Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Chris Myska Completes Precepting Phase

MANCHESTER – As of January 30th, 2018, ASM’s Chris Myska has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. His preceptors were Paramedic Supervisor Tim Lachappelle and Paramedic Mike Levasseur. Chris was hired at the Ambulance Service of Manchester in July, 2017 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. He arrives to the organization with a great deal of previous experience, having spent 8 years in the US Air Force, where he serves as an Aeromedical Evacuation Specialist in the grade of Technical Sergeant. He is a combat veteran, having served multiple deployments in the Global War on Terror. He also brings the experience of a 5-year tenure as an Emergency Department Medical Technician at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

As with all precepting phases at ASM, his final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing him and his preceptors in the field as they responded to emergency calls.On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Chris the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Praise from West Hartford Fire Department

West Hartford Fire Department

Department of Fire Service, Engine 1

January XX, 2018

To: Gary Allyn Chief, Chief of Department

 I just wanted to send you a quick Email regarding a favorable response from Aetna Ambulance last evening. E-1 responded to [a nursing home] for difficulty breathing. E-1 and Medic-1 found the patient critical. Bradycardic, and No blood pressure and needed BVM assistance. Medic- O’hara dropped a few lines into him, intubated him etc…

The Medic on the rig was a guy named Preston who was FANTASTIC!!!! The EMT was great as well. If you have the ability can you please pass on the praise, it was a huge relief to have such a genuine crew show up with a truly challenging call that had so many problems to long to explain via Email.

Once again, thank you for the assistance and professionalism of your staff.

LT. [Engine 1]

Upcoming Charity Events

 

 

 

 

For the month of February, Aetna and ASM will be ordering pins in recognition of American Heart Month. Crew members, dispatchers and office personnel may purchase a pin for a donation of one to five dollars. All proceeds with be donated to the American Heart Association at month end.

On March 4th, Team ASM-Aetna will be partaking in the 2018 Connecticut Brain Freeze. Those interested gain the opportunity to plunge into the ocean to raise awareness/resources for brain tumor-specific programs. Please consider joining the fun! For instructions on how to register, copy the link below and follow the instructions provided.

1. Select “Register”
2. Select “Join as a New Participant”
3. Team Name – “Team ASM-Aetna”
4. Select “Join” and follow prompts

http://events.braintumor.org/connecticut-brain-freeze/

 

 

 

 

Further out…

ASM/Aetna will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive for employees at our headquarters in Manchester on Tuesday, May 1st 2018.

 

 

 

 

April- Autism Awareness Month

May- ALS Awareness Month

Absolutely Amazing!

Below are a few recent quotes from the comment section of Aetna’s Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Keep up the great work!

 

Absolutely Amazing. I asked a million questions and they were able to answer everything and keep me calm.

Professional, caring, sensitive to my feelings, reassuring and kind.

Very kind and caring, comforting.

They were some of the kindest people around.

ASM’s Coat Drive Results

MANCHESTER-The results are in for the first ASM Coat Drive! Thanks to employees, family members and friends, a total of 26 jackets along with multiple, hats, coats and scarves were collected. ASM’s Laura McHugh was the driving force for this initiative. All donations were delivered to the Manchester Area Conference of Churches (M.A.C.C.) clothing store “Community Threads” located at 466 Main Street in Manchester. A quote from Laura, the event organizer is provided below.

 

Thanks so much to everyone involved! Year one turned out to be more of a success than anticipated. It’s amazing to see how your compassion for helping others does not end with patient care. Can’t wait for next year’s results!

A Special note….

MANCHESTER – In early January, The Ambulance Service of Manchester received a hand written thank you note addressed to Paramedic Robert Balkun and EMT Mike Sparks. The note, as depicted below, is in regards to a transport completed a few weeks prior.

 

The EMT team tried to make the transport as pain free as possible. They kept talking to me the entire ride to the hospital. Someone stayed with me the entire time at the hospital (I was alone) until I was put into an ER room.

ASM and Aetna Prepare for Winter Storm Grayson

Occasionally we will share severe weather information consequential to public health, public safety and EMS response. Below is a warning issued by the National Weather Service. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST FRIDAY…

…WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH

SATURDAY AFTERNOON…

 

 

 

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Very cold wind chills possible.

Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Tree branches could

fall as well. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with

localized amounts up to 15 inches, are expected. Wind chills

could range from 5 below zero to 25 below zero.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Connecticut and central and

western Massachusetts.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 1 AM EST Friday.

For the Wind Chill Watch, from Friday morning through Saturday

afternoon.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for significant reductions in

visibility at times. Cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero

will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed

skin.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather

conditions are occurring. If you must travel, keep an extra

flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an

emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are

calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

A Wind Chill Watch means there is the potential for a combination

of very cold air and the wind to create dangerously low wind

chill values. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for

updates on this situation.


Photo above from The Weather Channel