- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen you hear the words “information systems,” the first thing you probably envision is the basement of Wayson Pavilion. A space filled with computers, boxes piled on top of each other and the sound of incessant typing and clicking as our team of techs work on solving the next work ticket in queue. You probably also hear a steady hum of chatter as they talk into their headpieces assisting callers with questions or problems. All of these mental pictures are correct. Throw in there some numbers, a couple of emails and mix it with dedication, passion and commitment. “What folks don’t see behind the scenes is that we’re all champions,” says Monica Creek, systems analyst and September Champion Award winner. “Our world in IS goes beyond just sitting at a desk and looking at a computer. We have to figure out the best ways to make life easier, make things more meaningful and make the patient experience much easier when they come in the door.” Before joining Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), Monica was training as a medical assistant in Arlington, Va. She also trained as a nursing assistant, but that venture didn’t last too long. “I went for my first clinical procedure where I had to demonstrate certain competencies,” she recalls. “While I was doing an incision and drainage with a patient, he started to scream and I started to get butterflies in my stomach. That’s when the physician there with me confirmed I was not going to be a nurse.” Today she laughs about it and is grateful for the experience. Her medical field experience, paired with her love for administrative tasks and analytical thinking, are skills that have led Monica to find her dream job. After getting tired of hours spent commuting, Monica decided it was time to move closer to home and look for new opportunities. Shortly after applying to AAMC, she received a call and, ultimately, the position. “I understand the concept of day-to-day patient care, though I’m not a nurse,” she says. “Sometimes that clinical aspect helps me make the picture more real for the other analysts I work.” The analytics world is not only about data. Monica and her team use analytics to solve all sorts of problems, whether it’s improving discharge turnaround times so patients can leave the hospital and go home in a timely fashion or making workflows more meaningful for staff. “Being a system analyst can be very challenging because you need to understand operationally the application you support as well as the lives of our caregivers,” Monica says. “Coming back every day to keep trying to solve issues is what brings me the greatest joy in what I do. Health care is very complex and there’s never one solution for every single thing. I enjoy coming to work knowing that we still have to work on this and that it’s not about applying a Band-Aid to a situation.” Pro tip: “Jump at every moment that comes your way. Try it and, if you don’t like it, take ‘door number two.’ I’m a single mom and I teach that to my children every single day. Don’t get caught up in what went wrong, think about how you can make things better. That’s my philosophy. Who cares if we made a mistake? If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t be here.” If you know a great individual or a fantastic team going above and beyond to make a difference, make sure to let us know! Looking for a career in health care? We invite you to join a diverse and collaborative team of professionals working together to innovate the future of health care for our entire region. Check out our career opportunities.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, routine screening can reduce the number of people who die from colorectal cancer by at least sixty percent—and that’s just one type of screening. Whether it’s blood sugar for diabetes, mammograms for breast cancer or even monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol for heart disease, screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. We refresh and renew our homes like clockwork when spring arrives, but what if we spring clean our health in the same way? A checkup with your primary care provider can help you learn what screenings and tests you might need and when you need them. Screenings help spot problems early, when treatment may be easier and more effective. So, which screenings are for you? Depending on your age, family history, health and risk factors, women may benefit from routine screening for: Cholesterol. Healthy adults should have their cholesterol tested at least every four to six years since high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. Blood pressure. This should be checked at least once every two years since high blood pressure increases risks of heart and kidney disease and stroke. Breast and cervical cancers. Your age and health history determine how often women need tests, like mammograms and PAP tests, that screen for breast and cervical cancers. Sexually transmitted infections. If you’re sexually active and have risk factors, it is important to be screened for sexually transmitted infections. Diabetes. If you have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication, you should get screened for diabetes. Colorectal cancer. Most adults should have their first exam at age 50. Your provider can guide you as to which of several available tests is right for you. Osteoporosis. Women should have a bone density scan at least once beginning at age 65. There’s a lot of varying information out there that really does depend on your family history and risk factors. It’s usually best—and you’ll likely feel more comfortable—if you develop an honest, open relationship with your primary care provider as your health partner, so you know what tests are needed and which are not. Remember, it’s a great time for spring cleaning AND spring screenings. Author Schedule your appointment with a primary care provider today and take the first step toward better health.0
- Men's Health, News & Press Releases, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAt Anne Arundel Medical Center, we’re fortunate to have a team of medical experts dedicated to sharing important tips on how you can live your healthiest life! In honor of National Doctors’ Day, we’re revisiting our top five most popular stories of the past year written by our physicians. The heart truth about dark chocolate and red wine. Is dark chocolate really a heart-healthy treat? Can red wine be good for your health? Cardiologist Barbara Hutchinson, MD, answers these questions and more in this story breaking down the benefits of these popular treats. Love, health and relationships: The surprising benefits of being in love. Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist with AAMG Cardiology Specialists, discusses how being in love has tangible health benefits for both your body and your mind. Your go-to guide for signs and symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder. One in four women over 20 suffer from a pelvic floor disorder (PFD). Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, describes the signs of a PFD and your treatment options. As a heart doctor, I have to practice what I preach. “When I took a new position several years ago, my focus was on my career and the challenges of a new work environment,” writes Salvatore Lauria, MD, cardiologist with AAMG Cardiology Specialists. “Like many people, I used food to help manage my stress. I made all the usual excuses but eventually realized that I needed to practice what I preached.” He shares his tips on how he lost 13 percent of his body weight in just a few months. The 6 most important things you can do for your health. Your health habits and behaviors are what determines 40 percent of your health, says Scott Eden, MD, primary care doctor with AAMG Chesapeake Family Medicine. Read more about what he says are the top six most important things you should be doing for good health. We wish all of our doctors a happy Doctors’ Day! Thank you for all you to do to care for our community. Looking for a provider? Search our Find A Doc directory and find one who is right for you and your family.