- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center has entered into a partnership with CipherHealth, a health care technology company committed to improving patient outcomes and experiences through enhanced communication and care team coordination. The partnership centers on supporting patients in their transition home. AAMC chose to adopt CipherHealth’s Voice Patient Communication Platform with the objective to effectively engage patients and their families. Following up with patients after discharge is a proven method to increase compliance, outcomes and satisfaction. AAMC’s project team worked closely with the CipherHealth team to ensure that the program addresses the following: Communication with patients in their preferred language Utilization of the right mode of engagement – call or text Personalization based on the patient’s condition and care needs If a patient indicates they need assistance when they receive a Voice call or text, an alert is automatically routed to the appropriate hospital staff, who is then able to call the patient back and address their concern. “AAMC has always invested considerable effort in effectively engaging patients. We believe that most often, it comes down to communicating with patients the right way and at the right time,” said Sarah Haas, manager of health care payment redesign programs at AAMC. “We are thrilled to work with AAMC on this exciting initiative to engage patients in the critical time following a procedure,” said Katie Mills, client success manager for CipherHealth. “AAMC’s dedication to their community by ensuring patient needs are addressed quickly, is exactly what our products aim to achieve.”0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, President and nurse Sherry Perkins praises today’s nurses for the incredible work they are doing. Today is the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the end of Nurses Week. The World Health Organization (WHO) named 2020 the Year of the Nurse in recognition of Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing. The WHO could not have predicted what nurses and their teammates would see this year with COVID-19, nor the new definitions of health care heroism. In a recent interview with the media about our nurses and the AAMC team, I was proud to tell our community, “They aren’t just heroes; they’re superheroes.” I am often asked to describe patient care; how to do that? In contemplating Nurses Week, I can think about important life events: emergency room visits, a parent in an ICU, the birth of a baby – a nurse is there with a team. A nurse is there knowing and caring, linking tenderness and mastery. Nurses know what it means for humans to be old, sick, weak, complex, and vulnerable. Nurses know how to prevent and treat infections, manage pain, teach, rescue, heal, console, and see problems before they occur. Nightingale was quoted as saying, “Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it.” On my first day of work less than four months ago, I described the AAMC team this way – “the unique mixture of science and caring…progressive expertise of our physicians, the dedication of our nurses, the excellence of our interprofessional clinical support partners, the acumen of our leadership and administrative team, the compassion of our auxilians and volunteers, the devotion of our patient and family advisors, and the governance of our board.” Each of you makes AAMC a unique place for our patients and our community. Even more I am awed by what a team you are. Florence Nightingale would be proud. I know I am. Thank you for what you do for each other and for our patients and families.0
- Cancer Care, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“What next?” I hear that question often from cancer survivors when they finish their last treatment. From diagnosis to the end of treatment, most cancer patients are on autopilot. They focus on doctor visits, test results, chemotherapy or radiation, and perhaps surgery recovery. It’s a whirlwind of events –until it’s over. Whether a patient is deemed cancer-free or in remission after treatment, the cancer journey comes to an abrupt stop and a new journey begins: cancer survivorship. What should be a joyous, hopeful and celebratory time often leaves patients feeling lonely and afraid. Care and support for cancer survivors doesn’t have to end when treatment does. For example, our Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute offers programs and support to help survivors manage their unique needs and challenges after cancer treatment. The goal is to help all survivors thrive beyond their cancer diagnosis and enjoy a high quality of life. A survivorship program should include: A survivorship visit. Each patient should receive an individually tailored document with a summary of their diagnosis, test results, specific information about their treatments and the possible late and long-term effects of treatment. A care plan. Also tailored for each survivor, the care plan guides patients to live healthier which empowers them to self-manage their quality of life. Counseling. Based on each person’s own needs, there are many counseling options available including nutrition counseling, psychosocial support/counseling, spiritual counseling, financial counseling, genetic counseling, sexuality counseling and smoking cessation. Lifestyle recommendations to thrive. Survivors should be encouraged to adjust their eating habits to more plant-based food choices, rather than meat. Dietary changes, along with regular activity, exercise and healthy weight management, may reduce risk of the same cancer returning, or a new cancer developing. READ MORE: How to navigate cancer survivorship In addition to a comprehensive survivorship program, there are other steps cancer survivors can take after treatment ends. If you’re a cancer survivor, here are five ways you can thrive. Share your story. Whether you do this by talking in casual conversations, writing your story on a blog or even speaking at an event, sharing your story can help you reflect on your cancer journey and help you see how far you’ve come. It can also inspire others and give them hope. Get involved. Join the community of people who are working to conquer cancer. There are plenty of walks, runs and other events that support the fight against cancer. Be active. Studies show that exercise helps improve many different bodily functions, and can even decrease your risk of certain cancers. Make it fun! Ask your friends to join you on a walk, try a yoga class or even take simple stretching breaks during the day. Try a new hobby. You’ve likely been spending most of your time and energy on completing cancer treatment. Now that you’ve conquered cancer, you can take on anything! Add a furry friend to your family. If you’ve been thinking about getting a pet, now’s the time. There’s nothing like the healing power and companionship of a dog or cat. Author Madelaine Binner is an oncology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published May 31, 2016. Last updated May 7, 2019.