- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center is partnering with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland National Guard to provide a free COVID-19 testing site, opening Friday, December 31 at 9 a.m. “We know during this holiday season and into the New Year, our community is looking for COVID-19 testing,” said Sherry Perkins, president Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “We are proud to be partnering with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland National Guard to offer this location to our community.” The testing site will run seven days per week, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., including New Year’s Day, until further notice. The no-cost testing site, located at the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center South Pavilion, 2001 Medical Pkwy, in Annapolis, will be walk-ups only, no scheduling or appointments needed, no physician order required, and will consist of PCR lab tests, which take 24-48 hours for results. Community members seeking COVID-19 testing at this location should park on levels seven and eight of parking garage A. Be sure to enter the complex from Jennifer Road. “We would like to remind everyone that our emergency rooms are at crisis levels,” said Dr. Stephen Selinger, chief medical officer for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Please avoid the ER for non-life threatening issues and for COVID testing. We are encouraging our community members to visit this new testing site at the South Pavilion. Patients should visit urgent care centers or seek care with their primary care provider for all non-life threatening illnesses and injuries.” Monday, January 3, 2022, Luminis Health will resume testing for its pre-surgical patients and employees at its Sajak testing site. You MUST have provider order at this testing site. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 am – 5 pm, and Sat. 9 am- 1 pm. “In order to continue to streamline the testing for our patients and our employees, we will continue to have our employees and pre-surgical patients only receive their PCR testing at our Sajak second floor of the garage site,” said Peter Odenwald, chief operating officer for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Clinical Enterprise. “This site still requires a physician’s order for testing. This will ensure we are able to sustain our hospital operations and reduce the risk of needing to cancel any cases due to a lag in test results.”
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDue to a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Luminis Health is declaring contingency protocol at both its hospitals – Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. Since December 1, the healthcare system has seen a 325% increase in treating admitted patients with COVID-19, with 128 COVID-19 patients in its hospitals. This rise in hospitalizations, combined with ongoing staffing shortage, has made it imperative for the health system to take these measures to protect the safety of its workforce and patients. “Under our Emergency Operations Plan, we made the decision to shift to Contingency Standards of Care after careful consideration and discussion,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “While we remain committed to providing the best care at our hospitals, it is becoming increasingly challenging. We continue to work with other health systems, government leaders, and community partners to review our standards of care and strategize next steps, which may include declaring crisis-level standards of care. We need the community’s support now more than ever – please get vaccinated and boosted, and we encourage people to continue masking when outside their homes.” Contingency Standards of Care protocols are used in times of emergency, when the demand for healthcare is reaching a critical point of exceeding the ability of the health system to provide it without instituting special measures. Today’s measures may include adapting documentation requirements, adjusting and prioritizing surgical schedules, delaying non-life-threatening surgeries, and altering care delivery models to ensure our ability to care for patients. These standards of care are based on best practices and guided by ethical principles. “This is a response to another critical surge in COVID-19 cases, combined with the national staffing shortage that impacts our healthcare workers, who have been battling this pandemic tirelessly for almost two years,” said Dr. Sherry Perkins, president for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “With Omicron spreading rapidly across the country and in our own communities, the vaccine and booster provide protection and will minimize COVID-19 symptoms, as well as the severity of the disease if infected. This minimizing of severity has an important impact on reducing hospitalizations and emergency room overcrowding.” The majority of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 remain unvaccinated, which is putting a significant strain on the health system. This includes increased wait times in emergency rooms. “Our emergency rooms are approaching critical levels,” said Deneen Richmond, president at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “Please avoid the ER for non-life threatening issues. For COVID testing and all non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, patients should visit urgent care centers or seek care with their primary care provider. With that said, do not avoid getting care for more serious illness or injuries at the ER.” To find and schedule an appointment with a Luminis Health primary care provider, visit our website http://lhprimarycare.com With regard to surgical operations, effective Monday, January 3rd, all non-urgent surgeries that require an inpatient overnight stay will be postponed to a later date. Urgent and emergent surgeries, as well as ambulatory surgery (outpatient/same day surgery) will continue without impact. There are a number of ways the community can help sustain the strength of our hospitals and end this pandemic, including: In addition to getting vaccinated and boosted, practice the 3W’s to stop the spread. Wear your mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands. Avoid the emergency room for non-life threatening issues and for COVID testing. If you have COVID-19 and are experiencing minor symptoms, please stay at home and contact your primary care physician if you have questions. Avoid crowds and large gatherings. If this is impossible, wear a mask and maintain your distance. Luminis Health has administered 117,000 COVID-19 vaccines. Whether through mobile clinics or walk-in options, we are continuing to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to all who need them now and in the future.
