- Primary Care, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPrevent the spread of COVID-19 with these helpful tips There’s something magical this time of year, with little ghosts and goblins eager to fill their candy buckets. But sadly, in 2020, many sat out of the beloved childhood rite of passage as COVID-19 spread through our communities. This year, parents and kids alike have awaited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hopeful for the “all-clear” to trick or treat this Halloween. Luckily, we don’t have to wait any more: The CDC has given the green light (just with a few safety recommendations). Trick-or-Treating: What’s Safe, What to Avoid The CDC recommends that families follow the same precautions this Halloween as they have throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. What does that mean? Well, you might need that creative candy chute again. Here’s what the CDC says: Avoid crowds (even outside). Skip events you know will be crowded or cause kids to bunch up in groups, like trunk-or-treating, haunted houses or Halloween parties. Get a flu shot. It won’t protect you or your kids from COVID-19, but it can cut down on the flu. And experts predict this season will be a doozy. Keep your distance. Try to stay six feet away from other Halloween revelers. That may mean another candy chute or sitting out bagged treats for kids to take themselves. Stay outside. The fresh air helps scatter the virus – making it more difficult to spread among trick-or-treaters and adults. Stick to your household. It’s best to trick-or-treat with just the family members. If COVID-19 numbers aren’t high in your neighborhood, you may be able to head out with a few friends that live nearby. Wash your hands. Before diving into the night’s haul, make sure your little ghouls wash or sanitize their hands. Wear a mask. And we’re not talking about Halloween masks. Make sure your child wears the face coverings they wear at school or out in public, and don’t layer it under a costume mask that could make it hard to breathe. Halloween Advice for Kids-at-Heart Children aren’t the only ones who enjoy Halloween – many adults look forward to annual costume parties. (What better way to feel like a kid again?) You can still celebrate this year, but you may want to take a few precautions: Get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. If you’re not yet vaccinated, roll up those sleeves and get your shot. (And while you’re there, get a flu shot, too!) If you’re sick – stay home. It’s tough to miss out on the fun, but if you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, protect yourself and others by staying at home. Keep it small. Limit your guest list to vaccinated people you’re typically around. Move it outdoors. Nothing says Halloween like a bonfire party. Help limit the spread of COVID-19 by keeping the party outdoors or popping open a few windows. Set expectations. If you’re hosting, let your guests know the ground rules. That might include wearing a mask if someone’s not vaccinated or limiting the number of people you invite. Wear a mask. The science is clear: A face covering (not a costume mask) helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. Still confused? We’re here to help. You can always call your doctor’s office for information or send a message through MyChart. And you can be confident we’ll keep you up to date with the latest COVID news and advice from the experts in the field. Author Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, is a family nurse practitioner with Luminis Health Primary Care in Crofton, Md.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has celebrated the completion of its 100th heart surgery procedure. The milestone occurred in October 2021, just 10 months after expanding its heart program in December 2020. The journey began in 2015 when LHAAMC applied for a certificate of need (CON), with the goal to keep hundreds of patients in their community and avoid the stress of traveling to other hospitals for heart surgery and follow-up care. Letters of support poured in from the community. “The hospital has been a destination for heart care for years, and adding cardiac surgery helps us better serve the thousands of heart patients who come to LHAAMC every year,” said Adrian Park, MD, chair of surgery. In December 2020, just two days before Christmas, the first heart surgery was performed at LHAAMC. Less than a year later, the program has performed more than 100 surgeries. The heart program will welcome Murtaza Y. Dawood, MD, an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon, in winter 2021. For more information about heart surgery at LHAAMC, please call 443-481-1358. To support heart surgery patients, please consider donating blood. To make an appointment, please click here.