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

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.

The article can be found at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204062704577221084040452786.html

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 looks like a fighter pilot’s mask. CPAP maintains a constant flow of oxygen, opening the lungs’ passageways to receiving better oxygenation without medication or breathing tubes.

The Wall Street Journal article says, “Continuous positive airway pressure, often used in hospitals instead of breathing tubes and ventilators, are being used by paramedics for patients with respiratory problems who are at high risk of harm by intubation.”

So how do we match up? 

Regional Guidelines for North Central Connecticut now require advanced life support services to carry CPAP. But Aetna and ASM operated portable CPAP for over a year before the requirement came into existence.

In the early days of its use by Aetna and ASM, hospital staff was surprised to see patients arrive with the device in place and the medics had to teach themselves an effective means of coaching patients through its use.

Over the passage of time, CPAP has proven so effective that it has displaced Lasix, the primary medication used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), in the regional protocols used in the field.

More information on the equipment we operate can be found at www.asm-aetna.com.