- Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogShould my child get a COVID-19 vaccine? Many parents and guardians are asking this question, especially before the first day of school. Here are some answers to common concerns. Is My Child Eligible? Right now, anyone 12 and older can get the Pfizer vaccine. If your child is 18 and older, they are eligible to receive Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children get the first vaccine available to them. How Does The Vaccine Work? COVID-19 vaccines essentially teach your immune system to recognize and make antibodies to fight the virus. After the second dose, it takes about two weeks for your body to build up immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. Full immunity to the Johnson & Johnson dose occurs two weeks after the single dose. It is still unclear how long immunity from the vaccine will protect people. Is The Vaccine Safe For Children? All vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. After getting the vaccine, you can still get the virus, but cases are less severe and bad outcomes significantly reduced. Vaccines also dramatically reduce asymptomatic infection, which is important in decreasing the overall transmission of COVID-19. What About Side Effects? Like adults, some, but not all, children experience minor side effects. They can include: Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site Fever Chills Headache Fatigue Nausea Pain in muscles These symptoms typically last 24 to 48 hours. According to the CDC, there are no known long-term effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. I’ve Heard A Lot About Myocarditis, Should I Be Concerned? Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, is an extremely rare side effect. According to the CDC, a small number of adolescents and young adults have experienced mild cases of myocarditis after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. It is mainly seen in males ages 16 to 30 and can include abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breath or chest pain. Since most recover on their own, it is still safer to get the vaccine rather than COVID-19 because the virus can affect the heart. Does The COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Female Infertility? There is no evidence to support an impact on fertility. The CDC has tracked more than 35,000 pregnant women who received the vaccines. There was no increase in miscarriage or adverse outcomes for these women or their babies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women get a COVID-19 vaccine. It can protect you from severe illness from the virus. Be sure to talk to your doctor or child’s pediatrician if you have questions and concerns. What If My Child is Under 12? Clinical trials are underway to determine if COVID-19 vaccines are effective in children under 12. In the meantime, keep encouraging your children to practice the ‘3Ws’: wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance. These three, simple practices can greatly reduce your and your child’s risk of COVID-19. What Should I do When My Child Returns to School? (Updated Aug. 25, 2021) Due to the circulating and highly contagious Delta variant, CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status. Getting all vaccine-eligible children vaccinated will help the overall school community to remain safe. Also, please keep your children home from school if they are sick. Authors Dr. Lauren Fitzpatrick is the medical director of Pediatrics ER/Inpatient at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Dr. Asha Payne is medical director of Children’s National Emergency Department at Doctors Community Medical Center.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEthlyn’s story: Ethlyn Carroll of Mechanicsville, Md., underwent several surgeries for gynecological cancer in 2021. After feeling unheard by her physician, Ethlyn decided to contact Dr. Monica Jones, chair of Women’s and Children’s services for Luminis Health. “I sought a second opinion, and I am so glad I did. Dr. Jones and her team welcomed me,” Ethlyn says. Dr. Jones referred Ethlyn to radiation treatment at the DeCesaris Cancer Institute (DCI). Instead of driving one hour each way from her home to DCI, Ethlyn and her husband decided to stay at the Hackerman-Patz House, an affordable accommodation option for LHAAMC patients. “Ms. Cati Revelle [manager of the Hackerman-Patz House] welcomed us with open arms,” Ethlyn says. Before starting radiation treatment, Ethlyn had a simulation done by Radiation Therapist Leah Vinson. “She was so warm and loving. I thought this is the way everyone should be treated,” Ethlyn says. Ethlyn and her husband go home on the weekends and enjoy being active members of their church, including through virtual bible study and Sunday service. Ethlyn is also a writer. She is working on her second book of poetry. Throughout this journey, Ethlyn says God and her husband have been her source of strength. “No one can take care of me like my husband, Gary, can.”
