- General Page - Tier 2Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center visitor hours are 8 am – 8pm.For the safety of children, no children under 12 years of age are allowed as visitors. Exceptions are allowed for children with a parent admitted for an extended period of time or end-of-life.Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center welcomes care partners and support persons for all patients.LHDCMC reserves the right to limit visitation to one care partner or support person per patient in areas where it is difficult to follow social distance guidelines:Observation Units – Telemetry and 2 EastAny semi-private room End of Life:Only two care partners in the Emergency DepartmentIf the health care team deems the patient is at the end of life, the care team will contact the family.End-of-life care partners may remain at the bedside until the patient has expired, 24/7.An adult must be with minors under 18.As a patient and family centered organization, we will continue to review and update our visitation guidelines and practices as the situation changes.Definitions:Care Partners – Any person(s) who plays a significant role in an individual’s life. This may include family or a person(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, and significant others. Care partners may be individuals with a continued legal, genetic and/or emotional relationship as defined by the patient.Support Person – For patients with disabilities, support persons provide personal, behavioral and/or communication support not otherwise provided in a hospital setting. A support person may be appropriate for, but is not limited to, patients with intellectual, developmental, physical, or neurocognitive disabilities. A support person may include, but is not limited to a family member, personal care assistant and/or disability service provider.General guidelines for all approved care partners and/or support persons:Care partners should be 12 years and older, unless the visit is for the end of life. An adult must accompany minors under 18 years old. The adult cannot be the patient.Universal masking is no longer required in any Luminis Health facility. Luminis Health has shifted to optional masking for all staff, patients, and visitors. All care partners and support persons will be required to wash or sanitize their hands throughout their visit. Patients and visitors who prefer to wear a mask while in our facility may do so. Patients may also request that their care team wear masks.Caring for and protecting our patients, care partners, employees and the community is of the utmost importance. All care partners and support persons will be required to wash or sanitize their hands throughout their visit. Eating is permitted in patient rooms but not permitted in patient care areas or waiting areas.Clergy of any denomination may visit a patient (COVID-19 positive or negative) at any time at the request of the patient.Patients who are 21 years of age or under may have a parent or guardian with them.Support persons who serve as a surrogate decision maker, including power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for a patient, and need to be physically present to engage in the decision making process is permitted 24 hours daily.Hospital guests with an official governmental function may be present.Confirmed or suspected COVID-19All care partners or support persons are welcome during designated visiting hours.The care partner or support person will be required to put on personal protective equipment (PPE), provided by the nursing team, which will include a gown, gloves, and a surgical mask. A member of the hospital care team will assist in PPE use., FAQs How can family and friends stay in touch with their loved ones and the health care team? Hospital staff will reach out to a designated care partner, as agreed to by the patient, to communicate about the patient’s condition. In addition, hospital staff will help you in communicating directly with the patient. What if my loved one or I need health care for other illnesses or injury? We will continue to serve and care for the needs of all patients. We are committed to providing essential health services and to caring for our community. Resources MD DOD and DOH Notice - Support Persons for Individuals with Disabilities MD DOD and DOH Notice - Support Persons for Individuals with Disabilities - Spanish MD DOD and DOH Notice Access to Support for Patients with Disabilities MD DOD and DOH Notice Access to Healthcare Facilities - Spanish Luminis Health Visitation Policy for Patients with Disabilities Luminis Health Visitation Policy for Patients with Disabilities - Spanish Additional requests will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the administrator on call. We appreciate your understanding during these extraordinary times. We are confident that together we will continue to deliver the highest quality of care.0
- Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor premature and medically fragile babies, every milestone represents an emotionally packed triumph. The AAMC NICU–Teddy’s Place celebrates these victories with its Journey Bead necklace program. When a baby is first admitted, the mother receives a necklace with one bead—blue for a boy, pink for a girl. A bead is added for each milestone the baby achieves while at the hospital. A few of these significant events include the first diaper change, snuggling into kangaroo care, coming off oxygen, successfully breast-feeding, and the grandest bead of all, going home. “It’s a way to help parents recognize each accomplishment. But it’s also a way to keep them thinking positive thoughts,” says NICU Nurse Navigator Polly White, RN. “When I bring in a bead for baby’s first breast-feeding or coming off oxygen, it’s easy to open a conversation about what’s next—what we can look forward to. So I think in some ways this necklace that represents success softens negative emotions that can crop up during any parent’s journey.” They’re inexpensive beads on a black leather string, Polly adds, but mothers wear their necklace as if it holds precious jewels. “It’s physical proof that this tiny person, who may seem so fragile, is actually quite strong and courageous—moving forward in the best possible way.” Return to “A Tiny Miracle.”0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAbout one in four men and women in the United States have the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. It can also lead to several other types of cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat and anus. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can prevent it. The HPV vaccine has been available since 2006. Because there is no screening for most of the types of cancers that HPV causes, it’s important to prevent HPV before it becomes deadly. As the medical community learns more about how the vaccine works, we have learned that the immune system responds better when children receive it at a young age. We are also aware that many parents have concerns about the safety of the HPV vaccine. We want to reassure you that the HPV vaccine is safe. All vaccines used in the United States are required to go through extensive safety testing before the Food and Drug Administration licenses them. After they are in use, the FDA continually monitors these drugs for safety and effectiveness. There have been many studies to make sure the two vaccines that protect against HPV are safe. These studies have not uncovered any major safety concerns. Like any vaccine, the HPV vaccine can cause side effects, though many who receive the vaccine experience no side effects at all. Some of the most common side effects are soreness or redness at the site of the injection, fever and headache. Other vaccines for adolescents can cause the same side effects. Fainting can happen after many medical procedures, including vaccination. Fainting after getting a shot is more common among adolescents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tell the doctor or nurse if your child feels dizzy or light-headed. You may have seen stories circulate online that link the vaccine to infertility, seizures and chronic conditions. The data about the vaccine doesn’t support these claims. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. We recommend that all boys and girls who are 11 or 12 years old get two shots of HPV vaccine six to 12 months apart. Kids who receive their two shots less than five months apart will require a third dose of the vaccine. If your child is older than 14, he or she will need to receive three shots over a six-month period. The benefits of the HPV vaccination far outweigh any potential risks. Immunizing your child against HPV is a significant way to prevent multiple cancers later in life. Please talk to your pediatric provider about questions you have regarding effectiveness, safety, or timing of this important immunization.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLung cancer remains the most common cancer in the world. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women — about one out of four cancer deaths are from lung cancer. While a small number of people who have lung cancer have never smoked, the biggest risk factor is smoking. Other risk factors are having an immediate family member with lung cancer, and exposure to radon, asbestos, and other chemicals that are harmful to your lungs. If lung cancer is found early, before a person has any symptoms such as coughing up blood, chest pain, difficulty breathing or unexplained weight loss, there is a better chance of curing the disease. In the past, only 16 percent of lung cancers were found early and often by accident. That is changing quickly, thanks to the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! The NLST showed that having a low dose chest CT scan every year was more helpful than a chest x-ray in finding early lung cancers. Because of this, men and women between the ages of 55 and 80 who have a heavy smoking history, and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, are recommended to have a low dose chest CT scan. It is important to have the CT scan every year because lung cancer can develop at any time. We began our lung cancer screening program here at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) in 2012. For the past several years, we have worked hard to educate the public and medical providers on the importance of lung cancer screening. The biggest difficulty has been spreading the word about how important screening is for high risk people. As with any new test or treatment, it can take a while for both healthcare providers and community members to get used to the idea. To decrease your risk of lung cancer, the most important decision is to try to quit smoking. Those who have already quit have overcome a major hurdle. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to come together and stand up to the leading cancer killer. Join us in preventing a death by spreading the word to those who may be at risk. Lung cancer doesn’t have to claim so many lives. If you think you are at risk or know someone who is, talk to your doctor. You can also contact the AAMC Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. If you are making the decision to quit smoking, help is readily available. Contact AAMC’s smoking cessation program at 443-481-5366. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 6, 2017. Last updated Nov. 18, 2019.0