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA year ago this week, Luminis Health launched COVID-19 vaccine efforts at its hospitals in Annapolis and Lanham. Since that time, the health system has administered approximately 117,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the communities it serves. Throughout the year, Luminis Health has given COVID-19 vaccines at its hospitals, businesses, churches, colleges, community centers, housing complexes, and barber shops. Our Community Health Team has reached vulnerable populations by administering COVID-19 vaccines at various mobile clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. “Since the mission of Luminis Health is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve, our Community Health Team is committed to meeting people where they are,” said Chris Crabbs, director of community health for Luminis Health. “We know first-hand that the COVID-19 vaccine saves lives and our mobile vaccine clinics will continue well into 2022.” Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. As of this week, both hospitals have more than 70 patients battling COVID-19. “Our hospitals are near capacity. In fact, hospitalizations have doubled in the past month,” said Dr. Stephen Selinger, chief medical officer for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The vast majority of our hospitalizations are unvaccinated patients. It is crucial for more people to get vaccinated and boosted.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans 16 years and older get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine if they are at least six months after their initial vaccination series. “With a positivity rate surging in Maryland, now more than ever, people need to get a booster shot,” said Dr. Sunil Madan, chief medical officer at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “A booster will help provide additional protection against COVID-19 and will minimize symptoms, as well as the severity of the disease if infected.” Luminis Health is hosting mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Click here to find the one closest to you.
- Sleep, Heart Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you get older, you may find that many of the things you resented as a child, like enforced nap and bedtimes, you actually long for now. And for good reason: recent research suggests it’s good for your overall health. When compared to people who hit the hay between 10-11 pm, researchers found the following associations between bedtimes and heart disease: · 12% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep between 11-11:59 pm · 25% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep at midnight or later · 24% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep before 10 pm Scientists still aren’t exactly sure what’s causing the differences in risk. But one theory is that going to bed too early or too late disrupts your body’s natural clock and throws off your systems, like your heart. A sleep routine tailored to you It can get a little overwhelming to decipher all the latest studies about what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to sleep. But the bottom line is that you shouldn’t worry if you have a late night or two – or just need to hit the sack earlier than usual. Sometimes, that’s your body’s way of telling you it needs a little extra rest. What’s most important is establishing a healthy sleep routine – one that works well for you. And that means one that works with your schedule and makes you feel best prepared to take on tomorrow. Here are some of our favorite tips to help you get the Zzzs your body needs: Be consistent. Sure, you can shoot for bedtime between 10-11 pm, but if your lifestyle or work schedule doesn’t allow for that, the most important thing you can do is go to bed around the same time every night. Find ways to unwind. Before climbing into bed, work some relaxation techniques into your routine. Maybe that’s gentle stretching, listening to gentle music or a short meditation. You can also try taking a warm bath to help calm your mind and body. Give your body regular clues. Beyond bedtime, try to do the same things in the same order every night. Whether it’s a specific order to washing your face, pulling on PJs or cracking open up a book, these can serve as a subtle cue to your body that it’s time to wind down. Set up a sleep haven. Get your bedroom ready for a good night’s sleep. That means no distractions, a comfy mattress and pillows, soft sheets and a comfortable-to-you temperature. Turn off screens an hour before bed. The blue light from screens (TVs, tablets and phones) has been shown to disrupt your body’s natural rhythm when it comes to falling and staying asleep. Have a question about sleep? A good night’s sleep has a host of benefits for your physical, mental and emotional health. If you’re struggling to get the rest you need, let us know. Your doctor can help you find the best approach to bedtime or address any underlying issues, like anxiety or depression, that may be interfering with your sleep schedule. Call your provider today to schedule your appointment or use our search tool to find a provider near you. Author To make an appointment with Dr. Dakheel, please call 301-850-6333.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogU.S. News & World Report has named Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) as High Performing in its inaugural edition of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Out of the 2,700 hospitals nationwide that offer maternity services, the publication recognized 237 hospitals. “Our families deserve the best and this award reaffirms our commitment to providing high-quality care,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “I applaud our physicians nurse midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and the entire team for their hard-work and dedication to the patients we serve.” U.S. News & World Report reviewed clinical and quality data from 2019 relating to maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies. The publication evaluated five key areas, including C-section rates, newborn complications, the rate of breast-feeding, scheduled early deliveries and the option for vaginal birth following previous cesareans. “We are honored U.S. News is recognizing LHAAMC for its inaugural list for Best Hospitals for Maternity Care,” said Monica Jones, chair of Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s services. “When families enter our hospital, they can take comfort in knowing that our dedicated professionals will deliver their baby with the utmost quality and personalized care.”
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