General Page - Tier 2
How to Look Up Patient Experience and Other Quality Data Various third-party groups report on patient experience and other data related to hospital quality. Below, you'll find some of the most common quality measures we track., Related Patient Experience Resources
At Luminis Health, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of care. You should hold us accountable, too. The experience you have with your health care system should be a good one. The best way for us to know how good your experience was is to ask. We are committed to the goal of zero preventable harm. This mission guides how we care for every patient and fosters a culture of safety where preventable harm is not acceptable.What is Patient Experience?The patient experience at Luminis Health is the sum of every interaction—shaped by our mission, vision, and RISE values—that fosters trust, dignity, and empowerment throughout a patient’s journey.Mission: We deliver respectful, inclusive, service-driven care that adapts to meet the unique needs of the individuals who make up our communities.Vision: To create a healthcare experience where every patient and family feels supported, cared for, and included.Our Promise to You – Our Values in ActionRespect: We will give you and your loved ones our full attention, treat you with dignity, and ensure you feel like the most important person in the room.Inclusion: We will listen to your concerns, respect your perspective, and include you in decisions about your care.Service: We will work as a team to provide timely, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. We will anticipate your needs and be here to help.Excellence: We will continually seek ways to improve your care experience, strive to exceed your expectations, and always give our best to support your health and well-being., What to Know About Patient SafetySafety is our priority and we've embedded it in our culture. Everyone has a role in making health care safe. We encourage you, the patient, to be an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.Here are some ways to do that:Speak up if you have questions or concerns and, if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications from the right health care professionals.Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center or another type of health care organization that has undergone on-site evaluation against established quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The Joint Commission.Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.If you have concerns about patient care or safety in one of our hospitals, contact our patient relations office at (443) 481-6890 for AAMC and (301) 552-0899 for DCMC.
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Why Depend on Us for Spine Rehabilitation?We're dedicated to getting you back on your feet as safely and quickly as possible from your back injury or spine surgery. You should choose us because:We're part of one of Maryland's top spine surgery programs. That kind of volume gives us a wealth of experience guiding patients like you through recovery.Our physical therapists specialize in spinal conditions. Helping people with a spinal condition achieve optimal results is our sole focus. Because of that narrow focus, our physical therapists are experts in all aspects of recovery, whether it's for a new injury, chronic condition or surgical recovery. For surgical recovery, we advise you on wound care, post-operative precautions and how to safely resume activity following surgery. No matter your condition , we customize a rehab program specifically for you. Altogether, this gives you the best chance of reaching your goals.We'll work seamlessly with the rest of your care team. Our physical therapists stay in touch with your referring provider or your surgeon if you have spinal surgery. This ensures you get the most appropriate care during each stage of your recovery. If you have surgery, we can securely send photos of your incision to your surgeon through your electronic chart. We also work closely with the nurse navigator who coordinates your care. We know communication between patient and the entire care team is pivotal to ensure optimal recovery.We have clinics in many locations. With clinics located throughout the area, you won't have to travel far for appointments.
Condition
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Spinal Conditions
Luminis Health Physical Therapy uses treatments from manual therapy to a range of exercises for people with spinal conditions. We treat patients who need physical therapy for new conditions, chronic conditions and surgical recovery.Physical Therapy for Spinal Conditions at Luminis HealthOur physical therapists help you strengthen the muscles that support your spine. We also help you avoid nerve pain and other nerve symptoms. We respond to your unique needs, goals and lifestyle. Our goal is to help you be the best you.We're trained in several internationally renowned approaches, from the McKenzie Method to neural mobilization. We draw from a variety of evidence-based techniques, perfecting your program based on how you respond.We increase your range of movement, increase your strength and stop your pain at the source. We work with you to find out your goals and help you achieve them.Your physical therapist team helps guide you every step of the way through your rehab process and cheers on each new accomplishment!
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Cancer Care
General Page Tier 3
Tips for Eating Well During Chemotherapy
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Eating well during chemotherapy can help you maintain your weight and improve how you feel during treatment. A well-planned strategy and support from your cancer care team, can help you navigate any obstacles to maintain optimal health throughout treatment.
You need more calories and protein during chemotherapy.
Both cancer and cancer treatment increase the energy and nutrients your body needs, especially protein. Protein is important in helping you rebuild strength during treatment.
