- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Heath Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), a non-profit community-based hospital in Prince George’s County for almost half a century, joins a premier group of organizations that have received Pathway to Excellence® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Pathway designation is a global credential that highlights LHDCMC’s commitment to creating a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued. Luminis Health’s nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team, with a voice in policy and practice. Pathway nurses are engaged, resulting in higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and better patient outcomes. As a Pathway organization, LHDCMC leads the effort to enhance quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and the future of healthcare delivery. “Our Pathway to Excellence journey reflects how our nurses’ commitment to excellence is shaping our workplace,” said Crystal Beckford, Chief Nursing Officer at LHDCMC. “Built on years of hard work and dedication, this recognition highlights our focus on shared decision-making, quality care, and professional development, all of which lead to improved patient outcomes.” “We are incredibly proud of this recognition from the ANCC because it highlights our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment for our nurses,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “As we approach our 50th anniversary next year, we remain steadfast in delivering high-quality care close to home. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.” This distinction comes on the heels of LHDCMC being recognized as a high-performing hospital by U.S. News & World Report and by the American Heart Association for excellence in treating diabetes.0
- Primary CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe dog days of summer are upon us. It’s a time when many of us go outside to have fun, but spending time outside in extreme heat can cause heat-related illness and, in severe cases, heat stroke. Our experts provide guidance on understanding how to prevent, recognize and treat it. What is heat stroke? This is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when your body overheats due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in hot weather, and it can happen in minutes or over hours or days. When it happens, your body temperature may rise to 104 degrees or more. Take caution if the outside temperature is over 77 degrees, and consider over 85 degrees to be dangerous. Even on cloudy days, high temperatures can cause heat stroke. There are two primary types: Exertional heat stroke affects people who are active outdoors in hot conditions, such as athletes, laborers, or first responders. Strenuous exertion and heat can overwhelm the body’s cooling system. Non-exertional (classic) heat stroke affects vulnerable populations, such as older adults, young children, or people with chronic illnesses. It can occur without physical exertion, particularly during heat waves. How to prevent heat stroke Here are some ways you can help yourself stay safe during hot weather: Drink plenty of fluids, especially when outdoors. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take frequent breaks in the shade or cool areas if outdoors. Sunburn can affect your body’s cooling ability, so use sunscreen. Check with your doctor to see if any medications you use can increase the risk of heat stroke. Recognizing the symptoms Early treatment for heat stroke can be the difference between life and death. If you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else, get immediate medical attention: Core body temperatures of 104 degrees or higher are the main sign of heat stroke. You may need a rectal thermometer because other types may not be accurate in heat stroke. You may become confused and agitated, slur your speech, be irritable, delirious, suffer seizures, or lose consciousness. For classic heat stroke, your skin may feel hot and dry. In exertional heat stroke, your skin may feel moist. Either way, it’s a sign that your sweating mechanism is not cooling your body. You may feel sick to your stomach, nauseous, or vomit, which can contribute to dehydration. Your skin may turn red and flushed as your body temperature rises. Heat stroke makes your heart work harder to cool your body so you may breathe rapidly and have a strong pulse. How to treat it? If you think someone near you is experiencing heat stroke, here’s what you should do: Call emergency services. This is a medical emergency requiring quick intervention, so call 911 immediately. Move to a cooler place. Get out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location. Cool their body. Apply cool water to the skin with a sponge, garden hose, or wet towel. Use ice packs or cold, damp cloths on the armpits, groin, neck, or back, where blood vessels are closest to the skin and cool the body more quickly. Use a fan. A fan increases cooling by moving air that helps evaporate water from the skin. Hydrate carefully. If the person is conscious and can drink, give them cool water or a sports drink. Do not use caffeinated beverages or alcohol, as these can increase dehydration. Monitor symptoms. Keep a close watch on the person until emergency medical help arrives. The next time you are making plans to go outside on a hot day, make a plan for staying cool and hydrated to stay safe. If you recognize symptoms in yourself or others, seek medical help immediately. Click here to learn about emergency medical care at Luminis Health. Author Gillian Lowe, MD is a primary care provider at Luminis Health.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), the premier healthcare institution in Annapolis for nearly 125 years, has been named by U.S. News & World Report as a 2024-2025 Best Hospital. LHAAMC ranked No. 8 in Maryland and No. 6 in the Baltimore Metro Area. The hospital was recognized as a high performing hospital in eight specialties for common procedures, including cardiac care, cancer services, and orthopedics. U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Hospitals awarded “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience. The annual Best Hospital rankings and ratings, now in its 35th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decision about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. “We are fortunate to have an extraordinary team of caregivers and staff who deserve recognition for this honor,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “This prestigious Best Hospital designation highlights their commitment to excellence and patient-centered care. This recognition, together with our ‘A’ safety ratings from Leapfrog and the hospital’s recent third Magnet designation for nursing, shows our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care for the communities we serve.” To calculate the Best Hospitals rankings, U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from millions of records provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This year, among other methodology refinements, U.S. News incorporated new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and on care provided to outpatients, nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual data analysis. The Procedures & Conditions ratings are based entirely on objective quality measures.