- Community, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor nearly 120 years, we’ve been providing high-quality and personalized care for you and your loved ones. Our commitment expanded two years ago when we formed Luminis Health. In this month’s What’s Up Magazine, our CEO Tori Bayless, shares how the name came to be, and our approach to better health care. Here is the article: Anyone who has ever picked out a name—whether for a newborn baby, an adopted pet, or even a boat—knows that names help shape an identity. For Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), the name Luminis Health reflects our identity. To understand the origins of the name, it’s important to take a look at the history behind AAMC. In 1902, Annapolis Emergency Hospital was founded in Maryland’s capital city, housed in a farmhouse off Duke of Gloucester Street. Over the next 119 years, that hospital would grow and evolve in many ways, and with each evolution, the hospital’s name would change to reflect its expanded service to our community. With the growth of Anne Arundel County after WWII, the hospital expanded to meet the needs of a booming population in greater Annapolis. With an increasing number of births, a growing orthopedics specialty, and the beginning advancements of modern medicine, Annapolis Emergency Hospital changed its name to Anne Arundel General Hospital to reflect its expanded services and geography. When the hospital’s Board of Trustees voted to purchase 104 acres on Jennifer Road in 1984, the next evolution was signaled, as hospital and community leaders began to envision a new, comprehensive system of health care for family, friends, and neighbors. In 1988, the Board of Trustees voted to change the formal name to Anne Arundel General Health Care System for the “parent organization,” with the hospital name being changed to Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) in 1989. Within three years, Anne Arundel General Health Care System would include not only AAMC, but also a new addiction treatment facility called Pathways. As pressures on health care providers increased at the turn of the 21st century, AAMC leaders recognized that growth was vital to its mission for several important reasons. First and foremost, access to quality care for all who needed it inspired AAMC to build pavilions across the region, from Easton, Centreville, and Kent Island on the Eastern Shore, to Bowie, to Pasadena in North County, and Odenton farther west. The goal was simple—bring high-quality care closer to where people live and work. The second reason was, perhaps, more complicated but equally important. As large systems absorbed smaller hospitals throughout the state, AAMC’s leadership was committed to maintaining its independence to ensure it could continue to deliver its own brand of patient- and family-centered care. In order to maintain its independence, continued growth and scale would be imperative. When Doctors Community Hospital (now Doctors Community Medical Center or DCMC for short) recognized that they needed to be a part of a larger organization to ensure they could continue to serve the Prince George’s County community, they sought to become a part of Anne Arundel Health System. In 2019, our Board of Trustees approved AAMC and DCMC coming together to form a new health system: Luminis Health. The result is easier access to more locations—from the Eastern Shore, through Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, and well into Southern Maryland—enhanced quality, and improved health outcomes. “Luminis” supports our commitment to being a beacon of hope and healing for our communities. “Health” shares our commitment to sick care and well care, education, and healthy living. Luminis Health brings together a century-plus legacy of compassionate service to patients and families, a commitment to lighting the way to the highest quality, personalized health care for all who need it. Now, as Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, our Annapolis campus continues to be home to Maryland’s busiest emergency department, largest joint replacement and bariatrics/weight loss programs, second busiest birthing center, and world-class cancer program. The new name of Luminis Health is yet another landmark for a hospital and health system that has been an integral part of this community for nearly 120 years. Thanks to you, our community, for your support throughout the years and for making Luminis Health a part of your lifestyle.