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogZoom has made it easier for us to attend meetings and stay connected, but it may also be contributing to burnout. So, why does Zoom burn us out? A 2021 study observed video conferencing communication increased the cognitive demands of participants. This happens because users have to coordinate the conference call, create the illusion of eye contact and physical presence, read incoming messages, and process the content on the call simultaneously. Here are some practices that can help you prevent fatigue. Ground Yourself Take a moment for you. Try moisturizing your hands, having a snack, filling a water bottle, or taking a breath break before you log into your Zoom meeting. Take Breaks Schedule mini buffers between meetings. Use that time to stretch, take a lap around your house, or do a few desk exercises. It’s Okay to Cancel Advocate for your mental and emotional wellbeing because only you know what you need. Ask if you are a “need to have” or a “nice to have” at the meeting. If you don’t need to be there, it’s okay to ask for notes in lieu of attending. You can also ask someone else to take notes for you, request a recording to watch later, or ask if you can reschedule for another day. Finally, before adding another Zoom to the schedule, ask yourself a few questions: Could this be an email? Could this be a phone call? If you answer yes, it’s okay to suggest or schedule an alternative way to get the work done. Authors Anne Gotimer is manager of WellBeing and Engagement for Luminis Health.
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEach cancer journey is unique. At Luminis Health, we want to shine a light on these journeys from the perspective of our own patients and staff. That’s why we’ve started this new series – bringing hope and comfort to those who have been touched by cancer. Carol Brumsted’s story: I’ve worked as a registered nurse at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) for 20 years. For the first 14 years, I performed in-patient IV therapy. Then I moved to the outpatient infusion center in the cancer institute where I still work. LHAAMC has grown since I’ve been here, but some things have remained the same — like its commitment to patients and the community. The outpatient infusion center has really grown since I’ve been here. When people come to us for treatment, they’re not coming to see just the surgeon or medical oncologist. They’re also meeting with a social worker, dietician, nurse navigator, oncology rehabilitation specialist, and a financial social worker. We don’t turn anyone away based on what they can afford. Our finance coordinators will do everything they can to help a patient with costs, like working to find less expensive alternatives to medicines or helping patients apply for aid through state or federal programs. A couple of my colleagues are cancer survivors themselves. Several have been caregivers to family members, which gives them an extra connection to their work. I lost my husband to pancreatic cancer two years ago, and he received excellent care here at LHAAMC. Knowing what I know as an oncology nurse, I wouldn’t have had him go anywhere else. LHAAMC has always had a community hospital feel, and even though we’ve grown in scope over the years, I think we still have that feel. My own team and I work with homeless shelters in the area and people in need in the community. We’ve provided lunches, holiday meals and have filled backpacks with school supplies. I also love that we’ve continued to expand community outreach, offering preventive medicine and wellness programs including mental health care. Being there for our patients and community, making sure they’re safe and have consistent, first-rate care, is what it’s all about.
- Community, Employee Spotlight, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBilled as a “Welcome Back” celebration for the July Fourth Weekend, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley invited healthcare workers to lead the Annapolis parade as part of a citywide “thank you” for helping to get us through the pandemic. A group of healthcare heroes from Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) proudly marched behind a banner celebrating COVID-19 Front Line Workers. “After this most challenging year, it is nice to be honored by the communities we serve,” said Barbara Jacobs, Vice President, Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “I am proud to walk with all the doctors, nurses, and staff who worked tirelessly to care for patients during the pandemic. They are all incredibly brave and appreciate this recognition. Thank you Mayor Buckley for leading the effort to honor our health care teams.” This comes at a time when COVID numbers have drastically decreased in the last two months. With both state and county positivity rates now under 1%, LHAAMC ended its COVID-19 Incident Command structure July 1, 2021. In the past week, the hospital had fewer than three COVID related hospitalizations. “As someone who has been on the frontlines during the pandemic, it’s a relief to see us heading in the right direction,” said Jean Murray RN MSN CIC, System Director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology. “The COVID vaccine has led us to this moment. I am proud to celebrate America’s Independence and the end of COVID-19 restrictions. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to help end this pandemic.” Luminis Health has administered more than 101,500 vaccines in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. The health system recently received a $2.2 million state grant to expand efforts to bring COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable.
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