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- Men's Health, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA heart attack sounds scary, and with good reason. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But life after a heart attack doesn’t have to be fraught with fear. Chuck Raines, who survived a heart attack in August thanks to the cardiac catheterization team at Anne Arundel Medical Center, is discovering that life goes on. Life-Saving Intervention In August 2015, Chuck, a 53-year-old experienced marathoner, felt some chest pain after a routine run. The next morning, the pain returned with sweating and nausea. His wife Trang called 911. An ambulance rushed Chuck from his home in Owings to AAMC, where the cardiac catheterization team was ready. The team was ready because Chuck’s electrocardiogram (EKG) results arrived wirelessly from the ambulance directly to the emergency room. Interventional cardiologist Elizabeth Reineck, MD, placed a catheter through Chuck’s wrist to the blocked artery in his heart and inserted a stent, opening the artery and ending Chuck’s heart attack. “They saved my life, so I was pretty excited,” says Chuck, who returned home after a week in the critical care unit. But at the same time, the shock of what had happened led to a sense of depression. “I thought, ‘I’m never going to be able to do the things I like again,’” he says. A Common Feeling “A lot of people can develop depression after a heart attack,” says Baran Kilical, MD, Chuck’s cardiologist. In fact, studies show that up to 33 percent of heart attack patients develop some degree of depression. “Patients typically were doing something when the heart attack happened, so now they’re afraid that their heart is delicate and they’re afraid to do common activities,” says Dr. Kilical. “I tell them, ‘You’re going to go back to your usual life, as long as you take the right steps.’” Those steps include faithfully taking prescribed medications, eating a healthy diet and exercising. All these steps can be aided by cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehab provides a safe, monitored environment to begin increasing physical fitness. AAMC’s Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes counseling to help patients improve their health and reduce the risk of future heart problems. “Patients who choose to participate in cardiac rehab do better than those who don’t,” says Dr. Kilical. A Healthy Future Chuck is motivated to take the right steps by Trang, who is his marathon partner, and his three young children. “Now I’m running again,” says Chuck. “Not as much as before, but I’ll get there.” He hopes to run the Big Sur Marathon with Trang in April. “Don’t feel like your life is over just because you had a heart attack,” Chuck advises. “You can get back.” Read more about Chuck in Quick Heart Attack Treatment Saves Runner. Find out your heart age and heart disease risk factors with our free online heart health profiler. Learn more about AAMC’s commitment to quick heart attack treatment. Contributor Baran Kilical, MD, is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- TelehealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChances are you’ve experienced episodes of coughing, congestion and sniffles in recent weeks. Hospitals are currently busy treating patients who need care for respiratory infections such as COVID, flu, and RSV. If you visit an Emergency Department (ED) for treatment, you might experience longer than normal wait times. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) in Lanham has successfully improved wait times by revamping its patient triage process: When you arrive at the ED, you will register with the clerk, and a triage nurse will assess your needs to determine the priority of care. A patient liaison staff member promptly engages and will explain and expedite the next steps in your care. This change has decreased the amount of time you wait by 40-50 minutes. If you are discharged to go home, our caregivers will ensure you have appropriate follow-up with your primary care provider, or they will connect you with a Luminis Health Primary Care Provider. Parents will be glad to know that at LHDCMC, physicians from Children’s National are available seven days a week to treat pediatric cases in the ED. You can also take several steps to ensure you receive timely care. Here’s what you can do: Make sure you bring everything you need for emergency care Your time in the Emergency Department will go faster by bringing important items for our care team, such as the following: Driver’s license or identification card Insurance card List of medications and allergies List of contacts, including primary physician, specialists, friends and family Discharge instructions and notes from recent ED visits or hospital admission Cell phone chargers Keep your cool Dealing with an emergency is stressful, and emotions are often heightened for everyone. Getting upset or mistreating your care team won’t speed up your visit. It’s important to remember that doctors, nurses, receptionists and other staff members in the ED are on your side — and working their hardest to give you the care you need as quickly as possible. At Luminis Health, we believe in a culture of mutual caring: We provide the best care possible in a healing environment and we always treat each other with respect and dignity. Caring for and protecting patients, families, employees, and our community, is important to us. “We have to treat patients in order of priority, seeing patients with life-threatening illness or injury first,” said Dr. Reginald Brown, emergency department chair at LHDCMC. “Your patience is very important and appreciated, as we prioritize care for those who need it urgently.” Urgent care is another option There are many situations in which the ED is the best place to go for care, such as life-threatening injuries or conditions. In other cases, urgent care centers are a convenient option for treatment. Urgent care can address the following conditions and symptoms: Cough and cold symptoms Minor cuts that may need stitches Eye problems, like pink eye Mild abdominal pain Mild illnesses, such as strep throat or the flu Sprains and strains Vomiting or diarrhea