- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMelanie Lee, clinical director of nursing at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), keeps a handmade card from a young girl above her desk. When the girl was a patient on her unit, she told Melanie a secret that changed the course of her young life. The child told her that someone was abusing her. Melanie contacted authorities immediately and the girl was removed from her abusive environment. The note inside the girl’s handmade card was simple. But it brought tears to Melanie’s eyes the day she read it. “Thank you for saving me,” she wrote. “I keep the card as a reminder of how you can make such a difference in someone’s life,” Melanie said. Making a difference in the lives of patients like the young girl and other children at LHAAMC is something that Melanie does every day. She is being recognized by the Washington Post and American Nurses Association as a finalist in the 2021 Star Nurses award program. The award highlights nurses who are “the best of the best — in the DMV area.” Finalists will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony later this month. What are your thoughts about being a Star Nurse finalist? I’m humbled and greatly honored by this Star Nurse nomination. In my 18 years of nursing, I have always felt it a privilege to be able to care for ill or injured children, comfort their families, and advocate for the most vulnerable. I would never have been able to receive this honor if it weren’t for the caring and compassionate team members that I work with every day. Explain your current role at LHAAMC? As clinical director of nursing, I manage daily operations of the pediatric emergency department and inpatient unit. One of my top priorities is throughput, which means ensuring that kids get in and out of the emergency department as fast as possible with great care. Why did you decide to pursue nursing as a career? When I was 13 years old, my grandfather got very sick and my family spent a lot of time in the hospital. The nurses treated us like they had known us forever. They provided a lot of support to my family during that time. I remember thinking, if I can be that for someone else, I would feel so fulfilled. From that experience, I decided I was going to be a nurse. What do you like most about working in pediatrics? Pediatrics is 17 and under. You really get a variety of children to take care of every day and there is something special about each group. You can cuddle with the infant. The toddlers are funny and very honest. Our school-age children are really into learning. Often, we can relate to our adolescents by talking about the latest music. We get a huge variety of children from all walks of life. Pro tip: Nursing has evolved into so many different roles. There is something so admirable about being a bedside nurse and taking care of the patient. There is also a lot of hard work that goes into creating policies that improve quality of care through safety. You could also teach. Once you decide on your nursing focus, don’t give up. There is always a way to get where you want to be.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany young people are excited to return to normal after living in quarantine for over a year. The isolation and disruption to our lives has plagued Generation Z with chronic stress, leaving harmful effects like depression. Triggering thoughts such as, “Am I a risk to my friends and family?” or “When can I get back to work?” are especially distressing to this generation. When will life return to normal? Our experts have you covered with helpful facts. COVID-19 Immunity Does Not Last Forever Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study and found immunity lasts for a short amount of time. The study looked at 156 U.S. health care workers who had COVID-19. Participants received an antibody test about a month after developing symptoms, then a second one 60 days later. The study found 94% of the participants had fewer antibodies at the 60-day mark, while 28% experienced a major decrease in antibodies. Those who have had a mild case of COVID-19 often do not develop a detectable antibody response at all. Do not assume you might be immune to COVID-19 just because you have already had it. The Vaccine is Our Greatest Defense Against Variants Viruses are constantly changing. Mutations and new variants emerge over time. Now, at least four new variants are in the U.S. are cause for alarm. These new variants seem to spread easier and faster than the original strain. According to the CDC, most vaccines appear to be effective against these variants. Immunity from natural infection of COVID-19 might not be able to withstand these mutations the same way. Vaccination is our greatest weapon against mutated variants and long-term complications from the virus. Not to mention allowing you to visit and be out in public more safely. You Play a Role in Protecting Others from getting COVID-19 According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation is now seeing a large number of young people diagnosed with COVID-19. These cases are requiring hospitalization and occasionally lead to death. Young adults should do their part to help peers understand the importance of the vaccine and the impact of being vaccinated has not only you, but your friends and family as well. Staying away from other people is important when you are sick with COVID-19. Receiving the vaccine is also a huge benefit to you and others in your community. While we are all excited and anxious to return to our lives, we are not in the clear yet. Before things feel like they are back to normal, many more people need to be vaccinated. It’s important for all of us to get the vaccine to protect family members, society and ourselves. Together, all generations can come together and eliminate this deadly disease for good. In April, Maryland moved to phase three of its vaccination distribution plan, which means all Marylanders 16 and up are now eligible for vaccination. If you would like more information on how to make an appointment with Luminis Health, visit here. If you are a young adult who has questions or concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit CDC.gov for more information. Authors Jean Murray is system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Luminis Health.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMelanoma Monday: The Importance of Screenings Millions of people are currently being treated for skin cancers in the United States. And some types — such as melanoma — are serious and can even be life-threatening. It’s a smart idea to keep an eye out for suspicious spots on your body that could be symptoms of melanoma since finding it early can give you a better chance of starting treatment before it spreads. What is Melanoma? Anyone can get skin cancer, and skin cancers don’t all look the same. The three most common types are: Basal cell carcinoma Melanoma Squamous cell carcinoma Most basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are highly curable, although they may be expensive to treat or leave behind scars. Melanoma, on the other hand, is more likely to spread into other parts of your body. Screening for Suspicious Moles and Spots The best way to help prevent skin cancer is to avoid getting too much sun exposure, including from indoor sun lamps. But it’s also worthwhile to keep a watchful eye on your skin. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change in your skin, with unusual moles or new growths often serving as an early warning sign that something is developing. Researchers are looking into whether everyone should have a doctor regularly check over their skin to look for signs of skin cancer. At this point, regular screenings are recommended to people who previously have had skin cancer or who have suspicious moles or spots. Some people might have a greater risk of getting skin cancer, such as those with lighter skin or who burn easily. But everyone can and should check their own skin regularly. Take the time to get to know the moles and spots on your skin that are already there. Almost all of them are harmless, but it’s important to tell your doctor if any of them change in: Color Shape Size Texture Also show your doctor any new, unusual spots that appear, sores that don’t heal, or any areas that don’t look normal for your skin. They will evaluate the area and tell you if further tests are needed. Taking Care of Your Skin Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It does a good job protecting your body, but you also need to show it some care. Wear sunscreen every day and try to stay out of the strong, midday sun. Don’t forget to check your skin regularly. And if you’ve been too laid-back about sun exposure or skincare in the past, consider today a good day to commit to healthy practices. Authors Yin Wu, MD , is a hematologist medical oncologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Dr. Wu specializes in breast cancer, thoracic malignancies and gastrointestinal cancers, with an emphasis on care coordination. Dr. Wu believes in a personalized and compassionate approach for the care of cancer patients.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogExercise is crucial to maintaining heart health, but with summer heat hitting its peak, it’s important to factor in outdoor temperatures when you’re planning your activities for the day. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, or are on medication to control certain risk factors, always check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Certain heart medications can exaggerate the body’s response to heat. In addition, when you exercise the heart is bringing blood and oxygen to your muscles and needs to pump harder to keep up with the fluid you lose due to sweating. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you stay heart healthy: Adapt Don’t let the heat be your excuse to NOT exercise—instead, adapt! If you’re planning to exercise outdoors, try to schedule your workout for early morning or late evening hours when the sun is less intense and the temperatures tend to be cooler. Don’t forget to take regular breaks. Find a cool place to stop for a few minutes, hydrate yourself, and then continue with your workout. Hydrate Staying properly hydrated is critical. Most guidelines recommend about eight glasses of water per day, and if you’re exercising or having a very active day you should add one or two glasses to replace fluids lost due to sweating. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, please talk to your doctor about the appropriate guidelines for your specific needs. A lot of people are curious about sports drinks as well—when do you need them, when do you not? Remember, sports drinks are laden with sugar and other ingredients making them a far less healthy option compared to water. However, if you’re doing vigorous physical activity that lasts over an hour, especially when temperatures are hot, you need to replace fluids and electrolytes. You’ll also want to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages as they can dehydrate you quickly. Certain foods can be powerful hydrators, too. Foods like watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes have high water content and they’re part of a heart healthy diet. Dress for Success If you’re staying outside, dress for the heat by choosing lightweight, light-colored clothing and breathable fabrics or fabrics that wick away moisture from the skin. A hat or sunglasses and sunscreen with SPF 30+ are also a must. According to the American Heart Association, people who are physically active and at a healthy weight live about seven years longer than those who are not active and obese. It’s important to stay motivated during the summer months, and by thinking ahead it’s easy to continue with your heart healthy habits in a safe way. Looking for a recipe to make your own sports drinks or fruit-infused water? Check here. Author Jerome Segal, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Heart Institute at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. He can be reached at 443-481-6700. Originally published June 23, 2015. Last updated July, 2023.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has achieved “Straight A” recognition in the Spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, the nation’s most prestigious honor for patient safety. Since 2018, we have received “Straight A’s” for every grading cycle. “To be among the top hospitals in the country to achieve the highest ranking year after year reaffirms our passion and commitment to the health and safety of our patients,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “Our communities expect and deserve high-quality care. During this pandemic, every member of our team has gone above-and-beyond to keep staff, patients, and visitors safe. I want to express my appreciation to our entire team and volunteers for their hard-work and dedication.” “It’s clear Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center is on a never-ending quest to keep patients safe through thick and thin,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This likely saved lives through the pandemic and prepared for future health emergencies. I thank Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center for leadership and inspiration in these trying times.” The Safety Grade assigns letter grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” and “F” to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections, and other harms. 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 more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Leapfrog Group’s grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. “Our patients can rest assured they will receive the best possible care,” said Dr. Stephen Cattaeno, president of the medical staff at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “These grades are a gold standard measure that represent a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. I am proud to be a part of a health care team that recognizes the importance of caring for our patients and improving their well-being.” To see more details on Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s performance and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.0
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