- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou can’t turn on the news or scroll through social media today without hearing about the COVID-19 vaccine. And while we know you’re anxious to put the pandemic behind you, we also know you may have lingering questions about the vaccine. You aren’t alone. Many of your coworkers, family members and neighbors are wrestling with the same questions. We’ve never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude in our lifetimes, and we’ve never seen a vaccine developed this quickly. But investigating the details and unpacking what we know about the vaccine can go a long way in helping you feel more at ease. It’s important to know that multiple COVID-19 vaccines are under development. At this time, Pfizer and Moderna are the only vaccines available in the United States. They are the only COVID-19 vaccines that have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fast doesn’t mean careless. It’s true; this vaccine is one of the fastest developed in modern history. But researchers were not starting from scratch when they learned about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Technology associated with the mRNA vaccine dates back to the 1990s. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), researchers performed early stage clinical trials using mRNA vaccines for HIV, influenza, Zika, rabies, and others. Unfortunately, it has taken a pandemic to get the needed funding to push this technology forward to develop this type of vaccine. It’s also important to note the process has been able to move so quickly because: The clinical trials were centrally coordinated by the government rather than various pharmaceutical agencies. The clinical trials combined the first two phases to assess safety, dosing, and the immune responses. The FDA granted the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines an EUA to allow for quick approval and distribution. Under an EUA, approval is pushed ahead of less critical projects. In order to issue an EUA, FDA must determine the known and potential benefits of the vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks. CDC continues assessing the effectiveness of vaccines approved for an EUA. None of the factors that allowed the accelerated development of a COVID-19 vaccine have compromised safety, scientific or ethical integrity. No short-cuts have been made. The FDA recommends a vaccine have an effectiveness rate of at least 50 percent. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines far exceed this standard. Both report about 95 percent effectiveness at preventing symptoms of COVID-19, including severe disease. This efficacy rate is extraordinary. You won’t get COVID from the vaccine, but you may experience mild flu-like symptoms. It’s not possible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only produce the spike protein from the virus, not the whole virus. However, when you get the vaccine you may experience some side effects, including chills, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain and injection site pain. But these side effects are typically mild and will go away on their own within one or two days. They represent immune activation and are seen with other vaccinations. It takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. It takes about two weeks after your second dose for full immunity. Two doses of the vaccine are necessary. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective. Pfizer’s second shot occurs three weeks after the first dose, and Moderna’s is four weeks. Health experts recommend you resist the urge to skip the second dose and make time for the second shot. Vaccines for all will take several months. Vaccine distribution will take a while to make it into your neighborhood. That’s because the Maryland Department of Health created a phased approach to vaccine distribution based on initial limited supplies. First available doses will go to those at highest risk of exposure to or developing complications from COVID-19, including hospital health care workers and nursing home residents and staff. Next up will be first responders and those at significant risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Phase 2 targets essential non-health care and transportation workers, and people at moderately higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Phase 3 focuses on vaccinations for the general public. According to the CDC, vaccines should be available to the general public by the spring of 2021 and distributed throughout the year. Now is not the time to let your guard down. Just because a vaccine is making its way into your area, it still isn’t time to let your guard down. It will take a while for everyone to get both doses of the vaccine. For a highly contagious disease like COVID-19, much of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to COVID-19 to make its spread unlikely. And, while Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show they’re about 95 percent effective at protecting you from the disease, they aren’t 100 percent effective. That means there’s a small chance you can still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated if you’re exposed. Experts recommend continuing all of the safety measures we know are working to keep the virus at bay, including the 3Ws: Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance. For your health and safety, stay up to date. Information about the pandemic and the vaccine changes daily. For the latest recommendations for you and your family, listen to your local public health officials and bookmark the CDC’s vaccination page for the most up to date information.