Telehealth visits are refreshingly easy If you have a minor medical issue, consider connecting with a medical provider virtually. This often allows for a quicker appointment, most patients are able to schedule same-day care. With the availability of after-hours and weekend virtual visits, we aim to accommodate your schedule. Luminis Health’s CareConnectNow is available for Maryland residents by calling (443) 951-4270 from your smart phone or making an online appointment. Thank you for your patience, support, and your own efforts as we strive to improve emergency care for every patient. Author Dr. Reginald Brown, is the emergency department chair at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNovember is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the love and dedication that go into caring for others. With the holidays approaching, it’s also a wonderful time to connect with older friends and family to ensure they’re feeling well and supported. According to the latest census, that’s more important than ever since Maryland’s population of older adults is growing faster than most of the country. And many people, including your older loved ones, need additional assistance to manage their health. Here’s what you should know to keep them — and yourself — healthy, should you become a caregiver. Recognizing when it’s time to help It can be difficult to tell if your loved one is struggling. Watch for these common signs: Changes at home: Is their space clean and safe? Are they eating well taking and taking medications as prescribed? Memory problems: Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but regular confusion or poor decision-making may signal a larger issue. Mental health concerns: Look for signs of depression, anxiety, or hopelessness—and seek help promptly if needed. Other health concerns: Difficulty walking, falling, poor hygiene or significant weight changes can all indicate the need for more support. Isolation is another red flag. Supporting their health and independence If you take on a caregiver role, be specific about how you can help. Offer to drive them to appointments, cook together on weekends, or plan regular social activities. You can also strengthen their care by: Being their advocate: Help communicate their needs to their healthcare providers. Coordinate appointments: Schedule and provide transportation to medical visits. Tracking health information: Keep a list of medications, health changes, and care plans. Manage medications: Use a pill organizer and create a schedule to prevent missed doses. Taking care of yourself Caring for an older loved one can be deeply rewarding, but also demanding. To avoid burnout, focus on the 4Ms of caregiving: What Matters: Identify the goals that are most important to both of you. Share them with health care providers and set aside time for yourself. Mobility: Encourage your loved one to stay active, and make time for your own exercise and well-being. Mentation: Report cognitive changes to their provider, and protect your own mental health by connecting with friends or joining a support group. Medication: Review prescriptions with their care team and ensure both of you eat well and stay hydrated. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Making those requests — even for small tasks — can help you avoid caregiver burnout. Additionally, be sure you get enough sleep and practice stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga. How we can help Luminis Health is proud to be a national leader in age-friendly care. In fact, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement recognized two of our hospitals for excellence in older-adult services. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis was named one of five Age-Friendly Health System Pioneers nationwide. In addition, Luminis Health Doctor Community Medical Center in Lantham — and our primary care practices — earned the Age-Friendly Healthy System Level 2-Commited to Care Excellence designation. With this widespread expertise, we’re ready to walk with you every step of your caregiver journey. Visit our caregivers page for additional caregiving resources. Authors Lillian Banchero, MSN RN, is the program coordinator for Luminis Health’s Institute of Healthy Aging.0
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCaring for and protecting our patients, families, employees, and the community during COVID-19 is of the utmost importance to Luminis Health. As a patient- and family-centered organization, we continue to review and update our visitor guidelines and practices as the situation changes. Below are the most up-to-date guidelines across Anne Arundel Medical Center, effective Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. While temporary restrictions remain in place, exceptions and guidelines for specific areas are below. General guidelines apply to all visitors. General guidelines for all patients, family members and support persons Hospital Guidelines: Visitation hours are from 11 am-8 pm. Exceptions depend on circumstances noted below.Family members/Support persons must wear a facemask at all times, covering mouth and nose, at all times. Bandanas, scarves and vented masks are not as effective. If a family member/support person needs a mask, we will supply one at entry. Family members/Support persons must check-in upon arrival at the entrances to the hospital. We will give family members/support persons a “welcome sticker” after the successful completion of a brief health screening. A successful health screen means there is no indication of a fever or sign of respiratory illness. An adult must accompany minors under the age of 18. Family members/Support persons must wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entry into or exit from patient rooms. Family members/Support persons should stay in the patient room or treatment area. Family members/Support persons should limit trips to the cafeteria, public restrooms, and other public areas. Family members/Support persons should limit personal belongings brought onto campus. Family members/support persons should stop at the front desk to check out when leaving the hospital. After checking out, please exit promptly. Waiting rooms are only