- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter a year of lockdown, quarantine and social distancing, you’ve never been more ready to take advantage of the long summer days. We get it. But before you grab your grilling apron, beach towel or hiking boots, it’s important to know that with many outdoor activities and beloved holiday traditions comes a spike in accidents and injuries. In fact, every year emergency departments across the country prepare for an annual surge in visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 130 million emergency room visits in 2018, with a third of them happening during the summer months. Learn more about what calls for a Band-Aid and a Popsicle — but also when emergency medical care is needed. Bites The more time you spend outside, the more susceptible you are to bites from beasts and bugs of all shapes and sizes. Dog bites A dog bite may need stitches if it’s deep. Consider seeking medical advice if it begins to show these signs of infection, even after washing it regularly: Redness Swelling Warmth Whitish-yellow discharge Insect bites For some people, insect bites and stings can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. Watch for symptoms, such as: Difficulty breathing Dizziness Swelling of the face Nausea Hives Diarrhea, stomach cramps Broken bones and sprains Whether you’re on the bike trail, trampoline or ballfield, there are endless ways to take a fall that results in a nasty twist or break. Get to your local emergency department if you: Are unable to move fingers with an arm injury or toes with a leg injury Experience heavy bleeding Have bone pushing through your skin or a visually out-of-place or misshapen limb Burns Grills, fire pits, campfires and, no surprise, fireworks are all hot spots for summertime burns. Any activity that involves fire or extreme heat in any form requires vigilance, distance and extreme caution.Serious burns, burns to your eyes, mouth and hands, or burns that cover a large area, need emergency care. A few important notes before you head there: Do not remove clothing stuck to burned skin Do not put anything on the burn Keep burned areas elevated until you get to the emergency department to reduce swelling Sunburn Some sunburns can be severe (often referred to as “sun poisoning”). Watch for these symptoms: Dehydration Chills Confusion Headache High fever Nausea Severe pain Cuts Running barefoot? Chopping a salad or summer fruits? A deep cut can happen in an instant. A wound likely needs a stitch or two if it’s: Bleeding enough to soak through bandages, even after applying direct pressure for five to 10 minutes Filled with debris like glass or gravel More than a half an inch long Ragged (rather than what looks like a clean cut) Other wounds — such as animal or human bites or wounds with a dirty, rusty or pointed object — that go deep into the skin may not need stitches but could require other treatments such as a tetanus booster shot. Falls While most falls don’t land you in the emergency department, they can leave you with more than a goose egg. Be on the lookout for head injuries that may not be visible. Go to the emergency department if you see signs, such as: Balance problems Confusion, disorientation Loss of consciousness Nausea or vomiting Seizure Food poisoning Heat can wreak havoc on picnic food favorites. If cold foods aren’t kept cold and hot foods hot, dangerous bacteria invite themselves to things like potato salad and burgers. Signs of food poisoning can show up within hours of eating contaminated foods and will likely include: Abdominal pain and cramps Fever Nausea Vomiting Watery or bloody diarrhea If you are having severe or prolonged symptoms, it’s time to go to the emergency department. When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulance Every second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulanceEvery second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: Chest pain Difficulty breathing Slurred speech Spinal injuries, such as from diving or jumping in water Swelling of the tongue or face from an allergic reaction Stroke symptoms, such as any new numbness or tingling Having trained medical personnel come to you can make a lifesaving difference. Don’t forget to look for the closest emergency department in your community and have the address handy. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center 8118 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706 Author Amber Marshall, MD is Assistant Medical Director of LHDCMC’s Adult Emergency Department Author Michael Remoll, MD is Medical Director of LHAAMC’s Adult Emergency Department
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health agrees with the Maryland Hospital Association consensus statement regarding hospital requirements for employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As always, our priorities are the care and safety of our employees, members of our medical staff, patients, and visitors, and we use science and data to guide us in such decisions. At this time, nearly 75% of our employees, volunteers and medical staff have received a COVID-19 vaccine. In the coming weeks, Luminis Health will continue to educate our workforce about the benefits of comprehensive workforce vaccination, as well as address any concerns about the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination will become a requirement for our workforce in the near future. There will be exceptions for religious and medical reasons. As always, we are committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the communities we serve.