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogNow more than ever, it’s important to do everything you can to stay healthy. And you may have wondered if there are ways to boost your immune system. There’s still much research to be done on the link between your nutrition and lifestyle choices, and your immune system. But here’s what we know now. Your Nutrition Choices You’ve probably seen supplements at the grocery store that claim to support your immune system. But remember this – nutrients work together, so having too much of one nutrient might undermine how effective another one is. Also, unless you are malnourished or have a disease affecting how you absorb nutrients, there’s no evidence that suggests adding extra supplements beyond what you already eat will help. Instead, stick to a healthy diet with a balanced amount of protein, vitamins and other minerals and nutrients. Protein. The body uses protein to build and repair tissues, plus make hormones and enzymes that promote the body’s daily functions. You can get protein from meats, fish, beans, cheeses, eggs, peanut butter, nuts and dairy products. Vitamin A. This fat-soluble vitamin also supports vision, reproduction and healthy organ function. You can get vitamin A from poultry, fish, potatoes, leafy green vegetables and non-citrus fruits. Vitamin C. This water-soluble vitamin supports wound healing and acts as an antioxidant to protect cells. You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, tomato juice, broccoli, strawberries and cantaloupes. Folate and folic acid. These help create and repair cell’s DNA in your body. Folate and folic acid are in leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, Brussels sprouts and fortified cereals. Selenium. This is a mineral that also supports thyroid gland function and DNA production. You can find it in seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, meat and whole grains. Zinc. This nutrient supports cell creation and wound healing. Vitamins E, D, B6 and iron could also help support your immune system. Your Lifestyle Choices Your lifestyle can also play a role in how often you get sick. Here are some things you should do to help keep your immune system in top shape. Sleep. You need sleep to rest and recharge. Without it, you increase your risk for developing serious health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and heart disease. Exercise. Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It improves your cardiovascular health, controls your weight, lowers your blood pressure, reduces your risk of many cancer types and protects you from a variety of other diseases. Exercise also promotes good circulation, which allows cells and substances to move through the body and do their job most effective. That helps your immune system. Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of infections such as pneumonia and flu. Studies show you could also be at greater risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 if you smoke or vape. Lower your stress. This year has been full of uncertainty. But it’s still important for you to take care of yourself, because your immune system can weaken when you’re stressed out. Focus on what you can control, instead of what you can’t. There is no magic food or nutrient that can stop you from getting sick. But a balanced diet will help support your immune system – which will help your body fight off infections and diseases. Butternut Squash and Kale Soup This hearty soup is full of vitamins A, C and B6. Ingredients 1 large sweet onion, cut into wedges 4 cups of cubed butternut squash (cut into 3/ 4 inch cubes) 1 tablespoon of olive oil Fresh ground black pepper to taste 1 teaspoon of dried thyme 1 14.5-oz. can of low sodium chicken broth 3/ 4 cup of water 3 cups of chopped kale Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and spread onion and squash over foil in a single layer. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and toss lightly to coat; then season with pepper and thyme. Place in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through and starting to brown. Note: take vegetables out at least one during cooking to stir. Combine roasted vegetables, chicken broth and water in a large saucepan and use an immersion blender to blend ingredients together until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender to make this soup, you can use a regular blender to blend the vegetables and the liquid together. Heat blended soup over medium heat until heated through, then stir in kale and cook until wilted, about three minutes. Recipe courtesy of the Diabetes Food Hub. Author Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.0
- Giving, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’ve never experienced anything like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic before. Now the holidays are here, which could be a tough time for many. So how can you shine some positivity into your local community? You can make a difference with an attitude of gratitude and giving. Consider shopping small this year Since March, a number of businesses have closed or moved online in order to stay afloat. Use your favorite search engine and look up “local gifts near me,” and check out what local merchants are selling. Or, get takeout from a local coffee shop, bakery or restaurant. You can even “pay it forward,” by purchasing a few gift cards to local businesses to hand out to someone in need. If you can’t afford to give, consider donating to charity, such as your local Goodwill or food pantry. If you’re stressed during these uncertain times, do something good for someone else. This can make you feel better, too. Feeling overwhelmed? Missing interaction with loved ones? We may be social distancing, but we can still communicate. Call a friend or a family member to chat or laugh about a funny memory. If your mental health is suffering, reach out to a mental health professional or a primary care provider (PCP) for assistance, or dial 911 if it is an emergency. We’ll get through this – together. Author Tormeika Sanford, DNP, MSN, CRNP, is a nurse practitioner with Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has received an ‘A’ in the fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. LHAAMC is one of only 16 Maryland hospitals to receive an ‘A’ in the fall 2020 report. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. “We are extremely grateful to hospital leadership and health care workers who have remained steadfast in prioritizing patient safety as our nation battles COVID-19,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This ‘A’ is a testament to the care and commitment of those who work for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. With the current pandemic exposing existing flaws within the U.S. health care system, we appreciate you putting patient safety first. Lives depend on it.” Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. Hospitals are graded based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and the results are free to the public. To see full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBarbara Jacobs, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer, reflects on her family’s history as she shares why she will be getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Like many of you, I have been thinking about whether or not to take the new vaccines. Lots of people have asked me what I will do. I would like to say that I made my decision solely on the basis of reviewing detailed medical literature and thinking of the 2000+ people dying daily in American hospitals. However, for me it all became really clear as I was getting ready for Thanksgiving. For those of you interested, I will share my decision-making process. As I prepared a small turkey breast for our very different dinner this year, memories of previous Thanksgivings came to me. In cleaning up that day I had for a moment focused on the cabinet that holds a 100-year-old treadle Singer sewing machine. This came to me from my grandmother and it once belonged to her mother, Minnie. Standing in the kitchen cooking that turkey breast and thinking of the sewing machine brought back a particular memory. A Singer sewing machine that belonged to Barbara Jacobs’ great-grandmother. My grandmother Balletto was a personality. As a treat she let my siblings and me all squeeze in her bed to hear stories when we stayed with her in the Bronx (made especially nice since the landlord turned the heat and hot water off at 8 pm!). While telling those stories, she really made her childhood come alive for us. We often heard about her parents and siblings. Her family lived in Washington Heights in Manhattan in an area where a lot of working people lived in apartments and row houses. Several of my oldest relatives still lived there when I was young. In 1920, my grandmother’s family consisted of her parents and her younger brother. Her mother, Minnie, had recently obtained the beautiful Singer sewing machine that I now own. New York City in 1920 had endured two terrible spikes in the Spanish flu pandemic, one in 1918 and another in 1919. Up to 500 people a day were dying in its peak. This flu spared the young and the old, but not the middle, and left thousands of children orphans. By January 1920, things had started to improve and in the middle of that month, my great-grandparents went to the Veterans Fireman Association of New York Vaudeville Show. It was held in the Palm Room, in Hells Kitchen in Manhattan, which had a theater/ballroom large enough to have a show and dancing. My grandmother kept the program from that event and inside the front cover she wrote “the last ball mama went to, she died on 22, 9 days later.” We kids heard about how my great-grandfather hired a nurse (how brave she must have been) who stayed at my my great grandmothers side until she died of Spanish influenza. Like some of our patients with positive COVID-19, my great grandmother went from health to death in a remarkably short time. On the first Thanksgiving after her mother’s death, my grandmother was 13. We kids heard the story many times of how she was in charge of preparing the dinner. She told us how she cooked a turkey that looked beautiful on the outside but, when the family sat down to eat, was raw inside. My grandmother was embarrassed, but mostly felt incredible sadness for the loss of her mother. Her mother’s death changed her life and by 16, she had left school to work to bring in additional money. My grandmother, in memory of her mother, kept the Singer sewing machine that she later gave me. As I thought of my grandmother on Thanksgiving, I asked myself what decision would she have made if she were presented with a vaccine that might have helped save the life of her mother. I remembered the terrible loss she still felt many years later as she told us stories. In addition, my 91-year-old father also told me, “we have a choice, we either get the vaccine or we get the virus.” I thought of the thousands of U.S. deaths and the many families enduring loss and remembered my grandmother, the turkey and sewing machine — and the advice of my sage father. My decision became clear. By getting the vaccine, I might help my own family or others not suffer the loss of a loved one. As soon as it is my turn, I will be vaccinated. Each of you will make your own decision about vaccination, but I wanted to share how I made mine.0
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