.

In addition, Fass dispels some common myths that act as barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He even offers a sample training routine with detailed steps and photos demonstrating safe and effective body mechanics.

Check It Out!

 

Disaster Triage Online Game Needs EMS Study Participants

HARTFORD —  In a correspondence from Dr. James Parker of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center:

Calling all Paramedics, EMTs and EMS students!

60 Seconds to SurvivalLeaders of the Study are examining the utility of the video game as a learning tool for START/JumpSTART.

You are invited to participate in this fun research study based out of Yale University School of Medicine.

WHAT DO I GET?

  • Access to an online GAME where you learn & practice MASS CASUALTY TRIAGE for PEDIATRIC and adult patients.
  • 3.25 hours of CME time.
  • $15 Amazon Gift card.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

  • Agree to play the game once a week for 15 minutes (for 13 weeks).
  • Provide feedback on the game when prompted.

I’M IN, HOW DO I SIGN UP?

  • please email me at JFParke@ConnecticutChildrens.org
  • Please include what organization you’re from.
  • She will send you the link to the game and further details about CME.
  • Remember, you can withdraw at any point – (but won’t get the gift card).

Your reply implies verbal consent (information sheet at end of message).

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Jim Parker, MD

EMS Liaison

860-837-5432

jfparke@connecticutchildrens.org

Aetna and ASM are not affiliated with this study. 

INTERACT Training for Emergency Medical Services – The ‘Red Envelope’

QIO-and-Qualidigm-logosINTERACT 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:

http://www.healthcarefornewengland.org/providers/nursing-home/#tool

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