Foods rich in protein and nutrients are the best choices during treatment, including:
Beans
Berries
Bright orange fruits and vegetables
Chicken
Eggs
Greek yogurt
Leafy green vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Salmon
Whole grains
Chemotherapy may cause symptoms that can impact your ability to meet your nutrition needs.
Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells. Despite its intended target, it often impacts healthy rapidly dividing cells as well, including those of your mouth, esophagus and the rest of your digestive tract. Because of this, digestive symptoms like mouth sores, heartburn and constipation are common.
Medications given with chemotherapy can also cause side effects. For example, some pain medications can slow down the digestive tract making it difficult to digest food and have a regular bowel movement.
The good news is your doctor expects and is prepared for these challenges. A registered dietitian can provide strategies, and help you plan a healthy diet that addresses your symptoms.
Small frequent meals may help when you don’t feel like eating anything at all.
Loss of appetite and early fullness are common side effects of chemotherapy. And if you don’t feel like eating, sitting down to a huge plate of salmon and greens isn’t exactly appealing. Here are a few ways to maximize the nutrients in your food:
Add blueberries to a bowl of cereal
Make grilled cheese on whole grain bread
Mix chopped broccoli into mac and cheese
Pump up chicken, tuna or egg salad with fresh celery and parsley
Toss extra vegetables in a mug of soup
Use peanut butter or avocado on toast
Soups, stews and smoothies make great meals for getting in lots of nutrients. And smaller portions make eating and drinking seem less daunting. Focus on eating a few bites or drinking a few sips at a time. You can always get seconds if you’re still hungry.
Take care in the kitchen to keep your food safe.
According to the National Cancer Institute, it’s unnecessary to avoid all fresh fruits and vegetables during treatment. Research shows that general food safety practices reduce the risk of food-borne illness while allowing for a less restrictive diet. Food safety practices include:
Washing hands
Separating raw meat, poultry and eggs from other foods
Washing fresh fruits and vegetables with cool water
Avoid food buffets
Mix up your routine to deal with taste and smell changes.
Taste changes and smell aversions are also common during treatment. That’s because the tissues that line your mouth and nasal cavity are also lined with those same rapidly dividing cells impacted by chemotherapy.
Identify your taste changes and add flavors to balance what you’re tasting using the FASS principle. FASS stands for fat, acid, salty, sweet. Patients experiencing taste changes may use these flavors differently depending on their specific tastes:
Acids: Try something acidic, such as fresh lemon juice when food tastes too sweet
Fats: Use nut butter or nut creams to help soothe mouth sores
Salty seasonings: Add sea salt when food seems tasteless
Sweeteners: Seasoning your food with natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or agave nectar, can help when your food tastes metallic or bitter
Activity, fluids and fiber can help you stay regular.
Bowel regularity is an essential part of staying well-nourished. Constipation can leave you feeling full even if you need to refuel. Loose, watery stool can dehydrate you. To alleviate discomfort, incorporate these strategies:
Activity: Exercise and physical activity encourage movement of food products through the digestive tract.
Fluids: Caffeine-free fluids, including water, herbal tea and unsweetened milk, help meet your body’s fluids needs.
Soluble fiber: Soluble fiber holds water in the digestive tract and encourages soft stools. Good sources include peeled apples and pears, beans, peas, blueberries and oats.
Talk to your doctor about your side effects.
Side effects of chemotherapy are expected, and your doctor will have some options for making them better. Whether you’re dealing with constipation, heartburn or sores in your mouth, your medical team has strategies to improve how you feel so you can keep up with your nutrition. Inadequate protein and calorie intake can lead to muscle loss and treatment delays.
Depending on your side effects, your doctor may suggest talking with a palliative medicine provider, who are specially trained to help you feel better. From appetite to energy and even your bathroom habits, they have an arsenal of tools, including medications, supplements and complementary therapies like acupuncture and massage.
A registered dietitian is a great resource.
Optimal nutrition during chemotherapy can help you feel good and maximize the benefits of your treatment. Treatment side effects may have you feeling a little out of sorts, but we’re here to help. If you would like more specific guidance, talk to your doctor about speaking with one of our registered dietitians today.
