- General Page - Tier 2Check in with Your Family Doctor Even if you feel healthy, you should see your primary care doctor at least once a year. By monitoring your health over time, your primary care doctor notices early signs of problems. We can help you prevent diseases, like diabetes or heart disease, before they start. If you don't have a primary care provider, you can find one here . Quit Smoking If you're thinking it's too late for you to quit, think again! According to the Centers for Disease Control, once you've stopped smoking for three to six years, your added risk of coronary heart disease drops by half. And by the time you've gone five to ten years without smoking, your added risk for many cancers also halves. You'll also have seriously reduced your risk of heart attack and stroke. Ready to add years to your life? Call Maryland's hotline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or check out resources at smokefree.gov . Learn how Luminis Health can help you take the first step, call 443-481-5366 . Because it's always easier to do hard things when you have friends around you! Keep up to Date on Routine Cancer Screenings Routine cancer screenings let your doctor catch cancers at an early stage when they're easiest to treat. Some screenings even catch precancers, letting you remove cells before they turn into cancers. Pretty amazing, right? At Luminis Health, we offer cervical, breast, colon and lung cancer screening, based on age and risk factors. We also offer low-cost and free screenings for those who need them. Check with your doctor about which cancer screenings you should receive. Get Outside Getting outside has benefits for your mental and physical health. Sunlight, fresh air and a stroll among the trees can boost your mood. Plus, if you're outside cycling, walking or jogging, you're also getting major heart health benefits. Boost Your Immune System with Vaccines You might hit the gym to work out your muscles, but your immune system needs training too. Vaccines help your immune system recognize and attack dangerous viruses in case you're exposed in the future. Your primary care doctor can check to see if you're up to date on your recommended vaccines. Luminis Health offers flu and COVID vaccine clinics with partner community organizations, schools, residences and faith-based groups. Check out our calendar to find out about vaccine clinics near you. Get Enough Sleep Poor sleep doesn't just make you grumpy. People who consistently don't get enough sleep have a higher risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease and depression. To improve your sleep, aim to go to bed at the same time every night and avoid screens two hours before bed. Limiting caffeine in the afternoon, reducing alcohol and getting exercise in the day can also help you sleep more soundly. And Yes, Eat Your Veggies Improving your diet doesn't have to be complicated. It simply means upping the veggies, fruits and lean protein in your diet — all while reducing fried foods, processed foods and sweets. Once you open your horizons to new recipes and seasonings, you'll discover healthy meals are both flavorful and satisfying. Move over boring meatloaf, hello grilled salmon with mango salsa and greens! Learn more about our nutrition services . Overwhelmed? Take It One Day at a Time woman meditating on a patio outdoors Changing your daily health habits can feel daunting. But you don't have to change everything at once. Instead, focus on a change you can make today — like quitting smoking or getting outside every day. Then, you can add on other lifestyle changes when you're ready. Talk to your friends and family about your goals so they can support you. And remember, your Luminis Health providers are here to help, and we're cheering you on, too!Our Top Tips for Living a Healthy and Happy Life Your health is influenced by the dozens of decisions you make each day — day after day, week after week. Choices like cooking at home instead of ordering pizza, going for a walk on a sunny day and hitting the sack a little earlier. Ready to make your health a priority? Here are our top tips to prevent disease, increase your energy, and feel better.0
- Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMy birth experience delivering Bella at Anne Arundel Medical Center was a very positive experience – in fact, it was a breeze. Even though this was our second child, my husband and I took a parenting class as a refresher course, and we would definitely recommend it. Our instructor was informative, warm and entertaining. One Wonderful Day I remember I went into labor very early in the morning. I waited a couple of hours at home to make sure it was the real thing. Then I had my husband pack up the car, I woke up our school-age son, and we got ready to go to the hospital. Upon arrival at the Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center at AAMC, the nurses promptly brought me back to the triage area and confirmed (to no surprise) that I was in labor and dilated. The nurses were great about checking on my son, who was waiting outside the room until more of my family could arrive. My contractions were very intense, and I was having the dreadfully painful back labor. My nurse was so wonderful and calming while I waited to