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re reading this at 3 am, scrolling for help on your phone while cradling a hungry babe in the other arm — you aren’t alone. First-time moms and seasoned pros alike can run into unfamiliar issues while breastfeeding and pumping. Here are some terms you might run into along the way. Talking about breastfeeding Clogged ducts A clogged milk duct — which develops as a small, tender lump on your breast — can result from a change in feeding schedule, a breast not draining fully or wearing tight clothing. Continuing to breastfeed will help it drain. Changing feeding positions, applying a warm washcloth and massaging can also help. Cluster feeding When your baby’s feeding sessions start to happen almost back-to-back, it’s called cluster feeding. Some babies seem to cluster feed before a growth spurt or in the evenings before a longer stretch of sleep at night. Colostrum When your baby is born, your breasts produce colostrum. This thick fluid is a kind of newborn “superfood” that contains the nutrients your baby needs and helps prevent infection. Over time, your breastmilk continues to adapt to your baby’s nutritional needs. Engorged Breasts As your milk comes in, you can quickly find yourself with too much of a good thing. If your milk production changes suddenly or you miss feedings, your breasts can become engorged or overfilled — sometimes painfully so. Warm showers and warm washcloths can reduce pressure before feedings. Foremilk and hindmilk Foremilk flows from your breast as your baby begins feeding, and it’s usually thinner than the higher-fat-content hindmilk that follows. Certain factors can affect the amount of foremilk vs. hindmilk your baby gets. But if your baby seems comfortable and has normal stools, they’re likely getting the right combination. Latch At the beginning of each feeding, it’s important to carefully line your baby’s jaw up to your breast to make a good connection. A proper latch helps your little one draw milk out safely and effectively, but it’s not always intuitive. Ask a lactation consultant for pointers if needed. Mastitis If your breast isn’t draining well enough, you can develop an infection called mastitis. If you notice swelling, burning or redness, or you have a fever or achy, flu-like symptoms, let your doctor, nurse or midwife know. You’ll need to take antibiotics, rest and keep breastfeeding to clear it up. Milk bleb Tiny, whitish spots on your nipple might be milk blebs or blisters caused by a latch that’s not quite right. These blisters usually go away on their own but can be painful. Keep the area clean and try to keep breastfeeding with good technique. A warm washcloth or gentle pressure can also help. If the area does not heal on its own, follow up with your provider. Thrush Thrush is a yeast fungus that often flares up in babies. A possible sign is white patches in your baby’s mouth and fussiness that makes feeding difficult. You and your baby will likely both need to be treated with antifungal medication for thrush since you can pass it back and forth. Pumping and bottle-feeding terms Duckbill Breast pump valves vary by shape. A duckbill valve — you guessed it — resembles a flat, wide duck bill. Some moms notice better suction or output from certain types of valves, so it’s worth experimenting if you’re looking for better results. Flange Flanges are a key part of your breast pump. Similar in shape to a funnel, flanges make a vacuum-style seal with your breasts so the pump can draw out milk. Choosing the right size flange for your nipple can help you avoid injury and get good results. Hand express Did you know you can express your breastmilk by hand, no pump needed? Hand expressing can help relieve engorged breasts, stimulate production or produce milk to feed your baby. It’s not a complicated process but it can feel tricky to get the hang of on your first go. How-to videos can help you perfect your technique. Paced bottle feeding Babies taking breastmilk or formula from a bottle sometimes eat too quickly or too much. Paced bottle feeding mimics the way your baby would feed from your breast. You can help your baby control the milk flow by using a small bottle with a slow-flow nipple and by holding it horizontally. Taking breaks every few swallows will also help your baby learn to eat at a slower, steadier pace. Supplementing The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding exclusively for your baby’s first four to six months. During this time, your provider will stay in close contact with you to offer support and help with any challenges you face. If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, your provider might refer you to a lactation consultant. These highly trained professionals can help you resolve any milk supply or latch issues. In some cases, they might also recommend supplementing your breast milk with formula. Breastfeeding and pumping are a wonderful — and sometimes messy — affair. It’s normal to have questions, and when you do, we’re here to help with all the support and resources you need. Author Mary “Ginny” Bowers, CNM, IBCLC, is a certified nurse-midwife and lactation consultant with Luminis Health Ob-Gyn. To make an appointment, call 410-820-0038.0
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