- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn honor of Nurses Week and Hospital Week, Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health, expresses her appreciation for our health care heroes during these uncertain times. In the world of health care, May is typically a major month for celebration. It is the moment each year when we honor our nursing staff during Nurses Week and follow with an even larger gathering to honor all staff members during Hospital Week. But this is not a typical year, and no one knows that better than you. Like health care workers across the nation, we are witnessing how every facet of our lives has been dramatically altered by this virus. We know that communities need us now more than ever. While this is a point of pride, it also is a heavy responsibility. You answer the call every day to help patients and support their families, all the more challenging because no one knows when the ferocious hold of this pandemic will subside. So it hardly feels like a time to celebrate. This May will stand out like no other in the chronicle of modern health care. As you each take your rightful place in this historic moment, there is no greater time to acknowledge the extraordinary commitment of each of you – for your unselfish duty to your profession, your compassion for those who are suffering, and your unparalleled commitment to one another. And you do all this while bearing concerns about your families and your own well-being. In past years this month would prompt a “theme” to play out across each of our campuses. If we had a “theme” this year, it would be a short, simple, two words. You would hear it when you go into every patient room, from every corner of every ICU, every nursing station, supply room or underground hallway – and we would say it over and over again. Thank you. Thank you for showing up each day. Thank you for wearing the protective gear that sometimes feels cumbersome or worrisome to your patients. Thank you for working with uncertainty, for not knowing if or how you can help the next patient, for accepting that despite all your remarkable skills and best training, no one has seen what you are seeing now. Thank you for demonstrating care and concern not just for our patients, but for each other. We see you and all that you are doing. You’re doing a good job. Take a look for yourselves. Whether you are doctor, nurse, therapist, pharmacist, dietitian, aide, housekeeper or volunteer, we know that your compassion for our patients – and the extraordinary acts of courage and compassion you show for each other – is what will see us through these coming days. As the famed American author, poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wrote, “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” You are what brings joy to this month of May. Thank you, Tori Bayless, Chief Executive Officer, Luminis Health0
- Cancer Care, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has earned CEO Cancer Gold StandardTM accreditation for its work to reduce the risk of cancer for its employees and covered family members. AAMC is recognized for encouraging healthy behaviors and improving health outcomes for employees by promoting prevention measures, encouraging early detection through cancer screenings and ensuring access to quality care. “Anne Arundel Medical Center is honored to be among the leading organizations to achieve the CEO Cancer Gold Standard Accreditation™,” said Sherry B. Perkins, president of AAMC. “We strive to provide the highest quality of care for our patients and are equally committed to promoting the wellbeing of our employees and their families. We offer the latest technology in diagnostics and treatments, with access to innovative research and clinical trials to deliver care and support that comes with compassion. Cancer is not only treating a disease, it’s caring for each person throughout his or her journey.” The Gold Standard accreditation recognizes AAMC’s programs to reduce cancer risk by taking concrete actions in prevention, screening, cancer clinical trials, quality treatment and survivorship, and health education and health promotion.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer is right around the corner. Thoughts of long sunny days spent at the beach, on the water fishing or out in the yard gardening remind us to protect ourselves from too much sun exposure. But sunburn can also happen when you least expect it. Even when we’re not outside for long periods of time enjoying the summer sun, we should be concerned about the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Incidental sun exposure refers to the kind of exposure you get during everyday activities, such as walking the dog or going to and from your car. It’s not as obvious as a day at the beach, but it adds up over time. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, incidental sun exposure accumulated during your lifetime is linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. Have you ever been sunburned without knowing how it happened? Here are four lesser-known ways the sun can damage your skin. It’s easy to think you’re protected from the sun on a cloudy day, but actually, more than 90 percent of UV rays can shine through light cloud cover. Sun exposure can’t be ignored while swimming, either. Up to 40 percent of UV rays can penetrate shallow water. Don’t forget reflected light. Sand, water and snow reflect between 25 and 80 percent of UV rays. Hiking or skiing in the mountains can also mean more sun exposure because UV radiation increases with altitude. Surprisingly, a significant amount of sun exposure can occur even when you’re not outside! The type of rays that cause sunburns (UVB rays) are blocked by glass, but up to 60 percent of UVA radiation linked to premature aging (UVA) can penetrate glass. Sitting by a window for extended periods of time throughout the day, whether it is in a car or a building, can increase harmful sun exposure. A study conducted in France found that people with more skin damage to one side of their face spent a significant part of their job driving. Although windshields are laminated and filter out UVA rays, side and back windows are not and can let in skin-damaging UVA rays. The sun exposure drivers received through the side window contributed to uneven aging on their face. In fact, American drivers have more skin cancers on the left side of their face. The lesson? Protecting your skin from overexposure to the sun is always important, no matter where you are or what the season. Follow these guidelines to prevent premature aging and reduce your risk of skin cancer. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30) every day and apply one ounce to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours (more often if you’ll be sweating or swimming). Seek shade, especially between 10am to 4pm. Wear sun protective clothing or add sun protection, such as SunGard by RIT, when you wash your clothes. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses. Avoid tanning beds. Examine your skin every month. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam, and make it a daily routine to protect your skin! Author Joanne Ebner is a cancer prevention program supervisor at the AAMC Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Originally published April 26, 2016. Last updated June 18, 2018.0
- Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTennis is a great sport that offers a cardiovascular challenge, a test of skill and strategy. Proper tennis warmups and strengthening exercises can help prevent muscle and tendon strains and tears. Below are some tips to help get you tennis ready and help prevent injuries. The warmup Start with a light jog, jump rope, do burpees or do a combination of all three. The point is to get your blood flowing. In five minutes you should feel loose and have your heart pumping. Dynamic warmup The goal of the dynamic warm up is not just to stretch, but to make sure you are able to take your joints their full range. Frankenstein’s Kick – You can do this statically in one position or walk around. Keep your hips and pelvis pointing straight ahead and kick your right foot while reaching out with your left hand, then alternate with your left foot and your right hand. Do this for 30 seconds or go 30 yards. Butt Kicks – The ideal athlete should be able to kick his or her own butt. Stand tall, keep your tail bone tucked and kick your right foot back while reaching back with your left hand to touch it. Now alternate with your left foot kicking back with your right hand reaching back to touch it. Do this for 30 seconds or go 30 yards. Side Shuffles – We move in one direction most of the day: forward. Get in an athletic stance, like someone was going to knock you over. Side shuffle each direction for 30 yards. Keep your body squared and hips forward. Grapevines – This is the same as the side shuffle except you have to open up your hips, bring the push off leg in front of the lead leg, shuffle laterally and then bring the push off leg behind the lead leg. Repeat for 30 yards each way. The stretching Now that your body is warmed up, it is time to stretch. For tennis players and all overhead athletes, due to the repetitive nature of the sport, certain things tend to tighten. Cross body shoulder stretch – Keeping your shoulders low, bring your arm across your chest. Grab onto your elbow with your opposite hand and pull. Hold 20-30 seconds and repeat three times. Now repeat on the other side. Prayer stretch and reverse prayer stretch – Bring your palms together as if you are going to pray. Place your elbows out and feel the stretch of the muscles of your forearm. Now alternate with bringing the back of the palms together. Keep elbows out and hold each stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat twice. Sleeper stretch – Lying on your side, bring your arm that you are laying on out at a 90-degree angle from your body. Now bend your elbow to 90 degrees with your palm facing the direction in which you would arm wrestle someone. Use your top arm and push your hand down towards the floor/bed/mat. You should feel a nice stretch in the back of your shoulder. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat three times. Thoracic mobility – A stiff rib cage and thoracic spine can cause your whole shoulder girdle to overstress itself. Lying on your side, keeping your knees together, open up your trunk like a book. Your top arm is going to reach away from the direction that your knees are pointing. Turn your head facing your reach hand, as well. Hold 2-3 seconds, and repeat 10 times. Now try the other side. Rotator cuff strengthening There are many ways to approach rotator cuff strengthening. These are a few of my favorites: Neutral external rotation (NERT) – Using a resistance band, keep your arms by your side with your arms bent at 90 degrees, like you are holding a pizza box. Palms up, thumbs out. Grip the resistance band and pull it apart while keeping your elbows tucked into your rib cage. Squeeze the shoulder blades together. Repeat 15 times. Do 2-3 sets twice a week. Plank and rotate with a band – Hold a plank on your elbows while holding a resistance band with light tension between your hands. Now rotate your body so all your weight is through one elbow. Extend the free hand towards the ceiling while pulling the band. Rotate and repeat 10 reps to each side. Do two sets at least once a week. The reverse throw – Set a band or a pulley system to waist height and stand centered to it. Grab onto the band with your throwing arm and cock your arm back as if you were to throw a