- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center announces Barry Meisenberg, MD, as its new chair of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Meisenberg has lead the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute since 2008, and served as chair for Quality and Health Systems Research since 2012. He has been at the forefront of many health system initiatives and innovations in cancer care. Dr. Meisenberg has also been instrumental in AAMC’s work to reduce opioid prescribing across the health system. Most recently, the Maryland Patient Safety Center recently awarded AAMC the Distinguished Achievement in Patient Safety Innovation Award. “After a national search, our committee unanimously agreed that Dr. Meisenberg was the strongest candidate to lead our medical services into the future,” says Mitchell Schwartz, MD, chief medical officer and president of Physician Enterprise at AAMC. “He is a true leader in his field. We are honored to have him as an integral part of our health system team.” In his new role as chair, Dr. Meisenberg will work to enhance quality outcomes and ensure that the Department of Medicine functions within an integrated system of care, continuously improving performance. Prior to joining AAMC, Dr. Meisenberg was professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He also headed the Division of Hematology/Oncology and was deputy director for Clinical Affairs at the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dr. Meisenberg is widely published in oncology and research journals, and speaks nationally and internationally on diverse topics in cancer medicine. He is also a visiting professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and supports their clinical efforts internationally. Dr. Meisenberg received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in New York and completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.
- Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCertain disabilities can make daily tasks such as turning light switches on and off, talking on the phone or adjusting a thermostat difficult or impossible. For many years, occupational therapists have used environmental control units (ECUs) and assistive technology (AT) to help people manage their disabilities and become more independent. Until recently, this technology has been extremely expensive. But thanks to advances in technology over the last decade, items that once helped people with disabilities are becoming more affordable as “cool” or “high tech” gear for your home. Examples include Amazon’s Alexa, Verizon’s Gizmo watch, and the Ring Video Doorbell. Amazon’s Echo is a portable device that uses voice recognition. You can ask Alexa, the Echo’s witty, charming female voice, to turn lights off and on, play music, answer questions, make phone calls, and order groceries. Verizon’s Gizmo watch is an invention that, a few years ago, looked like it could be in an episode of Star Trek. It’s a simple tool that can store 10 contacts, call 911, serve as a tracking device and measure physical activity. If you’re caring for a parent with mild cognitive impairments, you can use the corresponding phone app to track the person’s movements. Less walking may mean a fall, an illness or the progression of a disease. The TV show Shark Tank turned down the Ring Video Doorbell but it can help people who have a hard time walking. You can see who is at the door without having to rush and risk falling. It also has a function to allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely. All of these items are simple, yet sophisticated, pieces of equipment that were once too expensive for many people. You can now buy a device that used to cost more than $3,000 for less than $150. Because ECUs and AT are now more readily available, occupational therapists can help people live more independently, all with a click of a button. Author Erica Jones, OTR/L, CLT, is an occupational therapist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. You can reach her office at 443-481-1140 or you can request an appointment online.
- Orthopedics, Senior Care, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe first thing you should do is get a proper diagnosis. Many patients with bone and joint pain assume they have arthritis. This can be a dangerous assumption. There are many different causes of joint pain that aren’t related to arthritis. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing the pain. Exercise Moderate exercise is an integral part of treating arthritis. Activities such as walking, swimming, or gardening can help keep your bones strong and your joints limber. Modify Your Activities Proper body mechanics can lead to a more effective use of your body and reduce strain on your joints. Here are some guidelines: Practice good posture Avoid sitting in low chairs to reduce stress on your knees While traveling, get up and move around every hour or so Avoid running and jumping Reduce climbing activities Avoid any activity that causes prolonged discomfort. Take Over-the-Counter Medications/Vitamins As Needed Pain-relievers and anti-inflammatories can help relieve joint swelling and pain. Pain from arthritis may vary greatly from day to day. Start with medications with the least side effects and take them only when necessary. Plus, supplements with vitamins C and D and calcium may be helpful. Ask your doctor what is best for you. Things to Consider: Orthotics/Braces/Assistive Devices: Various devices are available to help minimize pain, discomfort, and stress. They can assist you in accomplishing tasks more simply. Ask your physician or physical therapist if there are devices that would help you. Prescription Medications: When over-the-counter medications are ineffective in reducing the pain, swelling, and stiffness from arthritis then prescription medications may be helpful. Injections: Cortisone injections directly into joints may help relieve both swelling and pain. Surgery: Surgeons specializing in arthritis can provide you with all of the options and help determine if surgery is right for you. To learn more, visit askAAMC.org/Joint. Originally published March 5, 2015. Last updated April 26, 2018.
- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStudies show four out of five adults take over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat pain, fever, allergies, heartburn and other problems. Most of the thousands of OTC medications on the market are safe when taken as directed, as long as they do not interfere with other medications or health conditions. Many people who take OTC supplements may not realize the Food and Drug Administration does not directly monitor or approve these non-prescription drugs. It is important to do your own research to know what you are taking and why. Taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC medication can be dangerous. For example, taking too much acetaminophen, which can be found in pain relievers, can cause severe liver damage or acute liver failure. Read the labels on your OTC medications carefully to prevent accidental overdose. This is especially important if you take more than one medication at a time to relieve multiple symptoms. Know the ingredients, dosages, timing and other instructions. Along with carefully reading labels, you may want to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new OTC medication. Sometimes OTC drugs interact with medications you’ve been prescribed. Those with chronic health conditions are at greater risk of serious adverse reactions while taking OTC medications. Adults age 65 and older are likely to have additional health issues, and take roughly 40 percent of OTC medications consumed. Because of this, seniors should take extra precaution. In general, do not take OTC medications longer than 10 days for pain or longer than three days for fever without consulting your physician. If you have concerns about medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor. To find a primary care doctor near you, visit findadoc.aahs.org or call 443-481-5555. Originally published Jan. 28, 2016. Last updated April 25, 2018.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Achievement in Patient Safety Innovation Award for its efforts to reduce opioid prescribing. The award was one of two top honors presented by the Maryland Patient Safety Center at the 14th annual Maryland Patient Safety Conference on April 13 in Baltimore. Leaders at AAMC began examining internal opioid prescribing practices in the summer of 2016 due to concerns about the linkage between prescription opioids and the rising number of opioid overdoses. Pilot studies found a wide variation in how doctors prescribed opioid painkillers. A multidisciplinary taskforce was formed to address the issue. In September 2017, based upon preliminary results seen in three key clinical areas — orthopedics, the emergency room and primary care — AAMC announced its goal to reduce opioid prescribing across its health system by 50 percent by 2019. In March of this year, AAMC reported that at the end of the first year of intervention, the total amount of opioids prescribed each month was 59 percent less than when it started. “Opioid overprescribing is falling in multiple areas of our health system, with no decline in patient satisfaction with pain management, or return visits to the Emergency Department due to under treatment,” said Barry Meisenberg, MD, chair for quality improvement at AAMC and lead on the health system’s Opioid Taskforce. “This success is based on concerted efforts of hundreds of physicians who altered their customary mode of practice over hundreds of thousands of patient visits, surgeries and hospital discharges.” Award winners were selected by a panel of independent judges who are leaders in the Maryland health care community. In a press release announcing award recipients, President/CEO of the Maryland Patient Safety Center, Robert Imhoff, said: “We congratulate our winners, who through their diligent efforts and strategic thinking have advanced the cause of improving patient safety. Timely and innovative solutions like the ones we are recognizing this year are needed to address the constantly evolving healthcare landscape facing healthcare practitioners in Maryland and beyond.” “We take seriously our role to lead the efforts to address this public health crisis,” Meisenberg continued. “We recognize that it is the beginning of long-term commitment to making an impact on an issue that has plague our communities for decades. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts.”
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