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health is making major investments to its workforce to help recruit and retain a highly-qualified and patient-centered workforce. The Board of Trustees has approved $29M for employee incentives, including salary investments and new and updated benefit offerings. These initiatives will impact approximately 6,700 employees in various ways throughout the health system. “Throughout the pandemic, our employees consistently carried out the mission of Luminis Health– enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve through our RISE values (Respect, Inclusion, Service, Excellence),” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “These financial investments will help Luminis Health stay competitive, as well as address staffing shortages that impact hospitals across the country.” New and updated benefits include: Upfront tuition assistance payment Reducing wait time for short-term disability for all full-time employees Full-time health benefit premiums for most part-time employees Single Retirement plan for all Luminis Health employees New Registered Nurse (RN) Weekender Program to allow for flexible work shifts. Allows for non-weekender nurses to work less weekends Bonus for full-time bedside RNs with more than 20 years of experience College loan repayment program for full-time bedside RNs who have three years of service, up to $10,000 per year maxing at $30,000 This bold plan allows Luminis Health to provide compensation adjustments that are more competitive in the ever-changing market. These adjustments include: We’re raising our minimum wage to $17 per hour Realigning compensation for high demand, high vacancy positions in support services and allied health. Increasing the starting salary for newly graduated nurses. Additional bonuses for various nursing positions based on salary and hours worked. “One of the bold goals of Vision 2030, the health system’s new Strategic Plan, is to become the #1 employer of choice in the region where 100% of team members find joy at work,” said Manny Ocasio, chief human resources officer at Luminis Health. “By making these investments in our workforce, we can attract top talent and retain highly-skilled employees. Many of these benefits will take effect immediately and will be implemented by the first of January.”
- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is proud to announce a new accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). LHAAMC’s Institute for Healthy Aging has achieved the bronze standard (level 3) accreditation from the ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) Program. Leaders in emergency medicine developed GEDA to ensure that older patients receive well-coordinated, quality care at the appropriate level at every emergency department encounter. “It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts to ensure all care throughout Luminis Health is aligned with best practices for older adults,” says Lil Banchero MSN, RN, the senior director for the Institute for Healthy Aging.
- Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPlanning for a mastectomy can lead some women to worry about looking scarred or uneven after surgery. The good news is that breast reconstruction has come a long way over the years. Not only can women receive breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, the options give women the opportunity to feel the same or even better than they did before. Derek L. Masden, MD, chief of Plastic Surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), answers a few common questions. Can I have breast reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy? Yes, you can have them at the same time. A few years ago, you would have had to come back after the mastectomy for final reconstructive surgery. Today, you can have everything taken care of at one time. This means one trip to the operating room, one trip home and one recovery period. What are flap procedures? A flap procedure is when tissue from other parts of your body, such as the abdomen or back, is used to rebuild the shape of your breast. This is often considered more natural-feeling than implants. Keep in mind that these newly reconstructed breasts tend to age the same way as natural breast. If radiation treatment is part of my plan, should I have the surgery before or after radiation? That depends on the type of reconstruction. If you plan to have implants, I recommend getting radiation after the placement of the final implant. If you plan to have a flap procedure, I recommend that you undergo radiation prior to your flap. What are the risks? There are some risks that come with any surgery, such as bleeding, infection, and poor healing. With the flap procedure, there is a chance that the flap will not work and you may experience complications such as wound healing at both the donor (i.e.: tummy or back) and reconstruction (breast) site. For those who choose implants, there is a chance the implant could become infected or need to be removed. The vast majority of women who choose reconstructive surgery will not experience these situations, but it is always important to understand any potential complications. What results should I expect? My goal when performing reconstructive surgery is to give the patient an opportunity to feel and look like themselves after cancer treatment. Many women of all ages choose reconstructive surgery because it makes them feel complete. In some cases, women who have always considered implants will get implants during reconstructive surgery. For those who have always thought about a reduction, I can perform a reduction that will reduce chronic neck and back pain. The bottom line is, if you need a mastectomy, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your reconstructive options so you can make the decision that will give you the best possible outcome. Authors Derek L. Masden, MD, is the chief of Plastic Surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. To make an appointment with him, please call (443) 481-3400.
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