Author Archives: ASM-Aetna

Schedule of EMS Week 2014 Events and Activities

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EMS Week 2013 - Aetna Ambulance Ambulance Service of ManchesterEMS Week 2014

Sunday, May 18th 

  • 0700: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
  • 1500: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
  • 2300: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
Monday, May 19th
  • 0700-0900: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Breakfast to be served.
Tuesday, May 20th
  • 0800-1300:  Hartford Hospital, EMS Week Symposium, Room 221 of the Educational Resource Center.
  • 1735: EMS Night at The Rock Cats, Rock Cats Stadium in New Britain: tickets available for Aetna and ASM employees through Evalyn and 100 tickets available first come first served for all local EMS through Saint Francis Care.
Wednesday, May 21st
  • 1200-1400: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cookout.
  • 1700-1900: Saint Francis Hospital, Emergency Department: Burrito BBQ Dinner.
  • 1730: Saint Francis Hospital EMS Champion Awards Ceremony, Emergency Department, ambulance bay area.
  • 1730-1900: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cookout.
Thursday, May 22nd
  • 1130-1330: Saint Francis Hospital, Emergency Department: Burrito BBQ Lunch.
  • 1800: Johnson Memorial Medical Center BBQ & CME: Two CME hours for “Responding to the Cardiac Arrest – What to do when it is time to stop!” lecture that follows BBQ at CMEC Amphitheater (the building on the right as you enter the main hospital driveway).
  • 1900-2200: Hartford Hospital – Hublein Hall: EMS Goes to the Movies. An evening of fun, popcorn and movies. 
Friday, May 23rd
  • 0700-0900: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Breakfast to be served. 
Saturday, May 24th
  • 0700: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available
  • 1500: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available
  • 2300: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available

If your organization, facility or agency is having an EMS Week event in the greater Hartford area and you do not see it listed here, please fill out the contact form, post it as a comment or email it to us at DavidS [at] asm-aetna.com.

#CarolynStrong Bracelets Now Available

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CarolynStrongMANCHESTER — Show your support for Carolyn Edwards and her recovery.

#CarolynStrong bracelets are now available for a minimum donation of $3.00.

Please see the following ASM employees to purchase one, or three or five or a few dozen:

Stacy Debarge
Lauren Mazzoni
Ryan McConville
Heather Carl
Tim Allbee
Jocelyn Heim (MMH ER)
Genny Geres

Click on the following site for more information on how to donate to support her recovery, buy t-shirts, get updates and otherwise show your support: www.carolynstrong.org.

Aetna’s David Noyes Visits Southington Boy Scout Pack 72

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DJ Noyes SouthingtonNote: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Southington. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

SOUTHINGTON — On April 21, 2014 Aetna’s David (DJ) Noyes visited Boy Scout Pack 72 out of Southington, CT. According to DJ, “we practiced dressing small wounds, looked at all the different equipment and toured the ambulance. We also learned what to expect if an ambulance shows up to their house or at a car accident.”

Supporting Carolyn Edwards in Her Recovery

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360_carolyn_1MANCHESTER — On May 6, 2014 ASM EMT Carolyn Edwards was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Carolyn is a much loved and cherished member of the ASM team and support for her recovery has been overwhelming, touching and flowing from all directions.

In order to respect Carolyn and her family’s privacy during her recovery and to provide a source of information and support, members of the ASM family and Carolyn’s friends have constructed www.carolynstrong.org.

According to the site, “As a collaboration of friends and co-workers of Carolyn Edwards, we will combine and coordinate efforts for the common cause of benefiting Carolyn and her family in their time of need. We will support their emotional, physical, and financial needs to assist in restoring Carolyn in her optimal health. #Carolynstrong”

To further respect Carolyn’s privacy, the ASM-Aetna blog will not be chronicling her recovery but will continue to provide updates on ways to support her and her family including fundraisers and more.