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re reading this at 3 am, scrolling for help on your phone while cradling a hungry babe in the other arm — you aren’t alone. First-time moms and seasoned pros alike can run into unfamiliar issues while breastfeeding and pumping. Here are some terms you might run into along the way. Talking about breastfeeding Clogged ducts A clogged milk duct — which develops as a small, tender lump on your breast — can result from a change in feeding schedule, a breast not draining fully or wearing tight clothing. Continuing to breastfeed will help it drain. Changing feeding positions, applying a warm washcloth and massaging can also help. Cluster feeding When your baby’s feeding sessions start to happen almost back-to-back, it’s called cluster feeding. Some babies seem to cluster feed before a growth spurt or in the evenings before a longer stretch of sleep at night. Colostrum When your baby is born, your breasts produce colostrum. This thick fluid is a kind of newborn “superfood” that contains the nutrients your baby needs and helps prevent infection. Over time, your breastmilk continues to adapt to your baby’s nutritional needs. Engorged Breasts As your milk comes in, you can quickly find yourself with too much of a good thing. If your milk production changes suddenly or you miss feedings, your breasts can become engorged or overfilled — sometimes painfully so. Warm showers and warm washcloths can reduce pressure before feedings. Foremilk and hindmilk Foremilk flows from your breast as your baby begins feeding, and it’s usually thinner than the higher-fat-content hindmilk that follows. Certain factors can affect the amount of foremilk vs. hindmilk your baby gets. But if your baby seems comfortable and has normal stools, they’re likely getting the right combination. Latch At the beginning of each feeding, it’s important to carefully line your baby’s jaw up to your breast to make a good connection. A proper latch helps your little one draw milk out safely and effectively, but it’s not always intuitive. Ask a lactation consultant for pointers if needed. Mastitis If your breast isn’t draining well enough, you can develop an infection called mastitis. If you notice swelling, burning or redness, or you have a fever or achy, flu-like symptoms, let your doctor, nurse or midwife know. You’ll need to take antibiotics, rest and keep breastfeeding to clear it up. Milk bleb Tiny, whitish spots on your nipple might be milk blebs or blisters caused by a latch that’s not quite right. These blisters usually go away on their own but can be painful. Keep the area clean and try to keep breastfeeding with good technique. A warm washcloth or gentle pressure can also help. If the area does not heal on its own, follow up with your provider. Thrush Thrush is a yeast fungus that often flares up in babies. A possible sign is white patches in your baby’s mouth and fussiness that makes feeding difficult. You and your baby will likely both need to be treated with antifungal medication for thrush since you can pass it back and forth. Pumping and bottle-feeding terms Duckbill Breast pump valves vary by shape. A duckbill valve — you guessed it — resembles a flat, wide duck bill. Some moms notice better suction or output from certain types of valves, so it’s worth experimenting if you’re looking for better results. Flange Flanges are a key part of your breast pump. Similar in shape to a funnel, flanges make a vacuum-style seal with your breasts so the pump can draw out milk. Choosing the right size flange for your nipple can help you avoid injury and get good results. Hand express Did you know you can express your breastmilk by hand, no pump needed? Hand expressing can help relieve engorged breasts, stimulate production or produce milk to feed your baby. It’s not a complicated process but it can feel tricky to get the hang of on your first go. How-to videos can help you perfect your technique. Paced bottle feeding Babies taking breastmilk or formula from a bottle sometimes eat too quickly or too much. Paced bottle feeding mimics the way your baby would feed from your breast. You can help your baby control the milk flow by using a small bottle with a slow-flow nipple and by holding it horizontally. Taking breaks every few swallows will also help your baby learn to eat at a slower, steadier pace. Supplementing The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding exclusively for your baby’s first four to six months. During this time, your provider will stay in close contact with you to offer support and help with any challenges you face. If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, your provider might refer you to a lactation consultant. These highly trained professionals can help you resolve any milk supply or latch issues. In some cases, they might also recommend supplementing your breast milk with formula. Breastfeeding and pumping are a wonderful — and sometimes messy — affair. It’s normal to have questions, and when you do, we’re here to help with all the support and resources you need. Author Mary “Ginny” Bowers, CNM, IBCLC, is a certified nurse-midwife and lactation consultant with Luminis Health Ob-Gyn. To make an appointment, call 410-820-0038.