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought many changes to our lives, including our eating habits. Today, frequent trips to the grocery store are not practical or encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend keeping enough nutritious foods in the house that will last for up to two weeks. As such, we may need to take a closer look at what we have on our shopping list and perhaps broaden our horizons with new ways to meet our nutritional needs. There are, however, a few obstacles that make this challenging. For example, you might have to accommodate shrinking household income, consider timing of when to go to the store or work with the limited options of food staples. The following are guidelines to help direct what selections you can make to keep the essentials in your home while keeping costs to a minimum. Stock your pantry First, think about how many people you are shopping for and purchase only what you need to leave some for others, too. Plan for a variety of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Because not all stores will have everything you’re looking for, keep your list flexible. Vegetables: Look for produce that has a longer shelf life, such as broccoli, carrots, celery, onions, leeks, potatoes and cauliflower. If they are out of broccoli, look for other alternatives, such as brussel sprouts or zucchini. Frozen vegetable mixes will help carry you through the two weeks, along with canned diced tomatoes. Fruits: Consider dried fruits, canned fruits packed in juices or water, and fresh fruit packaged in bags such as apples, oranges and kiwi. Beans and protein: Chickpeas, lentils and legumes are healthy options, especially with the meat shortage and likely higher prices for meat. Also consider frozen fish or tuna, salmon and chicken in cans as sources of protein. Other affordable and nutritious options include nut butters and eggs. Starches: These include shelf-stable options such as whole grain rice, pasta and quinoa. Condiments: If you like flavoring your food, some affordable recipe additives include plain nonfat yogurt, soy sauce, broths, spices, vinegars, olive oil and mustard. Dairy foods: Flavored Greek yogurts and plain nonfat yogurt is a great substitute in recipes for sour cream or cream cheese. If the milk refrigerators are bare, shelf-stable dry milk is also an option. Reconsider your options Whether it’s about recipe substitutions or how to get your groceries, there are alternative options out there for you to consider. Don’t know what to do with your leftovers? Use them with what is on hand in other recipes. For example, put dried tomatoes in salads with pine nuts, cranberries in tuna, nuts and raisins in oatmeal. You can get creative when making soups by adding leftovers and using vegetable or chicken broth as a substitute. Think beyond your usual recipe ingredients. If you are making enchiladas and do not have peppers, add zucchini, olives, black beans and taco sauce. Worried about going to the grocery store? Explore your shopping options. If going to the store causes you anxiety, consider purchasing food from places that have delivery options. The fees are reasonable and keep you off the frontlines, especially if you are in a high-risk group. If transportation is not a problem, curbside pick-up can also be an option. Don’t forget that many stores also have special shopping hours for older Americans. While everyone is at home together, consider sharing the cooking responsibilities. Try new dishes or, if you prefer, stick to simple items or familiar foods and tastes that provide you comfort. Plan what works for you and your family. By purchasing a mix of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items, you can create a healthy balanced diet that satisfies both food cravings and budget concerns. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogColorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, and cause of death from cancer, in the United States. According to a recent study by the American Cancer Society, the rate of colorectal cancers, located in the colon or rectum, is on the rise for people under 50. But despite that trend, experts project almost 60 percent of new diagnoses in 2017 will be for those 65 years old and up. March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. A good time to remember that colorectal cancer can be prevented by detecting precancerous polyps, which are small, abnormal growths in the colon. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. Many people have no symptoms of early colorectal cancer. Screenings are important because they can detect cancer at an early, curable stage. Studies show a lower death rate from colorectal cancer among people who get screened compared to those who do not. You have several screening options — the most effective one is the one you will follow through with. Fecal Screening Tests Fecal screening tests can find tiny amounts of blood in stool that can either be a sign of large polyps or cancer. Your health care provider will determine if you need this screening every year or every two years. You can take these types of tests at home with a kit and instructions from your doctor’s office. If your results are positive, you will need to follow up with a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy Many studies show the rate of cancer death is 68 to 88 percent lower for people who have a colonoscopy compared to those who do not. This is because experts can remove polyps during the colonoscopy, before polyps can become cancerous. A polyp is considered a pre-cancerous lesion. Removing them is a primary prevention strategy. This screening can also detect cancer in an early, curable stage. CT Colonography A CT Colonography is a procedure using imaging or x-rays to produce a detailed image of the colon and rectum. A CT Colonography can be effective in detecting raised polyps. However, this type of screening is not as good as a colonoscopy for detecting flat polyps, which are harder to recognize. Also, with CT Colonography, if a polyp is discovered it cannot be removed right then. You will need a colonoscopy to remove the polyp. Blood-Based Tests The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a blood-based colorectal cancer screening test. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the long-term benefit of this screening tool. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends you start getting screened when you turn 50 if you are at average risk for colorectal cancer. The guidelines suggest a stool test annually or every three years, or a colonoscopy every 10 years, or a CT Colonography every five years. If you are between 76 and 85 years old, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of screening. You should stop screening after 85 years of age. The task force recommends earlier and more frequent screening if you’re high risk. If you have a direct relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer before 60 years of age, you should have a colonoscopy when you turn 40, or when you’re 10 years younger than the relative’s age when they were diagnosed. Whichever is earlier. There is no “best” strategy for colorectal cancer screening. The best test to screen for colon cancer is the test you can complete consistently. Author Naeem Newman, MD, is a surgical oncologist at AAMC Surgical Oncology. Originally published March 21, 2017. Last updated March 13, 2019.0
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