- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is proud to announce a new accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). LHAAMC’s Institute for Healthy Aging has achieved the bronze standard (level 3) accreditation from the ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) Program. Leaders in emergency medicine developed GEDA to ensure that older patients receive well-coordinated, quality care at the appropriate level at every emergency department encounter. “It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts to ensure all care throughout Luminis Health is aligned with best practices for older adults,” says Lil Banchero MSN, RN, the senior director for the Institute for Healthy Aging.0
- Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPlanning for a mastectomy can lead some women to worry about looking scarred or uneven after surgery. The good news is that breast reconstruction has come a long way over the years. Not only can women receive breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, the options give women the opportunity to feel the same or even better than they did before. Derek L. Masden, MD, chief of Plastic Surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), answers a few common questions. Can I have breast reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy? Yes, you can have them at the same time. A few years ago, you would have had to come back after the mastectomy for final reconstructive surgery. Today, you can have everything taken care of at one time. This means one trip to the operating room, one trip home and one recovery period. What are flap procedures? A flap procedure is when tissue from other parts of your body, such as the abdomen or back, is used to rebuild the shape of your breast. This is often considered more natural-feeling than implants. Keep in mind that these newly reconstructed breasts tend to age the same way as natural breast. If radiation treatment is part of my plan, should I have the surgery before or after radiation? That depends on the type of reconstruction. If you plan to have implants, I recommend getting radiation after the placement of the final implant. If you plan to have a flap procedure, I recommend that you undergo radiation prior to your flap. What are the risks? There are some risks that come with any surgery, such as bleeding, infection, and poor healing. With the flap procedure, there is a chance that the flap will not work and you may experience complications such as wound healing at both the donor (i.e.: tummy or back) and reconstruction (breast) site. For those who choose implants, there is a chance the implant could become infected or need to be removed. The vast majority of women who choose reconstructive surgery will not experience these situations, but it is always important to understand any potential complications. What results should I expect? My goal when performing reconstructive surgery is to give the patient an opportunity to feel and look like themselves after cancer treatment. Many women of all ages choose reconstructive surgery because it makes them feel complete. In some cases, women who have always considered implants will get implants during reconstructive surgery. For those who have always thought about a reduction, I can perform a reduction that will reduce chronic neck and back pain. The bottom line is, if you need a mastectomy, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your reconstructive options so you can make the decision that will give you the best possible outcome. Authors Derek L. Masden, MD, is the chief of Plastic Surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. To make an appointment with him, please call (443) 481-3400.0
- Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs COVID cases in children continue to rise — and the delta variant continues to spread — health experts are cheering on the latest vaccine developments, including the possibility of a lower-dose vaccine that may be ready for kids age five to 11 in a matter of weeks. Aside from getting us one step closer to stopping the unprecedented spread of the virus, there’s no question what it will also mean when it comes to keeping our kiddos in school. But what should you know as a parent? How COVID affects kids At the beginning of the pandemic, it seemed children didn’t get COVID as much as adults. However, over time, the number of kids infected has risen sharply. In fact, children now account for about a quarter of the weekly reported cases in the U.S., according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Most cases in kids are mild. But researchers are still studying how the virus could affect their long-term health. And with children in schools, sports, extracurricular and social activities, getting them vaccinated could go a long way in helping slow outbreaks of the virus in the community, reduce sick days from illness and days out of school exposure to COVID. How the vaccine works Vaccines are already available for children 12 and over. However, clinical trials were needed for those under the age of 12 to 5 years of age to ensure they’ll be safe and effective for younger kids, whose bodies work differently. A recent announcement from Pfizer explains that their vaccine for younger kids uses a smaller dose than the vaccine for adults and teens (10 micrograms compared to 30 micrograms), given 21 days apart. Their trial showed that kids had a strong immune response on par with those in the 16 to 25 age group after getting their second dose. They also had similar side effects, which were mild. The Pfizer trial included more than 2,000 children. Both vaccines must now go through a review process from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before being given to the public. And health officials have been eager for this to happen, especially with the latest Delta variant statistics. There’s also good news for parents of children under five who are waiting for a vaccine for their little ones. Researchers say it could be ready for our youngest set of kids later this year. When your child can get it We expect final approval for the vaccine for kids age five to 11 in the coming weeks. And officials are hopeful that children could start getting their shots as early as Halloween. Where to find help if you need it Vaccines are our best shot at ending the pandemic and getting back to freely enjoying time with our friends and families. Making sure your family gets vaccinated puts us one step closer to reaching that goal. And while that seems easy, these are stressful and uncertain times. It’s normal