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Heath Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), a cornerstone of healthcare in Prince George’s County for nearly 50 years, proudly announces its recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a 2024-2025 High Performing hospital. LHDCMC has achieved this prestigious distinction for excelling in four critical procedures and conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Stroke. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for the U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings. U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Hospitals awarded “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience. The annual Best Hospital rankings and ratings, now in its 35th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decision about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. “This recognition by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to our physicians and team members’ commitment to delivering high-quality care to the communities we serve,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “As we prepare to celebrate our hospital’s 50th anniversary next year, we remain steadfast as a leader in medical excellence, providing exceptional care close to home.” To calculate the Best Hospitals rankings, U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from millions of records provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This year, among other methodology refinements, U.S. News incorporated new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and on care provided to outpatients, nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual data analysis. The Procedures & Conditions ratings are based entirely on objective quality measures.0
- Plastic Surgery & Skin CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogProtecting your skin from the sun with the right sunscreen is crucial. But picking the right sunscreen can be daunting. Knowing the basics before shopping can streamline your decision-making process, and hopefully prevent cancer. Why sunscreen matters One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime — it is the most common cancer in the United States, and the most preventable. Your best defense is protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays. That’s why the American Cancer Society recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when outdoors. Broad-spectrum sunscreens The sun emits two types of rays: UVA and UVB, both capable of damaging the skin. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and most skin cancers, directly damaging DNA in skin cells, prompting rapid growth and tumor formation. In contrast, UVA rays accelerate skin cell aging, leading to long-term issues like wrinkles and rough skin. They can also indirectly harm skin cell DNA, contributing to certain skin cancers. A sunscreen labeled “broad-spectrum” is proven to shield the skin from both UVA and UVA rays. Why use an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen? SPF stands for sun protection factor—the sunscreen’s protection level against UVB rays. The higher the SPF number, the more protection you get. Here’s how SPF works: When using an SPF 30 sunscreen on your skin, for every 30 minutes you spend in the sun, you only get equal to 1 minute of UVB rays. Here’s how much UVB rays each SPF filters: SPF 15 filters out about 93% SPF 30 filters out about 97% SPF 50 filters about 98% SPF 100 filters about 99% SPF below 15 shields against sunburn but not against sun damage or cancer.. No sunscreen can filter or block all UV rays or protect you completely. Chemical and mineral sunscreens: pros and cons Sunscreens use either chemical or mineral ingredients, or a combination, to filter or block UV rays. Chemical sunscreens use various chemical ingredients, including avobenzone, homosalate, and oxybenzone, to absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin. Pros: They are invisible once absorbed into your skin and feel comfortable. Cons: They can irritate sensitive skin, but need time to absorb before working. Mineral-based sunscreens contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, creating a barrier on your skin’s surface that reflects UV rays. Pros: These work right away. They are safe for sensitive skin and are considered safe for coral reefs and marine life. Cons: They can feel thick or greasy and may leave a white residue on your skin, especially on darker skin. What about water-resistant and tinted sunscreens? Sunscreens can’t claim to be waterproof, they can only claim to be “water resistant” for 40 or 80 minutes. If you sweat a lot or spend time in the water, you may want to use water-resistant sunscreen. Similarly, tinted sunscreens offers additional protection against visible light, benefiting individuals with hyperpigmentation disorders, commonly impacting. How to apply sunscreen Sunscreen only works if you use it correctly Maximize its effectiveness with these tips: Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Use enough to cover exposed skin (if you can see light through your clothing, UV rays can reach that skin, too). Most adults must use one ounce of sunscreen, a shot glass, or a palm full Don’t forget your ears, both sides of your feet, and the back of your neck Reapply at least every two hours Apply again after swimming, sweating, or towel drying One last tip- there’s no difference between baby and adult sunscreen. Both are safe to use. However, sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months. If you have questions about your skin health, please contact Luminis Health Plastic Surgery for a consultation. Our experts can work with you to improve sun damage and protect your skin for years to come. Author Telisha Johnson, NP, is a plastic surgery nurse practitioner at Luminis Health.0
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