Aetna Puts New Operations Supervisor Vehicle in Service

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Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Paramedic Supervisor HARTFORD — On May 2, 2014 Aetna Ambulance Service placed in service a new Paramedic Supervisor vehicle. The 2014 Ford F-150 was outfitted with a custom shelving unit, emergency lights, high-visibility Batternburg pattern livery and reflective rear chevrons.

The non-transporting EMS vehicle will be used primarily by the Operations Supervisors to maintain the continuity of day-to-day operations, respond to mass casualty incidents and support EMS staff in the field.

 

High Praise for Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and ASM Team

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MFRE ASMMANCHESTER — On March 30, 2014 a crew from ASM responded with Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS (MFRE)’s Truck 2 to a complaint of difficulty breathing. The patient responded to ASM’s satisfaction survey and had glowing things to say about the entire team: MFRE Truck 2’s Mike, Tim (paramedic), Jim and Angelo and ASM’s Bobbi Basque and Lauren Mathiau.

The patient answered “Strongly Agree” to all 16 clinical-based satisfaction questions. When asked to use a word to describe the team, the patient wrote “Professional.” The patient was brought directly to the Cardiac Catherization lab at Hartford Hospital.

The patient then hand wrote the following comments: “Thanks to Manchester Fire Rescue and the ASM people…they saved my life. As soon as [EMS] came in they made the decision to get me in the ambulance and moving to the hospital and had the hospital ready. Doctor said ten more minutes and I would not be here. They kept me alive, took me to the right place, in time and the Hospital took it from there. What can I say? Thank you to the people that provided the service and especially [the EMS team]. Time was short and they made the right decision and knew what they were doing. Again, thank you for saving my life.”

-#14-26976

Four Hurt In School Bus Crash In Rocky Hill

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hc-rocky-hill-school-bus-crash-0501-20140430-001By DAVID OWENS, The Hartford Courant

Read the full story here…

12:09 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2014

ROCKY HILL — Four people with minor injuries were taken by ambulance to area hospitals after an accident involving a school bus on northbound I-91 in Rocky Hill Wednesday morning.

Three children aboard the bus complained of pain.

Several ambulances were dispatched to the crash, near exit 23.

Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance Service crews transported three children to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and one adult to Hartford Hospital.

The bus was carrying sixth graders from East Haven‘s Joseph Melillo Middle School to the Connecticut Science Center, school officials said.

State police were investigating. The crash was reported at 9:51 a.m.

Three Sprinter Ambulances Arrive to Replace Last Fords

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DSC_1741MANCHESTER — On April 28, 2014 three more blank Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ambulances arrived at Aetna’s fleet maintenance area at ASM from American Emergency Vehicles in North Carolina.

The change will mean that both Aenta Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) will be fully switched to Dodge and Mercedes Sprinters within the Type II category. This will leave only three Type III Fords for use as specialty bariatric units and none within the day-to-day fleet, a change several years in the making.

The three additional, unmarked ambulances 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. 

Aetna at Hartford Hospital’s ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work’ Day

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HARTFORD — On April 24, 2014 an Aetna Ambulance crew was on hand at Hartford Hospital to participate in their annual Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day. Aetna’s Paul Ferri and Collin Whalen gave tours of the ambulance, showed EMS gear and supplies and spoke about the daily life of an EMS Provider.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 23

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Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Caring and professional.
  • Amazing.
  • Excellent, caring, compassionate, professional. (14-9832; M. Hoyt, J. Bonneau).
  • Prompt and professional.
  • No improvement needed.
  • Excellent.
  • Compassionate, kept me smiling and comfortable. All the folks in the ambulance made me feel comfortable and at ease. They were highly professional and just all around nice people. (14-15936; A. Harkins, J. Benson).
  • Good.
  • Helpful.
  • Super – Keep up the good work.
  • Caring and considerate.
  • My EMT Matt was very professional. I would like to thank him for remembering to take my wedding rings off before my hand swelled so that they did not have cut them off. His attention to details was excellent (14-16315; M. Campbell, S. McDuell).
  • Thank you. Good job.
  • Friendly and caring
  • Caring x 2.
  • Professional, empathetic, caring.
  • Kind.
  • Perfect!!!
  • Professional! All I can say is that I am very grateful for their service. They listened to me and knew what I needed after I told them my problem (14-8036; A. Hedburg, C. Rockoff).