get my epidural. I remember her gently pressing down on my shoulders during the peak of my contractions and giving me words of encouragement. Somehow, that weight of her on my shoulders helped to make the pain more bearable. My epidural was a dream, and within minutes of getting it I was completely relaxed. I can truly say I was able to enjoy my labor — even being able to take a little nap and converse with family members. (Thank you, anesthesiologist!) My nurses were just the right balance of knowing when to let me rest and when to bring humor and lightness into the room. After 11 hours of labor and five minutes of pushing, we had our beautiful Bella in our arms. We had exactly the birth that we had wanted, and my doctors and nurses followed our birth plan to the tee. I had planned to breastfeed, so we had a lactation consultant pop into our hospital room before we left to make sure Bella was latching on properly, and to refresh me on breastfeeding basics. The lactation consultant was helpful and friendly. Advice For New Parents If I were to give advice to expectant moms and new parents, I would say remember to make time for you. Both pregnancy and parenthood are wonderful, joyous times. But they can also be both stressful and depleting. Remember that a healthy, happy mom makes for a healthy, happy family. As difficult as it may be to schedule in time just for you — even if it’s only 15 minutes — this goes a long way. And, never underestimate the power of three deep breaths to help you re-center and stay grounded. Staying Healthy My family and I stay healthy by making sure to get plenty of movement, eat healthy meals and receive acupuncture. My husband and I are both acupuncturists, and it is a true gift to be able to care for our family with this wonderful form of medicine. Our biggest teaching to our kids in terms of health and wellness is to listen to your body. Your body knows what it needs. If we ignore it, that’s when symptoms arise. It sounds simple, but so many of us override these messages. Get good rest, exercise, eat whole foods, drink enough water and balance work with play. Melissa Perilla is an acupuncturist in Annapolis.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) has re-designated Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) as a Level III Perinatal Referral Center for the state of Maryland. AAMC has maintained this certification since 2002. Evaluating measures including quality performance and patient safety, MEIMSS certified that AAMC continues to meet complex medical needs of premature and critically ill infants with state-of-the-art technology, a patient- and family-centered approach, and a multidisciplinary care team. AAMC also continues to meet performance standards to accept maternal and neonatal transports from states in the mid-Atlantic region. Re-certification will be effective until 2022. “Receiving this re-designation as a Level III Perinatal Referral Center is a testament to our commitment to offering the highest quality services and care in the region,” says Monica Jones, MD, chair of Women’s and Children’s Services at AAMC. “Whether a baby is born early or experiences difficulties during or soon after birth, it’s critical they receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” says Carol Lacher, clinical director of the NICU at AAMC. “We are proud to offer comprehensive services, provided by neonatal experts and nurses with extensive neonatal training, to meet some of the most complex perinatal needs.” AAMC ranks second in Maryland for number of births annually, with over 5,500 births a year. The NICU team consists of neonatologists, a pediatrician, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who provide life-supporting care to more than 500 premature and critically ill infants each year. AAMC’s multidisciplinary perinatal care team includes four board-certified maternal-fetal medicine physicians, board-certified OB/GYNs and specialized nurses, all certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM), giving expectant mothers across the region access to highly skilled, around-the-clock expert care. Related support services in the NICU include a nurse navigator, lactation consultants, dietitians, physical and speech therapists, a pediatric pharmacist, and patient family advisors. The Perinatal Referral Center re-verification process is part of efforts by MIEMSS and its Office of Perinatal Programs to ensure high-quality perinatal health care is available and provided to the citizens of Maryland.0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKnowledge is power. When it comes to breast cancer, this statement rings true. Understanding your personal risk factors for breast cancer can empower you to make healthier choices. It can also make you more aware of any changes in your breasts early on, before cancer develops or while it is still highly curable. Every day we take action to protect ourselves from harm. We wear bike helmets, change passwords and slather on sunscreen. Understanding your risk for breast cancer is no different. This starts with a conversation with your healthcare provider to help you make informed decisions about your health. You can control some risk factors. Maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol