Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Ashley Harkins Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 4, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna's Ashley Harkins and Hartford Hospital's Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of April 26, 2012, Aetna’s Ashley Harkins has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Ashley’s preceptor was Paramedic Preston Ryzak. 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 Aetna, Ashley’s final approval came from the Hartford Hospital EMS/Trauma Coordinator who shadowed Ashley and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we welcome our newest Paramedic, Ashley Harkins and would like to wish her the best of luck. We are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

ASM Supports the National Kidney Foundation Walk

Posted on May 2, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM at the National Kidney Foundation Walk

(L to R): ASM's Kyle Botteron, Kenny the Kidney and ASM's Ray Stovall

MANCHESTER — On April 29, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) provided standby EMS support to the National Kidney Foundation for their annual Foundation Walk.

According to NFK’s Linda Zuboff, “over 800 walkers and volunteers attend the 2012 Connecticut and Western MA Kidney Walk on Sunday, April 29 at the majestic Wickham Park in Manchester. The event, to date, has raised close to Continue reading →

Benefit for Aetna’s John Cafazzo and Family

Posted on April 30, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

: Aetna’s John Cafazzo

Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT, 6:00 pm-close.

Tickets are $25 and includes a buffet dinner, cash bar and raffle.

John Cafazzo of Hartford Fire Department Ladder Company 3 and EMT Basic for Aetna Ambulance in Hartford was diagnosed with Continue reading →

Meet the Newest Members of the Aetna Team

Posted on April 27, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD — On April 26, 2012 three EMTs and two Paramedics 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.

: Aetna’s Steve Jachym

: Aetna’s Emory Meyerjack

Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 3

Posted on April 24, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Kudos from the Cath Lab

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

Great job everyone.

I though you would like to know that today’s STEMI times were as follows:

Door to Balloon Time – 36 minutes

EMS to Balloon time – 69 minutes

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (town withheld) where the pre-hospital ECG was transmitted by AETNA Ambulance to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and then forwarded to the Cath Lab (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory). Many should be congratulated, in particular:

Drs. McKay and Almahasnen and the Cath Lab team (A. Almeida, R. Fisher, E. Letoutneau)
Drs. Smally, Sullivan and the ED team (C. Urso, A. Mugovero)
Last but not least, the AETNA Paramedics Ashley Harkins and Preston Ryzak for timely ECG interpretation and transmission. Continue reading →

Aetna Promotes Terry Perry to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 20, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna's Terry Perry

HARTFORD — On April 11, 2012 Aetna Ambulance Service promoted Terry Perry from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs.

Terry was hired by the Grady family to work for Aetna in September 2006 as an Emergency Medical Technician. He has worked in the EMS field for 16 years including in the Emergency Department at Hartford Hospital, and truly enjoys what he does. He subsequently worked for the hospital in the Continuing/EMS Education Department. Continue reading →

ASM Promotes Three to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 13, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — On April 10, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) promoted two from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: Stephanie Boutot and Ray Stovall. FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs. (Third FTO removed).

ASM’s Stephanie Boutot

Stephanie Boutot: I am a proud mom of five kids: Andrew, Dylan, Joey, Jeremy, and Zoey. I have been married 20 years to my husband and friend Nelson and was a stay-at-home mom before joining the ASM team almost four years ago (August 15, 2008 and I bring cake or cupcakes every anniversary!) I originally became an EMT to volunteer on my local fire department and found out it could be a paid job. I feel like it was a secret, I wish I had Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Matt Carter Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on April 7, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

: (L to R): Aetna’s Robert Velletri and Matt Carter, Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD — As of March 28, 2012, Aetna’s Matt Carter has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

His preceptor was Paramedic Robert Velletri. The full precepting phase can Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 2

Posted on April 5, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM Aetna Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

ASM Aetna were early adopters of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices.

A recent Wall Street Journal article described cutting edge equipment, techniques and skills in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are changing patient outcomes, revolutionizing care and sharpening the leading edge of the EMS industry.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here…

So how do Aetna and ASM match up against The Ultimate Lifesaver?

Volume 2: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Devices

CPAP is an amazingly effective device that Continue reading →

ASM’s Vinnie Maston Presents to Mended Hearts’ Greater Hartford Chapter

Posted on March 30, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM's Vinnie Maston presents to Mended Hearts

HARTFORD — On March 21st, ASM Paramedic Supervisor Vinnie Maston presented to the Greater Hartford Chapter of “Mended Hearts”. The chapter requested an speaker from the EMS community to present examples of the cutting edge technology presently in use in the field.

According to their website, Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that has been “offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers.” Continue reading →

Assisting the ALS Provider Class: Open to Outside Agencies

Posted on March 26, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Assisting with ALS Care Have you ever wondered, “Where is the Paramedic headed with this line of treatment?” or “Is there more I can do to help the Paramedic render rapid and effective care?” Well here is your answer Continue reading →

Fundraiser in Memory of Officer John Marvin

Posted on March 22, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

April 6th, 4pm-2am at Margarita’s Restaurant, 350 Robert’s Street, East Hartford.

All proceeds go to benefit the Jack E. Marvin Scholarship Fund. Come join family and friends of John Marvin to celebrate his life and care for his son’s future.

John was a Hartford Police Officer killed in a motor vehicle accident on January 27, 2012. Prior to serving as a police officer he had worked as an EMT for the Ambulance Service of Manchester.

Can’t attend? Information on where to send donations can be found here… Continue reading →

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 1: “The Johnson Medic”

Posted on March 20, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Johnson Memorial Medical Center and Ambulance Service of Manchester

STAFFORD SPRINGS — The Ambulance Service of Manchester’s (ASM) Alpha Five has been stationed at Johnson Memorial Medical Center for over eight years.

This transport-capable paramedic unit was initially stationed there at the request of JMMC in order to secure immediate transport of a certain population of critical patients.

In a short period of time the surrounding towns began calling on Alpha Five to provide “paramedic intercepts” as part of their 911 response and the moniker “The Johnson Medic” soon became commonly used.

Originally the service to the hospital and the towns was provided on a 12 hour (peak hour) basis. Soon the hospital and the surrounding towns realized Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Mike Mayo Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on March 15, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

: (L to R): ECHN’s Marge Letitia, ASM’s Mike Mayo and Mike Panciera

MANCHESTER — As of March 14, 2012, ASM’s Mike Mayo 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 Sue Allen and Paramedic Supervisor Mike Panciera. 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, Continue reading →

The Ultimate Lifesaver? How Aetna and ASM Ambulance Stack Up – Vol. 1

Posted on March 13, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM and Aetna Ambulance Paramedics Operate LifePak 15s