- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNothing puts a damper on summer fun like an unexpected trip to the doctor or emergency room. But with a little bit of planning and making yourself aware of issues that can creep up as temperatures rise, you’ll help ensure a safe and healthy summer for you and your family. Whether you’re at home or on the go, having a summer safety kit handy can help you be prepared for unexpected emergencies. What’s something to always have on hand? Water! One of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer is heat illness. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should get immediate medical care: Severe thirst Nausea Fast and shallow breathing Headache Cool, clammy skin You can prevent heat exhaustion by being proactive about making sure your child stays hydrated. Have them drink cool water or sports drinks early and often. If they’re going out to play or to a sports practice, make sure they’re fully hydrated before leaving and then make sure they take regular breaks to drink—even if they aren’t thirsty. READ MORE: Summer travel tips: See your doctor and plan ahead Besides refillable water bottles, what else should your kit include? Hand sanitizer to clean your hands before providing first-aid Antiseptic wipes to clean scrapes and cut Cotton balls, plus multi-sized band-aids, gauze and adhesive tape Antibacterial cream, like Neosporin, to prevent infection Bug repellant containing DEET or picaridin to prevent bites Tweezers for splinters and removing ticks Plastic gloves for removing a tick or handling poison ivy Small plastic bag for keeping a tick removed for identification Hydrocortisone cream for rashes and bug bites Instant ice packs for inflammation Saline solution to clean out eyes Sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent burns Aloe Vera gel to soothe sunburn Small doses of over-the-counter medications—children’s versions when appropriate—such as Tylenol, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol and Dramamine, or their generic equivalents. Thermometer Healthy snack items to refuel your kids on the go, including non-perishable items like trail mix, nuts or granola bars. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges or grapes are great options, too, but since they’re perishable they should be added to your kit the day you’ll use them. Cell phone to use if needed, preprogrammed with doctor contact and health insurance information; also handy to take photos of a plant you may suspect of being poison ivy or an unusual insect or snake that bites a member of your family. You should also consider the items that are specific to your family needs such as baby wipes, allergy and asthma medications, or an Epi-Pen. Keep your kit stored somewhere convenient but always out of the reach of young children. When you’re toting your on-the-go kit, make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating the medications inside. Finally, be aware of any heat or air quality advisories and adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. If your child must be outside during a heat advisory, you should be extra vigilant. Also, if you plan to swim in a local river or the Bay, don’t do so within 48 hours of a heavy rain (1/2 inch or more) and check to see if there are additional water-quality advisories for that body of water. Author Michelle Skinner, DO, is a family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Waugh Chapel Pavilion. You can reach her office at 410-721-1507. Originally published May 29, 2015. Last updated June 10, 2019.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogU.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) as a 2022-2023 High Performing hospital for six procedures and conditions. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings. The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. LHDCMC earned High Performing ratings for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, kidney failure, pneumonia, and stroke, in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. “We are honored to receive this recognition from U.S. News & World Report,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “These achievements demonstrate the unwavering dedication of our team members to deliver the best care to patients and the communities we’ve served for nearly 50 years. With our new behavioral health facility about to open, this award reaffirms our commitment to find innovative ways to improve the health and well-being of our residents.” For the 2022-2023 Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Fewer than half of all hospitals received any High Performing rating, and only four earned this rating in all procedures and conditions. State and metro area rankings reflect the highest performing hospitals in the area across multiple areas of care. “When patients are considering their options for care, the Best Hospitals ratings are designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in the kind of care they may need,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “A hospital that’s earned a High Performing rating in a service may be a good option for patients in need of that service and their medical professionals to consider.” The U.S. News Procedures & Conditions methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality such as survival rates, patient experience, and how successfully each hospital helps patients get back home. For more information, visit Best Hospitals.