for the Emergency Department and Procedural Care areas with appropriate social distance and maximum capacity honored. Family members/Support persons should not gather in lounges, lobbies, or hallways. Family members/Support persons attending palliative, hospice, or goals of care meetings may have up to three persons in a meeting room. Two persons may be at the bedside. Family members/Support persons should be 18 years and older unless the visit is for end of life. Patients who are 21 years of age or under may have a parent or guardian with them. If under the age of 18, two consistent parents/support persons may be present during their stay. Clergy of any denomination may visit a patient at any time. They will not count in the visitor max. Family members/Support persons who serve as a surrogate decision maker, including power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for a patient, and need to be physically present to engage in the decision making process are permitted at all times. The attending physician will be the final decision maker as to whether someone needs to be physically present. Hospital guests with an official governmental function may be present. Ambulatory Clinic Guidelines Donner Pavilion: Patients and support person must arrive no more than five minutes prior to the appointment.Patients and support person must wear a mask upon arrival. We will provide a facemask if the patient or family member/support person arrives with bandanas, scarves or vented masks. We will screen family members/support person for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival to the practice Social distancing is required in the waiting area. We will ask patients and their support person to wait in a common area if social distancing isn’t possible. Ambulatory Practices, Sajak, Wayson, and Belcher Pavilion Patients and support person must arrive five minutes prior to the appointment.Patients and support person must wear a mask upon arrival. We will provide a facemask if the patient or family member/support person arrives with bandanas, scarves or vented masks. We will screen family members/support person for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival to the practice. Social distancing is required in the waiting area. If social distancing isn’t possible, we will ask patients and their support person to move to an exam room, wait in a different common area or wait in their car. The patient will receive a phone call from the practice when it is time to enter. Specific Considerations Guidelines General Hospital Visitation Guidelines: All non-COVID-19 patients and/or recovered COVID-19 patients off isolation may have one designated daily family member/support person visit per day. The designated family member/support person may change each day. Acute Life-Threatening Event All patients, including those with COVID-19 positive results, may have up to two family members/support persons at bedside, allowed 24/7 on all units. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Because of the intensive or critical care needs of these patients, up to two family members/support persons per day may visit from 8 am-8pm for patients with COVID-19 negative or positive results. End of Life: If the health care team deems the patient is at end of life, the care team will contact the family (as defined by patient). Patients who have COVID-19 negative or positive results may have up to two family members/support persons at bedside, 24/7 on all units. Family members/Support persons may switch throughout the visit. An adult must be with minors under 18. The minor counts as the second visitor. Patients with Disabilities: All licensed Maryland health care facilities shall comply with applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and state and federal regulations and recognize the rights and needs for individuals with disabilities. The term “disability” means, with respect to an individual: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities for such individual, a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. A support person may be appropriate for, but is not limited to, patients with intellectual, developmental, physical or neurocognitive disabilities. Major life activities can include but are not limited to such activities as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. A support person can include, but is not limited to family members, personal care assistants, disability service providers, or individuals knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient who is authorized to assist the patient in making decisions. One support person may accompany, visit, and stay with a patient 24/7 during their visits to health care facilities. Access is applicable to all patients, who meet disability criteria, including those with COVID-19 positive results. We will issue PPE (mask, gown, gloves, and eye protection). The support person must wear PPE during the entire visit/appointment. Admitted patients are welcome to have one additional family member/support person present during the hours of 11 am- 8 pm in addition to their support person. We will screen all support persons for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival and periodically during their stay if appropriate. Anyone with symptoms or who answers yes to the screening questions is not able to visit or serve as the support person for the patient. We will instruct support persons on how to utilize and conserve PPE. Support persons shall adhere to all PPE procedures. Support persons are able to access public restrooms, cafeteria/vending areas while in the health care facility. We do ask that these trips are limited when possible. We may ask support persons to leave the room during certain procedures. If a caregiver, support person, or family member cannot be present, they may contact a member of the health care team for an update on the patient’s status. The health care team will contact the appropriate next of kin or legal representative for medical care decisions or emergent situations. Video conferencing is available if needed or desired. We will provide a copy of the Access to Support for Patients with Disabilities in Health Care Settings Policy and the