Aetna and ASM Upgrade Transport Ventilators

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Oxylog 3000 004HARTFORD and MANCHESTER — By the end of April 2014 Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) will upgrade to a industry leading medical device known as the Draeger Oxylog 3000 Ventilator; “the ventilator of choice for emergency and transport ventilation.” Better to have one, according  to a Draeger tag line.

Aetna and ASM are entrusted with the safe transport of long-term ventilator dependent patients from premier rehabilitation long-term acute and chronic care hospitals such as the Hospital for Special Care. ASM also provides medically appropriate Specialty Care Transport services to the areas regional hospitals, transporting ill and injured patients to tertiary care centers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Oxylog is capable of replicating complex, in-hospital ventilator settings such as IE ratios, CPAP, assist control, SIMV and more.

The use of Draeger Ventilators 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.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 22

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Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • The very best. If it were not for them my son would be in serious condition. (14-3972; R. Leslie, R. McConville).
  • Experienced and accommodating.
  • Very good!!!
  • I felt safe! The gentleman was very nice and reassuring. Thank you! (14-8438; S. Crittenden).
  • Terrific.
  • Very good care.
  • Excellent x 3.
  • Superb! The EMTs/Paramedics were so very good with me and my children. They listened to me and eased the very tense and frightening situation. (13-111854; J. Traber, B. Langan).
  • Caring, kind and professional. Recently losing my husband after 30 years I was alone and scared. Your people made me feel very safe and relaxed (14-11807; N. Toro).
  • Professional and efficient.
  • Excellent service.
  • I felt like I was very well taken care of.
  • Caring, concerned, very professional.
  • Professional, EMT was very nice.
  • Compassionate x 2.
  • Wonderful. Very professional.
  • Excellent service.
  • Extremely efficient and cordial.
  • There when you need help.
  • Very kind, compassionate and understanding. (14-2647; S. Allen, B. Langan).
  • Super.
  • Very competent.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 15

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MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:

  • The main hallway is complete.
  • The foyer is complete and the reception window is functional creating a new main entrance on the south side of the building.
  • The new training room is complete including the placement of a integrated training podium.
  • The new storage area is complete.
  • The Dispatch Center walls and ceiling have been demolished. The wall between dispatch and a defunct office space has been cut through to accommodate the placement of a new wheelchair van dispatch office.

The next steps are constructing the new Dispatch Center, installing signage and an awning over the new main entrance, re-configuring the main call-taking office, installing water fountains and demolishing the old storage cages for more ambulance and wheelchair van parking.

The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.

ASM Adds Second Type III Bariatric Ambulance

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Ambulance Service of Manchester Bariatric Ambulance Stryker Power LoadMANCHESTER — On March 21, 2014 the Ambulance Service of Manchester put in service a second Type III ambulance for the transport of morbidly obese patients as well as for use with certain flight, specialty and critical care transport teams. The ambulance is identically equipped to ASM and Aetna’s existing bariatric ambulances, complete with a Stryker Power-LOAD stretcher lift system.

Capable of lifting a maximum patient weight of 700 pounds, it is the company’s belief that the Stryker Power-LOAD is the safest overall bariatric ambulance equipment. Read more about what makes the Power-LOAD system the safest...

STRYKER Power Load Stretcher - Aetna ASM AmbulanceAdding an additional bariatric ambulance is part of ASM and Aetna’s continued commitment to the communities and clients the companies serve.