- 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
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you set off on the road, trail or treadmill to train for your first 5K (or your next one), it’s worth giving some extra thought to what you’re putting in your body for fuel. Eat Well: Get the Energy You Need to Go the Extra Mile Luckily, the best nutrition plan for 5K training looks a lot like a healthy, well-balanced diet. While marathoners might need to “carb-load” for long training runs or take in specific extra nutrients, most runners training for 5K races can get what they need by eating wholesome meals with a variety of fresh foods. For maximum payoff, make sure you get a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats. These elements all play a role in making sure your body has enough energy to exercise, keeping your muscles healthy and promoting good recovery as you train. Tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Limit added sugars and saturated fats Make half your grains whole grains Make half your plate fruits and veggies Vary your protein routine. Over time, small changes add up. For instance, switching out an everyday breakfast of waffles with syrup to include high-quality options — such as oatmeal with berries, or scrambled eggs on a bagel with a side of fruit — can help keep you on the fast track. Hydrate: And Drink in Your Success You should drink approximately 64 ounces of water per day. If you stay well hydrated throughout the day, you won’t need to drink anything prior to your run. Carry a water bottle with you so you can sip from it regularly. Sports drinks with electrolytes are healthy for people who exercise for long periods of time, or sweat profusely. In general, we get more than adequate amounts of sodium and potassium and sugar in our food. We don’t need to drink those nutrients. Also, if you’ve been thinking about reducing your alcohol consumption, this is a good time to do it. Drinking alcohol can get in the way of a good workout in a number of ways, including dehydrating you, disturbing your sleep and affecting your blood sugar. Have a Great Race When it’s finally race day, your healthy nutrition choices will set you up for success. In the hours before the starting gun, stick to the meals your body is used to eating rather than reinventing the wheel or introducing new foods. For dinner the night before your 5K, good meal options might include brown rice with grilled chicken and veggies, or whole wheat pasta with meat sauce and a lightly dressed salad. It’s also best to avoid higher fat foods, since they take longer to digest. If your race is early in the morning, make sure to put something in your stomach first. A banana with a little peanut butter, wholegrain toast with jam or an energy bar might do the trick. Throughout your 5K prep, consider good nutrition part of your training. Making higher quality choices more often than not will support your running plans and help you feel your best on race day. On your mark, get set…go! Author Davis Maurer, MS, RDN, LDN, is a clinical nutrition manager at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Cancer Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSunny days are ahead. Whether you’re planning to kick back and relax or stay active outside, here are four good reasons to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine. Sun Damage Can Happen Quickly When the sun is shining, it doesn’t take long — think less than 15 minutes — before ultraviolet (UV) rays can hurt your skin. Sun damage can happen on days when it’s cloudy or cool, and even on days you don’t go outside. Sitting inside near a window is enough to expose you to harmful rays from the sun. That’s why it’s important to get into an everyday sunscreen habit, no matter the forecast or what’s on your agenda for the day. The best sunscreen to use is the one you’ll reach for regularly, so try out a few brands to see which one you like. Just make sure it is: Broad spectrum (meaning it protects you from UVA and UVB rays) SPF 30 or higher Water-resistant And if you’re planning a day in the sun, try to find shade when UV rays are at their strongest, usually from about 10 am to 4 pm. Not-So-Sunny Consequences Too much unprotected time in the sun can cause short-term issues like sunburn and premature aging or long-term health effects like skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and some types can be life-threatening. The more time you spend in the sun, the greater the chance you’ll develop skin cancer in your lifetime. But you can reduce your risk with an ounce of prevention. To help your sunscreen work properly: Put it on 30 minutes before you leave home. Use at least a golf-ball sized amount. Don’t forget areas like around your ears, the back of your neck, or on the tops of your feet. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Check the sunscreen expiration date. Sunscreen works best when combined with other protective measures, such as putting on a hat and wearing sun-shielding clothing. Chemical Free is a Safe Bet Whether you have sensitive skin or want to avoid certain chemicals, a natural sunscreen is a safe bet. Non-chemical, or clean, sunscreens use mineral, or physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block the sun. Zinc and Titanium-based sunblock’s work by being a physical barrier against UV rays, but if you rub it in until it’s no longer white, it will no longer be effective. If you’re concerned about the white-coated appearance, seek out a mineral sunscreen instead. Damage Can Build Over Time Even if you aren’t sun tanning on purpose, the effects of exposure to the sun can add up over time. It’s important to start protecting yourself and your family early. If you have kids, convincing them to wear sunscreen every day can be a challenge. If your little ones don’t love how it feels or smells, work with them to find what kind they like best. The sooner you can make it part of your child’s routine, the easier it will be to make it a habit — and the more protection they’ll get over the years. The health and wellness benefits of time spent outside are undeniable. It’s worth taking a moment to prepare before you step out of your door. Authors Julie Oda, MD, is a hematologist medical oncologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Dr. Oda’s philosophy of care is to treat all patients as though they are family and to help them understand every aspect of the care they receive.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSpring is a great season to get outside and active. Enjoying this season in the midst a pandemic may be little challenging, but not a lost cause. As more and more individuals receive the vaccine, and we all continue practicing the 3Ws — wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance — outdoor activities can be enjoyed safely. “It’s important to safely practice self-care and mindfulness methods, even during a pandemic to help you maintain a healthy mental balance,” says Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise. “As a country, we may not be able to do things like we used to, but implementing a slight adjustment for safety can work wonders during this time.” To help with spring activity planning, here are some COVID-friendly ideas for you and your family to enjoy this season: Run, hike or walk Visit a pick-your-own farm or orchard Start a spring garden Take on an outdoor DIY project Play backyard games Plan an outdoor movie night Remember, whether giving advice on exercise or nutrition, your primary care provider can help you maintain your overall health and wellness goals. Primary care is important to your overall health this spring and beyond. Authors Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, specializes in the area of primary care at Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise.0
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMeeting the behavioral needs of residents in Prince George’s County is the motivation behind a new partnership between Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) and Prince George’s County. Victoria Bayless, chief executive officer for Luminis Health, and Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC, joined County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the official groundbreaking for the Behavioral Health Services Building. Located on the campus of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, the facility will offer a broad continuum of behavioral health services. “Today is a momentous occasion for Luminis Health as we break ground on this facility – to provide patient centered care and local access to community members suffering from mental health and substance use disorders,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “We are committed to removing barriers to health care, and ensuring everyone has access to the care needed to live a healthy life.” Right now, there are limited mental health resources in Prince George’s County. “We are here to serve the residents of Prince George’s County, and behavioral health care is one of the major needs,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “In the last year, we have seen an incredible rise in the need for mental health services. I believe we all know that particularly during the pandemic, and even prior to COVID, there are a number of people suffering with mental health conditions and are unable to get the care and treatment they need and deserve.” The two-story 31,200 square foot facility is made possible thanks to a $20 million grant from Prince George’s County. “We understand the strength of this partnership and look forward to growing the program with the County as we continue to meet this community’s behavioral health needs,” said Richmond. ”These programs bring us one step closer to eliminating health disparities in Prince George’s County.” The project has two phases. The first phase, which is slated to be completed by Winter 2021, will include first floor ambulatory services: Walk-in/urgent care behavioral health services Outpatient transitional behavioral health clinic Substance use disorder intensive outpatient treatment program Mental health partial hospitalization programs for adults and adolescents 8-bed residential crisis program The second phase is a 16-bed adult inpatient psychiatric unit. A Certificate of Need was recently submitted to the Maryland Health Care Commission for approval for the second floor unit.0
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