are all ways you can lower your risk for breast cancer. Other risks are outside of your control, such as inheriting a BRCA gene mutation or having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Each of these risk factors are red flags, and women should talk to a healthcare provider about risk assessment testing and genetic counseling. Risk assessment and prevention programs help women understand and do something about these red flags. With innovative resources including genetic counseling, breast specialists work closely with each woman. They can talk with you about making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of breast and other cancers, customize a screening schedule to help detect changes in your breasts at an early stage and, in some cases, recommend medications or surgery to reduce your risk. While risk assessments can give you valuable information, they can’t give definite conclusions. No single model can predict whether a woman will or will not develop breast cancer. Even women who have no detectable risk factors may still have a high risk of developing breast cancer. All women have about a 12 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. And risk increases with age. One in eight women who live into their eighties will develop some form of breast cancer. Most will be cured but even so, it can be a devastating diagnosis with lasting impact. Here are five questions you should ask yourself to help assess your breast cancer risk: Do you have a mother, daughter or sister who has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer? Has any man in your family been diagnosed with breast cancer? Have any of your aunts or cousins or grandmothers been diagnosed with ovarian cancer? Have you been told that you have very dense or lumpy breasts? Have you had multiple breast biopsies? Have you been treated with radiation for Hodgkin’s disease? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be at risk for breast cancer and should consider taking proactive measures for your breast health. Talk with your healthcare providers about your risk and about steps you can take to prevent cancer. For some women, this might include consulting with a breast cancer specialist. Unfortunately, all women are at risk of developing breast cancer, even without having any clear risk factors. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, have regular check-ups including breast imaging as recommended by your providers and be aware of any changes in your breasts. If you notice anything that concerns you, talk to your healthcare provider right away. An ounce of prevention is indeed better than a pound of cure. But, the best chance of cure is early detection. Talk with your doctor to determine the right breast cancer screening schedule and methods for you. Call 888-909-XRAY (9729) or schedule your mammogram at Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging. Read about two more ways to fight breast cancer: Ways to Fight Breast Cancer: Get Support and Ways to Fight Breast Cancer: Get Physical. Author Robert Buras, MD, is an AAMC breast surgeon and part of the Fortney Breast Center’s Risk Assessment and Prevention (RAPP) program. Originally published Sept. 30, 2016. Last updated Oct. 5, 2018. Save0
- News & Press Releases, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has achieved the “Center of Excellence in Education and Training” designation from the Maryland Patient Safety Center and Vermont Oxford Network (VON) for completing universal training for care of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is drug withdrawal syndrome experienced by infants exposed to opioids while in utero. Infants born with NAS are more likely to have respiratory complications, feeding difficulty, low birthweights and extended hospital stays. The collaborative approach to universal training included rapid-cycle distribution of current evidence-based practices to the entire interdisciplinary workforce engaged in caring for substance-exposed infants and families. This approach has been proven to reduce length of hospital stay and length of pharmacologic treatment while increasing family satisfaction. AAMC’s Newborn Cuddle Program is one approach its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team uses to treat substance-exposed infants. Hospital trained volunteers use comforting techniques, such as holding, rocking, singing or reading, which help decrease length of stay and the need for medication. “This designation recognizes our dedication to elevating care for infants and families affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome,” said Suzi Rindfleisch, medical director, Neonatal Services at AAMC. “We are committed to interdisciplinary education and service for this important, vulnerable population.” “The collective dedication of entire teams – including physicians, bedside nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals – make improvement possible,” said Bonnie DiPietro, director of operations for the Maryland Patient Safety Center. “We are already seeing fewer transports of infants, which means families get to stay closer to their local support system, and we expect to see outcomes improve even more over time.”0
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