- Men's Health, Primary Care, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChoosing a health care provider is a big decision. After all, you are placing your health in another person’s hands, depending on them to help keep you healthy and get you well when you are sick. You need expertise and experience. Compassion and strong communication skills. You want the whole package — and you might be surprised to learn that doctors aren’t the only people you can turn to for this high-level of medical care. Advanced practice providers (APPs) offer it too, and they’re playing a growing role in today’s health care system. What is an advanced practice provider? APPs are highly educated medical professionals. They include advanced practice nurses — such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists — and physician assistants. All have six or more years of college education and typically hold at least a master’s degree. During their training, they also get a minimum of 1,000 (and in many cases, significantly more) hours of supervised clinical experience. APPs are required to show proficiency in their practice area to become certified. And all must be licensed to practice. APPs typically also receive continuing education throughout their career. Expertise that meets your needs Often, APPs serve as primary care providers. And in Maryland, nurse practitioners can provide care independently. Depending on their area of expertise, APPs may: Administer anesthesia Advise patients on preventive care Assist in surgery Conduct physical exams Deliver babies Diagnose and treat medical conditions Educate patients Make referrals to other specialists Manage patient care Order medical tests and imaging studies Perform procedures Prescribe medications Take patient histories The benefits of advanced practice providers The benefits of seeing an AAP may be considerable. For instance, years of studies show that: APPs provide quality care. Research has shown that care provided by nurse practioners is equivalent to care provided by doctors. Working with an APP is cost-effective. Care provided by nurse practitioners can be less expensive than care provided by a physician in many settings, including primary care, acute care and long-term care. Similarly, there are proven benefits associated with physician assistants (PAs). For example, a survey of people who’ve visited a physician assistant or had a family member who has, found that PAs: Gain patient trust. About 93% of respondents considered PAs trusted health care providers. Increase access to care. About 92% of respondents said having a PA made getting a medical appointment easier. Improve the healthcare experience. About 91% of respondents believed PAs improved the quality of healthcare. A team of experts ready to help You can count on advanced practice providers to give you the best possible care. They’ll be at your side, ready to offer the latest treatment and lend a friendly ear or hand to hold, as well. And if you require additional expertise, they’ll make sure you get that, too. With the strength of the entire Luminis Health team behind them, they’re ready to meet you wherever you are on your health journey, ensuring you have access to all the care you need to live your best life. Author Dr. Tormeika S. Sanford, DNP, MSN, CRNP is an internal medicine provider with Luminis Health Primary Care. Make an appointment by calling 240-241-7474..
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re one of the estimated 25 million women dealing with pain “down there,” embarrassment may be keeping you from getting the help you need. You’re not alone. Only an estimated 15% of women dealing with pelvic pain bring it up with their doctor. Too many women assume pelvic pain – pain that mostly or only occurs in the area below a woman’s belly button – is something that “comes with the territory” and silently live with it. But there’s good news: You don’t have to. What is Pelvic Pain? Pain is the body’s way of letting you know something’s not right. While it’s common for many women to experience mild cramping or discomfort before or during their monthly menstrual cycle, pelvic pain can involve much more, including pain in your lower stomach or back, buttocks and genital area. Pelvic pain may: Be steady or come and go Cause pressure or discomfort around the vaginal area Feel sharp and stabbing in a specific spot, or dull and spread out Make inserting a tampon or getting a gynecological exam uncomfortable Pelvic pain is chronic if it lasts more than six months and affects your normal activities like work, exercise or having sex. What Causes Pelvic Pain? Pelvic pain can be hard to diagnose because the pelvic area in women includes different systems —digestive, reproductive and urinary — along with many muscles, ligaments and nerves. There may be one source of pain or multiple causes. Some common causes include: Aging Childbirth Endometriosis Adenomyosis Fibroids Genetics Hormonal changes Injured or irritated nerves Scar tissue Urinary tract infection Weak pelvic floor muscles Pelvic pain feels different for everyone and your pain level may not relate to how severe the problem is. For instance, a tiny area of endometriosis may cause intense pain for you, while someone else could have extensive endometriosis with little to no pain. Pelvic pain isn’t something to minimize or try to live with; ignoring it comes with risks. Left untreated, pelvic pain can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, scarring and fertility problems. Emotional problems can flare too – depression, anxiety, insomnia and intimacy struggles are real. Your Doctor Wants to Help – Start Talking Finding relief starts with mustering the courage to talk openly with your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Be prepared to be as specific as possible. You’ll likely be asked questions like: Can you describe the pain you’re experiencing? Can you rate your pain on a scale from one to 10? Does it wake you at night? How frequently do you have pain? How long have