Support Persons for Individuals with Disabilities Notice to all patients. If other accommodations are needed or for additional questions contact the following:Patient Advocacy, seven days a week from 9 am – 5 pm at 443-481-6890 (modified holiday hours). Hospital Administrator, after hours seven days a week from 5 pm – 9 pm at 443-481-5909. Kent McNew Family Medical Center and Pathways campus: To best protect the safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors, and staff; visitors are not permitted at this time. Women and Children’s Services: One consistent support person may accompany maternity patients. NICU patients are allowed to have the mother and a consistent support person (both will have security bands). Post-Partum readmits may have one support person and their infant with them. The infant must be attended by their support person at all times. Pediatrics: Two consistent parents/support persons may be with the patient during their entire stay. Applicable to all patients, including those who have COVID-19 positive results.If siblings are present and have no one to care for them, please contact leadership. Emergency Department: One family member/support person is welcome to remain with a patient through their stay in the Emergency Department. If critically ill, two family members (defined by patient/family) may be present per above “Acute Life-Threatening” guidelines. Surgical/Procedural Patients: The patient is welcome to have one family member/support person remain with them through registration and the pre-operative stay before their procedure. We will ask the family member/support person to leave and wait off campus once the patient is taken in for their procedure.Once the patient is ready for pick up or settled into their inpatient room, hospital staff will contact the family member/support person. Visitation times will be 11 am-8 pm. We appreciate your understanding during these extraordinary times. We are confident that together we will continue to deliver the highest quality of care. Last updated at 3 pm on Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor many of us, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. But for others, it can be the most challenging time of the year. The holidays can invoke memories of pain, disappointment or loss. Fortunately, there are coping mechanisms that can help make the holidays more bearable. Dealing with Loss The loss of a loved one can feel especially raw during the holidays. It’s healthy to allow yourself to enjoy fond memories if you don’t find the remembrance too emotionally troubling. If that’s the case, give yourself some time to remember, grieve for a brief period of time and then move on to restorative activities—it’s always helpful to keep that to-do list close. Consider thinking of how to renew or adapt an old tradition in a way that honors your loved one. Remember to try your best to enjoy the holiday as your loved one would have wanted you to. When you need to separate yourself from emotions of sadness and loss, engage in your usual self-care practices like taking a walk, exercising, watching an enjoyable movie, listening to uplifting music or talking with a family member or friend. Alone for the Holidays Being uncoupled during the holidays can feel particularly lonely. One of the first things to remember is that you are not alone: plenty of people don’t have partners and they deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as those who are in an intimate relationship. This is a great time to rediscover yourself and the things that you enjoy. Our feelings of loneliness are sometimes cravings to be in the presence of others—not necessarily with a romantic partner—so allow yourself to accept offers of getting together with family and friends. Being with others whose company you enjoy is a very healthy distraction when dealing with the loss of a relationship. Navigating Difficult Family Members You may avoid certain family members throughout the year but feel obligated to spend time with them over the holidays. The holidays are a time to endeavor to set aside our differences and celebrate our connections. Try to guide your conversations with difficult family members to subjects that you both like, such as happy memories of mutually beloved departed family members or the latest antics of the family pet. If needed, give yourself an escape route. This may mean having closer family members or friends on the lookout to call you out of a bad conversation. Make sure that you can leave the environment safely if needed—try to be the driver or to have the Uber/Lyft app on your phone. Consider disarming your family member by learning something about them that you didn’t already know; people usually like to talk about themselves, so use that to your advantage. And, most importantly, don’t go looking for conflict. Watch the way that you engage—monitor your tone and your reaction—as sometimes the conflict we experience is due to the conflict we create. Managing Behavioral Health Conditions The holidays are ripe with emotions, both good and bad. If you have a behavioral health condition, it is likely that you will have more symptoms during this time—more depression, anxiety or substance use. Anticipate that this is a possibility and plan now on how to manage the reemergence or increase of symptoms: Consider talking to your therapist/counselor about increasing the frequency of your sessions. Think about talking to your prescriber about the appropriateness of increasing your medication dosage for a brief period. Plan to participate in more recovery support groups and talk to your sponsor more frequently. Monitor your use of recreational or other substances; try to maintain your non-holiday patterns of use and remember that almost every drug supply chain is tainted with fentanyl—this is not a good time to try something new that is substance-related Keep naloxone on hand if you or family members or friends use substances. Call 988 for support if you find yourself in an emotional or substance-related crisis—someone is available to talk with you 24 hours a day. Authors Aliya Jones, MD, serves as the inaugural Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health for Luminis Health.0