football. You should be able to do 20 reps. Repeat for three sets and alternate arms. ABC plank – Plank on a Swiss ball with elbows on the ball. Now draw the whole alphabet with the ball, keeping a tight plank. Do one set with capital letters and one set with lower-case letters at least once a week. Other general upper body strengthening to help the shoulder girdle that should be part of any strengthening program include: Pushups Dips Pull ups Rows Knee stability The knee needs balance between all the muscle behind the knee, above the knee, and below the knee. Knee range of motion – Make sure you have full range of both knees. Can they bend all the way equally, and can they not only extend, but hyperextend equally? If not, stretch them or make an appointment with your physical therapist to figure out why. Squat – Feet should be shoulder width apart. Keep your knees behind your toes and squat down. You can add resistance with a barbell, kettle bell, dumbbell, etc. Find a trainer to make sure your form looks good. Single-leg dead lift – Stand tall holding a dumbbell or kettle bell. Hinge forward with one leg kicking back. Bring the weight down towards the floor keeping the three curves of the back. Allow the stance leg’s knee to bend. Now bring it back to position one. It is okay to do a standard dead lift with a barbell, as well. Form is everything when trying to prevent injuries in this exercise. Overhead reverse lunge – Holding a weight over your head with your right hand, step back with your left leg and sit in a lunge with the left knee close, but not touching the ground. Return to start. Repeat 8-10 times for two sets and switch legs. Side plank clams and hip abduction – Holding a side plank, try 20 reps of clams. The top leg should be bent at 90 degrees. Open the hips just enough before your trunk starts to rotate. For hip abduction, return to the side plank position. Keeping the hips and toes pointing forward, lift your top leg away from the bottom leg, leading with the heel. Repeat 20. The leg exercises not only give you the strength needed to compete, but also improve the power of your swing. Proprioception Proprioception is your body’s ability to perceive its position in space. Simply balancing and standing on one leg can challenge your proprioception. Exercises like yoga and the practice of martial arts help you develop the balance, strength and skill to master your body awareness. At a gym or at home use a Bosu ball or wobble board with your exercise routine to help you challenge your proprioception and improve your core activation. Simply standing on a BOSU while doing arm curls can help improve proprioception. Stand-up paddleboarding is also a great way to challenge your balance, proprioception and core strength for tennis players looking for a way to cross train. Plyometrics Plyometrics is a type of activity that involves explosion and using a muscle in a way that creates a quick stretch and response. Jumping rope – Keeping your body relatively stiff, jump rope. Variations include single leg, alternating skips and side-to-side jumping. Box jumps – Finding a box at an appropriate height for your level of skill is important. This is an explosive exercise. Keeping your legs parallel, hop up on to the box, landing as softly as possible. Then step down. The point is to explode and react with strong stability. Do reps of five for a set of five. Depth jumps – It is also important to learn how to react quickly with plyometrics. Set up two boxes at difference heights or a box and a hurdle. Start at the higher box and jump down. Now explode as fast as you can onto the second box. The cue is “attack the ground.” Again, repeat for five reps for a set of five. Other activities that can help you train plyometrics include basketball, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes and wind sprints. If you’d like help developing a training routine specific for your needs or help recovering from a sports injury, AAMG Physical Therapy can help. Call 443-481-1140 for an appointment or more information. Author Dat Quach, PT, is a senior physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy and supervisor at the Bowie Pavilion clinic. To reach his practice, call 443-481-1140. Originally published June 6, 2017. Last updated June 11, 2018.0
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes AAMC’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines. AAMC earned the award by meeting specific quality measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. These measures include the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments with the goal of speeding recovery, and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. READ MORE: Reducing stroke risks This year, AAMC also achieved the next level of Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). AAMC earned the higher-level accreditation for continuing to show exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms, and for streamlined systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment to appropriate post-discharge care. AAMC exceeded an array of stringent criteria. The ACC also acknowledged that the hospital’s team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved outcomes. READ MORE: The heart of the matter: Lowering your risk of heart disease “This recognition is testament to our culture of quality and the people behind our carefully designed systems of care to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of Cardiovascular Services at AAMC. “We are proud to be recognized for our efforts by the industry’s most leading organizations.” To learn more about AAMC’s stroke services, visit www.askAAMC.org/stroke, and for more information about AAMC’s heart services, visit www.askAAMC.org/heart.0
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