to have questions, and we always want to make sure you find all the information you need to feel comfortable with your health decisions. Your child’s pediatrician is a great place to start. You can also visit our FAQs at any time for help with general vaccine information. Let’s put an end to the spread — together. Authors Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Asha Payne, MD, is medical director of the Children’s National Emergency Department at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Community, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTwo shots at once? Last year, we had a very mild flu season: A combination of stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, travel restrictions, and other COVID-19 control measures kept flu cases at bay. In fact, there was a 98% decrease in the number of hospitalizations between Oct. 1, 2020 and Jan. 30, 2021 compared to the same time the previous year. That seems like a good thing, right? While it certainly helped get us through an already difficult time, it may have done us a disservice for this upcoming season. You see, every time we’re exposed to the flu virus, our bodies get a little better fighting it off. But because so many of us didn’t get sick last season, we’re left a little more vulnerable to the flu than in years past. And researchers believe we’re likely in for a rough flu season – on top of new COVID-19 variants that continue to spread rapidly through our communities. The solution? Get your flu shot. Even better: Get your COVID-19 vaccine (or booster) at the same time. It’s safe, effective and convenient. The history of the flu shot Vaccinations against the seasonal flu first became widespread in the U.S. in 1945 – nearly 12 years after the influenza virus had been identified and 27 years since the Spanish Flu swept across the country. Those vaccinations continue to save lives and prevent serious complications. In 2019-2020 alone, the flu vaccine prevented: 52 million influenza illnesses 69 million doctor’s visits 105,000 hospitalizations 6,300 deaths If you’re still on the fence about a flu shot, consider: Experts are concerned this flu season could be particularly bad. Natural immunity may be down. Mask mandates and most travel restrictions have been lifted. School and workplaces are shifting back to in-person hours. This combination could lead to an especially busy flu season for health systems already caring for many COVID-19 patients. Flu shots are safe and effective. The numbers alone tell the story of how effective flu is at preventing serious illness. The most common side effects — a sore arm and tenderness at the injection site — are worth getting an illness that can cause symptoms for a week or longer. Most individuals are eligible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that almost everyone, ages six months and older, receive an annual flu vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe The flu vaccine isn’t the only one to consider this fall. If you’ve been hesitant to get a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s okay. Here are a few reasons you can be confident that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and very effective at preventing serious illness: 185 million individuals have been vaccinated in the U.S. (a number continues to climb every day). Serious side effects have been very rare, and research continues to prove the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. 34 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given around the world. As more countries and individuals have access to vaccine, that will grow even more. The COVID-19 vaccines are effective. Vaccines effectiveness among adults without immunocompromised conditions ranged from 93% to 71%. Those numbers are significant, consider one study found that the flu shot reduced the risk of hospitalization by 41% in a primarily older population. Save time. Get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at once. No one likes the idea of getting one shot, let alone two. So why not get it all over with at the same time? After all, the CDC suggests that getting a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time is perfectly safe. You may have two arms sore instead of one, but in just one trip you can be on your way to staying healthy and strong this flu season. Still, we know it can feel overwhelming to navigate the latest information when it comes to COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. Know that your medical provider and we’re here – right by your side – to guide you to answers, reassurance and peace of mind for your good health. Authors Jean Murray, is director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health has earned the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) 2021 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition. Luminis Health is being honored for applying core and advanced technologies into its clinical and business programs to improve health and care in the communities it serves. “The pandemic has served as a catalyst for technological improvements in healthcare,” said Saad Chaudhry, chief information officer for Luminis Health. “Our teams have risen to the challenge and have done amazing work the past two years, from improving our systems posture with new innovations, to technology infrastructure and cybersecurity. We are on a journey to transform the patient experience while creating efficiencies for our workforce, and this recognition (from CHIME) is proof of our progress.” “Digital transformation in healthcare has accelerated to an unprecedented level since 2020, and the next few years will bring a wave of innovation that empowers healthcare consumers and will astound the industry,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “The Digital Health Most Wired program recognizes the outstanding digital leaders who have paved the way for this imminent revolution in healthcare. Their trailblazing commitment to rapid transformation has set an example for the entire industry in how to pursue a leadership vision with determination, brilliant planning and courage to overcome all challenges.” The 2021 Digital Health Most Wired program includes four separate surveys: acute, ambulatory, long-term care and international acute. The surveys assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in healthcare organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading. Participants received certification based on their overall performance, with level 10 being the highest.0
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