Heavy Lifting For Ambulance Crews

Obesity Epidemic Is Changing Emergency Medical Transport

By JESSE LEAVENWORTH, leavenworth@courant.com The Hartford Courant

October 20, 2012

Brian Langan Ambulance Service of Manchester

Emergency medical technicians have long shared a Murphy’s Law kind of reckoning about obese patients: for every additional floor in a building, the patient will weigh 100 more pounds.

It’s dark humor among men and women with an often grim, strenuous job, but obesity rates are rising throughout the state and nation, and a recently released report says the ranks of the morbidly obese will continue to balloon.

The task of transporting patients who weigh at least 100 pounds more than they should is now a daily reality in Connecticut and throughout the nation. The job strains ambulance crews, causing widespread back injuries, and piles financial burdens on both volunteer companies and professional providers.

“We’ve always had to deal with big people,” said Glenn Luedtke,safety committee chairman of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, “but nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see someone who’s 300 pounds into the 400-pound range.” Continue reading

Stryker Power Stretcher System Deployed on Bariatric Ambulances

The safest bariatric ambulance loading system in use today. 

POWER Load Stretcher - ASM Aetna Ambulance

HARTFORD and MANCHESTER, Connecticut — On October 1, 2012, Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester installed and deployed Stryker Power-LOAD stretcher lift systems in each of the company’s two bariatric ambulances. 

Capable of lifting a maximum patient weight of 700 pounds, it is the company’s firm belief that the Stryker Power LOAD is the safest overall bariatric ambulance equipment for a number of reasons:

  • Power-LOAD is the best product for protecting the dignity  of  the patient. There are no industrial winches or uneven, ten foot track systems. There is no large rear deployment area that has the patient sitting out exposed to the elements.
  • Power-LOAD is the best system for protecting the well-being of the ambulance crew. Patient and stretcher lifting is done entirely by the powered system and not by the backs of the crew. The system reduces stretcher drops and makes the best use of its low center of gravity.
  • Power-LOAD is the best method for healthcare facilities as it is not large and unwieldy. It is easy to maneuver and fits into any space where a standard stretcher would fit.

Equipping our bariatric units with the Power-LOAD stretcher lift system is part of Aetna and ASM’s long-term commitment to the safety of our patients and employees. 

Read the Hartford Courant Article here: Ambulance Service Of Manchester And Aetna Ambulance Get New Equipment For Obese Patients…

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ASM Wins Governor’s Award for Career EMS Organizations

HARTFORD– Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) has won the “Governor’s Award for Career EMS Services” for 2012. The award is conferred by the Connecticut EMS Council as part of EMS Week (May 20-26), an annual recognition of the dedication and sacrifice of Emergency Medical Services professionals.

Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) Wins 2012 Governor's Award Connecticut

This award was established to recognize and commend an EMS Organization that has enhanced the understanding and support of the EMS System through their public service, community education and contributions to a city, town region or the state as a whole.

Read the Remind News article here…

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ASM Responds: Car Crash in Manchester

Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM)
(Photo Courtesy of Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD COURANT

MANCHESTER— Three people were taken away by ambulance after an accident on Tolland Turnpike Wednesday afternoon.

The injuries were non-life threatening, police said. Two vehicles had heavy front-end damage. Police traffic Sgt. Hank Minor said speeding and inattentive driving caused the accident. A driver of a third car involved in the accident would be cited, Minor said. Read the full Courant article here… Continue reading

Aetna Responds: Ambulance Crew Provides EMS Support at Standoff

Aetna Ambulance Crew Stands By

Aetna Ambulance Crew Stands By

HARTFORD — An Aetna Ambulance crew can be seen standing by at a standoff last night on Allen Street in Hartford.

SWAT officers were present and a suspect was taken into custody. Link to the Courant article and one additional photograph below, care of the Hartford Courant.  Continue reading

ASM Responds: Students Hospitalized After Crash With Police Cruiser

ASM Responds: Accident involving police cruiser and teenagers

ASM Responds: Accident involving police cruiser and teenagers

— Four Manchester High School students were slightly injured when a police cruiser collided with their car Tuesday, officials said.

The driver of the Oldsmobile sedan may have been pulling out of a curbside parking space, or making a u-turn in the road when the cruiser struck the driver’s side, Police Chief Marc Montminy said, but investigators are still gathering information. Read the full Hartford Courant article here…

More pictures in full blog post… Continue reading

ASM Earns Praise from ECHN for Winter Storm Alfred Support

ECHN praises Ambulance Service of Manchester for response during Winter Storm AlfredTo show appreciation for the coordinated response to Winter Storm Alfred, Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) placed this ad in the Hartford Courant, Journal Inquirer and The Reminder News.

ASM and Aetna provided significant discharge, inter-facility, specialty care and post-care transportation in the wake of the storm, all while responding to record high 911 volume.

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Emergency of Hunger Food Drive Yields Fantastic Results

Ambulance Service of Manchester Emergency of Hunger Food Drive
An ASM ambulance, loaded with food, nearing the full mark.

News Release

MANCHESTER  – When the dust settled on the friendly but competitive “Emergency of Hunger Food Drive,” Team Manchester won in the food count, Team Vernon won in cash, checks and gift cards and Team South Windsor won in turkeys.

In total, the three teams collected:

  • 27,000 food items
  • 742 turkeys, and
  • Over $33,000 in cash, checks and gift cards.

Read the Hartford Courant Article here…

Read the Reminder article here… Continue reading

Emergency of Hunger Food Drive Profiled in Hartford Courant

David Skoczulek with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC

ASM’s David Skoczulek with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman

Read the Hartford Courant article on the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive….

Local emergency and public service agencies will be teaming up again this holiday season to collect food and cash to stock up depleted area food banks and shelters.

Representing their respective towns, teams are made up of police, fire, public works and EMS professionals, employees of Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) and Rotary Club volunteers. Continue reading

‘Broken Road’ Leads To Rascal Flatts Concert

The following article appeared in the Hartford Courant on August 11, 2011. Video appears with the permission of Fox61. 

HARTFORD COURANT – Jesse Leavenworth

Sharon Vanover needed good news.

On July 30 in Stafford, a car with an allegedly drunk driver at the wheel crushed Vanover’s right leg as she rode on the back of husband Mark Vanover’s motorcycle. Recovery will be long and painful, and the Vanovers said they had to close one of their two day-care centers this week because Sharon cannot manage the business.

Into these dark days comes the Ambulance Service of Manchester and a modern version of the Cinderella story. Read more…

In a card written to the crewmembers, Sharon writes, Continue reading