- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus (also called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is a disease that effects 1.5 million people in the U.S., according to the Lupus Foundation of America. A 2019 survey found that 63% of Americans have never heard of lupus or have little information about the chronic illness. Here is what you need to know: Lupus is an autoimmune disease Lupus causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs in the body. The body creates antibodies which attack your own cells. The chronic disease most commonly attacks your kidneys, skin, joints, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus may not affect all of these in each patient. Lupus symptoms Lupus is often tough to identify because its symptoms are similar to other illnesses. Here are the most common signs and symptoms from the Mayo Clinic: Fatigue Fever Joint pain, stiffness and swelling Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods Dry eyes Headaches, confusion and memory loss It is important to remember that these symptoms may also occur with other illnesses. A doctor can perform an examination and tests to see whether a patient has lupus or a different condition. Risks for developing lupus Lupus is more common in women. A lupus diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 15-45 years old. African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans account for the majority of lupus diagnoses. If fact, lupus diagnoses are two to three times more likely in African Americans compared to whites. You may also be at a greater risk if you have a family member with lupus. The disease may become more active during pregnancy, and require close monitoring. Causes of lupus In most cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. Experts believe it is possible to trigger lupus if you have a genetic predisposition for the disease, by hormonal changes, or by environmental factors. Treatment options There is currently no cure for lupus. You can manage lupus symptoms through a proper treatment plan created by your doctor. Treatment includes monitoring regularly. It may also include medications to help with symptoms, prevent worsening, and block the disease process. Health providers choose medicines very carefully. Medication selection depends on what other conditions a patient has, how severe the lupus is, and which features of lupus are the most active. Medications might include plaquenil, prednisone, imuran or benlysta. Author Susan Berger, MD, is a rheumatologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has some of the lowest rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the United States, according to data from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In total, 335 hospitals across the country, including LHDCMC, had an infection ratio of zero. “To be among the top hospitals in the country to receive this recognition speaks volumes to the high-quality care we provide to the communities we serve,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “I applaud every member of our team for their hard-work and commitment, as well as the precautions taken to ensure our patients are safe during their stay.” The measures are developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). They provide information on infections that occur while the patient is in the hospital. The figures represent data collected from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. “Patient safety is our top priority,” said Jean Murray, director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Luminis Health. “Nationally, 75% of urinary tract infections of hospitalized patients are associated with urinary catheters. The greatest risk is the length of time the catheter is in place. That is why it is important to remove catheters as soon as they are no longer medically necessary. We keep the utilization of these devices low to help enhance the safety of our patients,” said Murray.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGetting ready to hit the pavement? Whether you are a first-time runner or completing an in-person or virtual 5k race, here are some tips you need to know to make sure you have the best experience. Wear a Good Pair of Shoes Your feet should feel comfortable during your run. Ideally, you should purchase new shoes for running every 350 miles or every six months. After this time, shoe foam tends to wear down. This makes your feet less stable during your run. Running a 5K in worn shoes may also cause painful blisters. Pay Attention to Aches and Pains When you are training, pay attention to any discomfort. You should be able to run consecutively for 20 minutes without aches or pains. If you are running and something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to start walking. If the pain persists and affects your everyday activities, see a doctor. Know Your Hydration Needs Hydration during your run is very important. Water intake needs depend on the runner. You may be fine running for 30 minutes without water based on your level of training. Others may need to take a water bottle along during their run. Do what works best for you. Be Aware of Your Surroundings If you wear headphones while running, only wear them in one ear. You want to be aware of your surroundings. In addition to being an important safety measure, this keeps you mindful of other runners or bikers around you. Be OK with Shifting Your Running Goal On race day, make sure you take the time to do it well. You are not competing against anyone, especially during a virtual 5K. Even if you have the best training plan and the best shoes, your run may not go as you planned. When you are running on race day, be OK with doing the best you can. For more advice from physical therapists or to learn more about Luminis Health Physical Therapy visit: Luminis.Health/PhysicalTherapy.0
- 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
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