Authors
Monica Tomazic, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, and Maureen Shackelford, MS, RD, LDN, are registered dietitians specializing in oncology nutrition with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
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Why Use Our PT360 Home Physical TherapyKeeping you as safe and mobile as possible at home is our number one priority. Our team takes the worry out of adapting to a new mobility aid or recovering from injury or surgery. Choose us because:We're already connected to your care team. Since we're all part of Luminis Health, we've got close working relationships with many Luminis programs. We communicate with your referring doctor, whether you're recovering from hip fracture repair or preparing for spinal surgery. This helps ensure you get top-notch care. It also means less work for you. We receive your medical records directly — with no need to waste time tracking them down yourself before coming to see us.We'll come to you. Few hospital physical therapy services are equipped for home visits. But there's no substitute for seeing you in your own home environment. We do in-home evaluations before or soon after surgery. We'll also come to you for your first few exercise and rehabilitation sessions. We offer in-person appointments for patients who live in our region. Live out of our service area? We can do your home evaluation via a video link.We have experienced, specialized therapists. Our team specializes in this type of care. We're the physical therapy service surgeons at Luminis Health trust to care for their patients.We make seeing us as easy as possible. We offer extended hours and Saturday appointments. When you switch to in-clinic visits, we've got many locations. Plus, we accept most types of insurance.
Treatment
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
PT360 Physical Therapy
PT360 brings physical therapy right to your home. We do home evaluations and advise you on how to maximize your safety and mobility after surgery or injury. PT360 is an extension of outpatient physical therapy services performed in the home and covered by insurances, including Medicare part B.What is PT360 Home Physical Therapy?Facing surgery in the immediate future? Certain features or items in your home may suddenly become hazardous or make some activities difficult, if not impossible.Not to worry. Our PT360 physical and occupational therapists are experts at risk minimization. That means you can enjoy the benefits of home faster and as safely as possible.We spot potential dangers invisible to the average person. We're equally experienced at helping people with limited mobility find ways of doing the things they need to do, too. In other words, they can help you maximize the safety of your home—and your mobility.If you're having surgery, a PT360 therapist can visit your home to prepare you ahead of time. This is often done before joint replacement, spinal or breast cancer surgery.
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Why Choose Us?Both our breast cancer physical therapy program and lymphedema clinic help give you the brightest future possible. You can trust us with your care because:We'll work closely with your cancer care team. We meet with your care team to discuss how to best guide your care. This can give us a clearer picture, for instance, of your risk factors for lymphedema.We have highly trained, experienced therapists. You won't see a general speech language pathologist for swallowing problems related to cancer treatment. You'll see someone who treats only patients with similar conditions. And our lymphedema therapists meet the highest standards to qualify for certification.We'll create a care path just for you. No two patients with breast cancer are alike. We'll work with the rest of your care team to create a plan that best suits you.
Treatment
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Physical Therapy for Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Management
Our breast cancer rehabilitation specialists make your treatment and recovery easier. And our lymphedema therapists assess and manage post-surgery swelling.Physical Therapy for Breast CancerWhy do physical therapy for breast cancer? It's one of the most powerful tools we have for helping you get your precancer status back.Physical therapy helps reduce side effects from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Plus, it lessens the emotional fall-out after your breast cancer diagnosis. Physical therapy even improves your life after you've finished treatment. Lymphedema ManagementWhat is lymphedema, and what causes it?Some of the fluid in your blood leaks into the surrounding tissues. This liquid (called lymph) travels through a network of "pipes" that carry it back to your bloodstream. Sometimes fluid gets trapped, causing swelling (lymphedema) in an arm, leg, or another body part. And if left alone, lymphedema can worsen.The good news? Our certified lymphedema therapists can spot early clues when this process is starting and step in to help. We're trained to treat and manage lymphedema so you get back to the life you want.We use several techniques to improve lymph drainage. One method is a type of massage that coaxes fluid out of the part of the body where it's collected. Sometimes we use a state-of-the-art device to do the same job. It works something like a blood pressure cuff that automatically inflates, then deflates.Lymphedema therapists also use bandaging and specially designed pieces of clothing to redirect pooled fluid using gentle pressure. Your therapist teaches you exercises and other strategies for promoting lymph outflow, too. These tools allow you to learn how to manage lymphedema on your own.
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