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne in five children today are clinically obese, according to U.S. data. That’s a staggering statistic. Practicing an active lifestyle at an early age with your children is important. Whether you’re making it a family priority for the first time, or if COVID-19 has temporarily derailed you and you need to get back on track, here are ideas to get outside and active this summer. Understand Obesity in Kids As kids grow and develop, their body weight naturally fluctuates a bit as they go through various stages. At your child’s yearly checkup, the doctor will measure their weight and compare it to growth charts, your child’s personal history and your family history to make sure they’re staying in a healthy range. Children become overweight for a variety of reasons. Some reasons include family eating habits, community factors, what they eat and drink and how much exercise they get. Unfortunately, being overweight can set a child up to experience serious issues, such as: Breathing problems Heart disease Joint problems Social problems Type 2 diabetes Make Time to Play: 60 Minutes a Day With busy family schedules and children spending more time in front of screens, there can be fewer hours in the day to let them run, jump, climb and swing. But it’s worth making an intentional plan if you’re worried your child isn’t getting enough physical activity. Remember: Kids aged 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day Kids aged 3 to 5 should stay active throughout the day to help their growth and development Anything that gets your kiddos up and moving — and gets their heart rate up — is a great place to start. Aim to allow both structured and unstructured activities. Work to help your child find physical activities they enjoy so they’re more likely to keep it up. Move Forward Together A great way to help your kids lead a healthy lifestyle is to lead one yourself. They’ll learn from your example. It helps when everyone feels like they’re on the same team. Try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Cut back on sugary drinks and make regular physical activity a priority. Take a look at your summer calendar to make sure you’ve included enough regular, active play. If you want to kick-start a new routine, here are a few ideas to get moving as a family: Plan Backyard Hangouts: Blow bubbles and see who can catch the most Build a backyard obstacle course Chalk out a hopscotch or scooter-trick course Follow each other’s lead with Simon Says Plant a garden or work together in the yard Relive Your Youth: Get competitive with frisbee, kickball or tug of war Have a jump rope or hula hoop contest Make a slip ‘n slide using a plastic tarp Play hide and seek or tag outside Teach each other your coolest dance moves Take Your Fun on the Go: Check out an interesting local attraction Get together safely with friends at the playground or pool Head out on a family bike ride Make a picnic to take to the park Walk the dog (or a neighbor’s dog!) Enjoy a Healthy Summer Get out and enjoy yourself. It will feel great to take in some fresh air — and to get back to your favorite physical activities. As long as you plan ahead and follow local health and safety guidelines, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a very active and healthy summer with your kids. Author Scott Eden, MD, is a practicing family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Group Chesapeake Family Medicine in Annapolis.
- Community, Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer is prime time for frequent trips to water parks, pools, beaches and lakes. Unfortunately, it’s also the high season for drowning and even dry drowning that occurs after swimming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries. The key to prevention is water safety education. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning water activities this summer: Learn to swim. The American Association of Pediatrics recommend children start swimming lessons around age one. You can find lessons at your local pool. Learn CPR and first aid. In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, your CPR and first aid skills could save someone’s life. Find CPR and first aid certification programs online in your local area. Use the buddy system. Never swim alone. Wear a life jacket when on a boat, raft, inner tube, kayak or canoe. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. If you have a pool at home, make sure you have the proper safety mechanisms (i.e., gates, latches, locks, etc.) in place to prevent accidents. We all love to have fun, but we must do our part to protect others and ourselves by practicing water safety. If you have questions or concerns about preparing for summer activities, your primary care physician can help. Authors Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, is a primary care physician with Luminis Health.
- Community, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health has reached a major milestone. The health system has given more than 100,000 vaccines in our communities. Luminis Health can now provide more shots in arms, thanks to a $2.2 million state grant. The funding will be used to expand efforts to bring COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable residents in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) provided the funding to increase Maryland’s statewide vaccination rate. The new program awarded $12 million to hospital systems to expand and improve existing mobile and community-based vaccination programs. Luminis Health will use the funds to expand its mobile vaccination program. Since January, our Health & Wellness Team has administered shots at businesses, homeless shelters, senior centers, low-income housing communities, barber shops, churches, and community events. Through our mobile program, the health system will provide more than 41,000 additional vaccinations in 14 target zip codes across Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. “We need to meet people where they are,” said Christine Crabbs, director of Community Health at Luminis Health. “This additional funding will allow us to help our vulnerable residents who face challenges such as poverty and lack of access to health care, technology, and transportation. We will go door-to-door if necessary to get shots in arms.” Luminis Health will work with more than one hundred community partners on this project. “Consistent with our new 10-year strategic plan, Vision 2030, Living Healthier Together, we are focused on partnerships, public health, and care beyond the walls of the hospitals,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “Since our mission is to enhance the health of the people we serve, it is our honor and duty to vaccinate as many as we can, to bring this pandemic to an end. Keitarree Smith of Annapolis received the 100,000 vaccine during a clinic at Mt. Olive AME Church. He was presented with a $100 Visa gift card and a special sign.
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