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) announced the grand opening of its new Specialty Physicians Suite–Annapolis. Located on the fifth floor of the AAMC Belcher Pavilion, the Specialty Physicians Suite will house Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists, AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, AAMG Neurology Specialists, AAMG Neuropsychology Specialists and AAMG Palliative Medicine Specialists. Mitch Schwartz, MD, chief medical officer at AAMC, says bringing these multispecialty doctors, nurses and skilled care teams under one roof is part of AAMC’s continuous efforts to better integrate and coordinate patient care. “Patients will have the benefit of better communication between doctors, easy appointment scheduling and seamless medical record sharing between specialties. Our focus is on our patients and creating the best health care experience possible,” says Dr. Schwartz. Barbara Onumah, MD, of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, says both patients and providers benefit from having all the care teams in a single location. “The environment will encourage collaboration between providers in different subspecialties. This will lead to better coordination of care and testing and improved patient outcomes,” she says. Patients visiting AAMC’s Specialty Physicians Suite will have the ability to get referrals and consultations on the spot, as well as save time scheduling appointments with specialists who can meet a spectrum of health care needs. Dr. Onumah explains how this works, specifically as it relates to patients with diabetes. “People with diabetes are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Adults with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or stroke than adults without diabetes. Patients seeing an endocrine specialist within the Specialty Physicians Suite will have a ‘one stop shop,’” she says. To schedule an appointment with any of the practices located in the Specialty Physicians Suite—Annapolis call 443-481-6700.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHere’s an age-old truth: Maryland’s population is aging slightly faster than the rest of the country, meaning more families here are navigating the complexities of caring for older loved ones. At Luminis Health, we are committed to Age-Friendly Care—an approach that centers on what matters most to older adults and their families. We follow the nationally recognized 4M’s framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. What is Asymptomatic Bacteriuria? One important topic that can be tough to talk about and causes confusion is asymptomatic bacteriuria. This happens when bacteria are found in the urine, but there are no symptoms of infection. This condition is very common in older adults, especially women after menopause, when lower estrogen levels reduce protective bacteria. Unfortunately, asymptomatic bacteriuria is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI), leading to unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics. Here’s what you should know about asymptomatic bacteriuria: It’s not a UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is different from an infection. A positive urine culture or high white blood cell count doesn’t always mean antibiotics are needed. It does not cause confusion, falls, or weakness. If your loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it could possibly be dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or medications. Antibiotics are often unnecessary and can be harmful. Overuse of antibiotics offers no benefit in treating this condition and can increase risks of diarrhea, colitis, allergic reactions, drug interactions, and dangerous drug-resistant infections and worse. There are safer alternatives. Good daily hygiene with perineal cleaning, vaginal creams, and probiotics can help restore protective bacteria and pH without the risks of antibiotics. So, when do antibiotics make sense? Only when your care provider carefully assesses symptoms, reviews medical history, and determines there are true signs of infection. This is where the 4M’s guide our patient-centered care. The 4M's to Patient-Centered Care What Matters Listening to patients and families about their goals, comfort, and preferences. Medication Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics that can do more harm than good. Mentation Recognizing that confusion in older adults has many causes, not just bacteria in the urine. Mobility Helping older adults stay active and safe, instead of sidelined by side effects from inappropriate treatment. By following this evidence-based approach, we ensure older adults get the right care at the right time—protecting their health, independence, and quality of life. Age-Friendly Care Luminis Health is committed to championing Age-Friendly Care for our community. We’re proud that Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis is one of only five hospitals nationwide recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Pioneer by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham, along with our primary care practices, have earned the Age-Friendly Healthy System Level 2 – Committed to Care Excellence designation. As Maryland continues to age ahead of the national curve, these conversations matter more than ever—for our parents, grandparents, and all of us who love them. View and share our flyer about antibiotics for elder women, which is also available in Spanish. Authors Mary Clance, MD MPH is a Hospital Epidemiologist at Luminis Health.0
- Heart Care, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne small act can make a big difference. We invite you to join Anne Arundel Medical Center in our week-long celebration of kindness as we put our hearts in motion for Random Acts of Kindness week, Feb. 12-18, 2017. Studies have shown that being kind and doing kind acts for others can benefit your heart, reduce anxiety and lower your blood pressure. Download our free, printable kindness cards to start your own chain reaction of good deeds. Need some ideas to get you started? Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger. Leave a special treat on a friend or co-worker’s desk. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter. Surprise a neighbor with dinner. Send a card to someone who deserves more recognition. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford. Share your stories and see what others are doing on Facebook using #AAMCHeartsInMotion. One of the best Random Acts of Kindness you can do is encourage everyone to know their “heart age” and risk of heart disease. Take our free, online heart health profiler at AskAAMC.org/Heart.0
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