- 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 practitioners 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
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNow that the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency, you may have questions and concerns about the virus and how it is spread. What is monkeypox? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus—part of the same family as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder and rarely fatal. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several Central and Western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs. How does it spread? While many of those affected in the current global monkeypox outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness. Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through: Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, skin-to-skin contact or sex Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Unlike other diseases and illnesses, asymptomatic individuals (those who do not have monkeypox symptoms) cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids. What are the common symptoms? Symptoms of monkeypox can include: Fever Headache Muscle aches and backache Swollen lymph nodes Chills Exhaustion A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. How to avoid contracting monkeypox You can take a number of steps to prevent contracting monkeypox: Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer If you are sick with monkeypox: Isolate at home until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible How is it treated? There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections but because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. Antivirals, are sometimes recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider. According to the CDC and Maryland Department of Health, vaccination for monkeypox is not currently recommend for the general public. Vaccine resources are being reserved for individuals who have had known close contact with someone infected with monkeypox and for those who are in the highest risk population. This article was originally published in the Enquirer Gazette. Authors Jean Murray, RN, MSN, CIC, is the System Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Luminis Health. Her 29-year career as a registered nurse includes over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology. Jean is certified in Infection Control (CIC) and is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Greater Baltimore Chapter.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center has been recognized as a 2022-2023 Best Hospital in Maryland and the Baltimore Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report. LHAAMC also ranked high performing in 13 specialties for common adult procedures and conditions. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 33rd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. “We’re honored to rank as one of the top three hospitals in Maryland and the Baltimore Metro Area,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Thank you to our teammates for your hard-work, dedication, and compassion providing the best patient experience every day. As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we thank our community for putting their trust in us, as we fulfill our mission of enhancing the health of the people we serve.” For the 2022-2023 rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. For the first time, U.S. News rated eligible hospitals in Ovarian Cancer Surgery, Prostate Cancer Surgery and Uterine Cancer Surgery. In the 15 specialties, 164 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. State and metro area rankings reflect the highest performing hospitals in the area across multiple areas of care. “The hospitals named to the U.S. News Honor Roll excel across numerous specialties and service lines,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “When patients and their medical professionals are considering their options for care, the rankings are designed to help them identify hospitals that are superior in the kind of care they may need.” U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance using a variety of measures such as survival rates, complication rates, patient experience and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals methodology factors in data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American Hospital Association, professional organizations and medical specialists. For more information, visit Best Hospitals.
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