you been experiencing pain? What kinds of activities trigger it? What makes it worse or better? Do you find yourself calling out of work or school due to pain? Pinpointing the cause of pelvic pain isn’t always clear-cut and can take time. You may even have more than one thing going on. After talking with you and doing a physical exam, your doctor may want tests to gather more information. Diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, laparoscopy and cystoscopy allow for a closer look. With these results, you and your doctor can talk about the treatment that’s right for you. Treating Pelvic Pain Thankfully, there are treatment solutions that don’t involve surgery, or if they do, have a minimally invasive approach. The most common treatment options include: Diet and lifestyle changes. Changes to your eating and exercise plans. Medication. Over the counter and prescription pain relievers and muscle relaxants. Physical therapy. Massage, stretching, strengthening and learning how to control pelvic floor muscles. Surgery. Minimally invasive procedures to remove adhesions, fibroids or endometriosis. Finding relief for pelvic pain may mean trying more than one approach or a combination of treatments. If you feel you are not being heard, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion. It can take time, but opening up to your doctor and working together can lead to brighter days ahead. Author Jessica Ton, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Make an appointment by calling 443-481-3493.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThanks to vaccines, there’s been a renewed sense of hope that we’ll move past COVID-19. Businesses have reopened. And many of us are once again spending time with family and friends. In short, life seems to be returning to normal. But if you’ve watched the news lately, you know we’re not out of the woods just yet. A mutated form of the virus, known as the delta variant, is circulating worldwide. And it’s important we all know a little something about it. A variant of concern It’s not uncommon for viruses to mutate, or change, over time. In fact, officials have already identified several COVID-19 mutations or variants. Experts watch these variants carefully because the variants can behave differently than the original virus strain from 2019. Although there’s still a lot to learn about delta, there are several reasons the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named it a “variant of concern,” including: The delta variant has been responsible for “breakthrough” infections in vaccinated people, primarily those with severe chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. Vaccination continues to prevent severe illness and hospitalization with the delta variant. It spreads quickly. Delta was first identified in India in late 2020 and wasn’t detected in the U.S. until March 2021. But by July 2021 it was responsible for more than 80% of U.S. COVID-19 cases. It’s also much more contagious than earlier strains of the virus. Young people are at risk. Younger people who contracted the original coronavirus generally fared well. However, without the vaccine, cases are now occurring primarily among young adults. Get vaccinated, get protected We know the vaccines we have today are effective against COVID-19 and that they appear to work against the delta variant, as well. That’s good news if you’re fully vaccinated, but it could mean trouble if you aren’t. More than 95% of the people who end up in the hospital with COVID-19 now are unvaccinated. And among those who die from the virus, the percentage who didn’t get a vaccine is even higher. As the director of the CDC recently noted, “This is becoming the pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Currently, everyone 12 years and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. But as of late July, less than 60% of that population are considered fully protected. This means there are still many Americans at risk from the delta variant. To be fully protected, you must: Get both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. (The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose, but some evidence suggests it might be less protective against the delta variant.) Wait two weeks after your last dose for your vaccines to take full effect. If you’re not vaccinated — or not yet fully protected — it’s best to: Avoid large crowds Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces Cover coughs and sneezes Stay at least six feet away from others Wash your hands often Wear a mask in indoor public places Concerned about the vaccines? Talk to your doctor. The more people who get vaccinated, the less of a threat the delta variant poses. With higher vaccination rates, it also becomes less likely that other, potentially even more dangerous, variants will emerge. There are a lot of rumors going around about the vaccines. Don’t let them keep you from protecting yourself and the people you care about. Vaccines are safe, and they work. If you have questions or concerns, it’s best to talk to your doctor. No vaccine is 100% effective, but there’s no doubt they save lives. And while side effects are possible, serious complications are extremely rare. Know the symptoms of COVID-19 COVID may present with a variety of symptoms, including: Cough Diarrhea Fatigue Fever Loss of sense of taste or smell Muscle or body aches Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath People with the delta variant also frequently report: Headaches Runny nose Sore throat If you think you could have symptoms, the CDC offers a Coronavirus Self-Checker. It can guide your decisions about getting tested and seeking medical care. Remember, you have the power to help defeat COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Protect yourself and help protect others. Authors Mary Clance, MD, is Epidemiologist for Luminis Health Jean Murray is system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Luminis Health
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