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSince last spring, we’ve been wearing face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s a key part of the 3Ws: Wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance. At this point, you’ve probably built up a large collection of cloth masks for you and your family. But how do you know when they’re past their prime? Here are a few clues that it’s time to toss them. The straps are worn out. Take note whether the straps, or ear loops, on your mask appear to be stretched out. To be effective, masks should fit tightly against your face. And if the straps are loose, the mask will be, too. The mask doesn’t fit properly. Again, the fit should be snug. If the fabric is sagging and loose, it’s not offering the proper protection. You should replace any masks that hang or slide down below your nose with ones that stay in place. There are holes in the mask. If your mask is ripped or torn, get rid of it. One way to check it quickly is to hold it up to the light. If you see breaks of light in the material, throw it away and get a new one. It’s stained or dirty, even after you wash it. That’s a clear sign that the mask has outlived its usefulness. Masks can absorb makeup and skin oils – which means they aren’t effectively filtering out contaminants. Change disposable medical masks daily. How to Wash Your Masks the Right Way Just as it’s important to wash your hands the right way, you also have to make sure you’re washing your cloth masks the right way. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says you should wash your mask after each wear. If you want to throw them in the washing machine, you can mix it in with your other laundry, use regular laundry detergent and follow the instructions on the mask’s label. If you’re washing the mask by hand, use warm tap water and laundry detergent or soap, and rinse thoroughly. You can either dry your mask in the dryer on a warm or hot setting, or hang it to dry. Put it in direct sunlight if you can. The CDC recommends storing wet or dirty masks in plastic bags until you can wash them. Wet masks don’t work as well as dry masks, and they can be hard to breathe through. Always wash or sanitize your mask after you take it off – and before you put it back on again. Author Jean Murray is system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Luminis Health.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany of us developed less-than-healthy habits in 2020. And even though last year is now in our rearview (whew!), we’ve likely brought some stress and anxiety into the new year that we’d like to leave behind. A great way to welcome 2021 is with a commitment to wellness and making choices that lead you toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Sound overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. Remember, even small steps move you forward. Make mindfulness your first step Practicing mindfulness is a great start to boosting wellness. But what is mindfulness? Think of it as being aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the present moment, without passing judgment. Because mindfulness is about paying attention to experiences with curiosity and openness, it offers an objective way to notice habits and determine which ones you want to change and maintain. Studies link mindfulness to a host of benefits, reducing: Anxiety Depression High blood pressure (hypertension) Insomnia Pain Stress You can practice mindfulness in everyday life using these tips: Meditate Mindfulness and meditation are often used interchangeably. Meditation is actually a formal way to practice mindfulness. Meditation trains your mind to focus on a single task and stay aware of the present moment. Meditation doesn’t require special equipment or in-depth training. It’s simple, but not necessarily easy, thanks to the 6,000 thoughts that researchers estimate vie for your attention every day. But carving out as little as five minutes a day to practice will train your mind to focus. Try this simple approach: Take a seat – a chair, on the floor, at your desk – wherever you’re comfortable. With eyes closed or gazing downward, focus on one specific thing. Make it simple – a phrase, your hands resting on your legs, your breath coming in your nose and out your mouth, or how your belly rises and falls as you breathe. Notice when your mind wanders (because it will, repeatedly). When it does, make no judgment about your thoughts, let them go and return to your focus. That’s it. Eat slowly and make it the good stuff Be mindful about what and how you eat. Nourish yourself with fresh, whole foods, locally sourced when possible. Go for colorful fruits and vegetables packed with nutrients. Sit down for each meal, putting your fork down after every bite. Savor the smell, taste and texture of your food and take a moment to appreciate the effort that went into making it. Give single tasks your full attention Multitasking feels like a necessity to keep up in a busy world. Catching up on email while you’re on a Zoom call. Folding laundry while drilling your daughter on spelling words. Scrolling through Facebook during dinner. You may feel like you’re accomplishing more by combining tasks, but research reveals we lose the ability to focus as we multitask. Dividing attention between multiple tasks actually reduces productivity. Practice mindfulness throughout the day, giving your full awareness to one task at a time, even everyday tasks like brushing your teeth, making the bed and driving home from work. Listen Give people and conversations the courtesy of your full attention and you’ll both benefit. Who doesn’t like knowing they’re heard? Mindfulness impacts how you interact. Eye contact, nodding, smiling and asking questions signal your focus is on them. Mindfulness helps build relationships, an important component of wellness. Pay attention to your environment Sprinkle mindful moments throughout the day and take in your surroundings, wherever you are. Think about the warmth of the sun on your arm. Feel the chill of the early morning air as it hits your nostrils. Listen to your heels hit the wooden floor as you walk down the hallway. Every mindful moment is time for your body to relax. Practice gratitude Take the opportunity to say “thanks” when you can. Notice what you’re really grateful for and how that gratitude feels. Make a practice of beginning or ending (or both!) each day by writing down five things you’re thankful for. Research shows that feeling and expressing gratitude not only boosts your physical and mental health, but it also strengthens relationships, too. Mindfulness puts you in control Mindfulness takes back control from thoughts that we too often let run the show: Those that lead us to worry about things we can’t control. Like most habits that are good for us, mindfulness reaps more benefits the more you practice it. Whether you incorporate the practice throughout your day or take a five-minute break to focus on your breath, you’ll find yourself in better control of emotions and less reactive to stressful situations. Author Cindy Radovic, MA, BSN-BC, is clinical director of Emergency and Inpatient Mental Health Services at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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