- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center has received 2018 Most Wired designation by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). AAMC is recognized for being among hospitals and health systems that are at the forefront of using health care information technology (IT) to improve the delivery of care and embracing new technologies that support population management and value-based care. “We are committed to providing the best possible care where and when patients need it,” said David Lehr, chief information officer at AAMC. “This means harnessing technology to create new, dynamic patient interactions and care delivery models beyond the walls of our hospital. We are proud to be recognized for staying at the forefront of technological innovation, helping to improve health care for the better.” The most successful organizations not only adopt technology but apply it strategically to achieve great outcomes, according to an analysis of CHIME HealthCare’s Most Wired survey results. “Health care IT has the potential to revolutionize care around the world, but to meet that potential it must be used strategically,” said Russell Branzell, president and CEO of CHIME. “The technology is important, but leadership and a strategic vision are equally important. The diversity of the organizations that earned Most Wired status this year shows quality care can be achieved almost anywhere under the right leadership. By sharing the best practices in Most Wired, we hope quality care will one day be available everywhere.” HealthCare’s Most Wired, now in its 20th year, traditionally tracked the adoption of health care IT in hospitals and health systems. CHIME took over the Most Wired program and revised the survey questions and methodology this year to highlight strengths and gaps in the industry. The goal is to identify best practices and promote the strategic use of health care IT to elevate the health and care of communities around the world.
- Weight Loss, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeason three of the popular television drama This is Us recently premiered on NBC. During the first episode, one of the main characters, Kate, is diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Commonly referred to as PCOS, this hormonal condition affects nearly 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Timing of the health discovery is particularly important since Kate and her husband are trying to get pregnant. The show has also documented the character’s struggle with her weight since puberty as fans look on with empathy. Kate’s diagnosis now helps to explain her infertility struggles and obesity, as it does for many Americans. What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? The exact cause of PCOS is not clear, but it is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman’s hormones. It mainly affects the small organs that store a woman’s eggs, her ovaries. It can also affect the rest of the body. “Symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, abnormal hair growth, acne and weight gain,” says Dr. Chason. “An evaluation may find higher levels of androgen hormones, glucose intolerance, and enlarged ovaries with a high number of small follicles (cysts). It can be difficult to diagnose because PCOS has a wide range of symptoms. Even professional societies debate the most accurate standards for diagnosis.” Understanding PCOS and fertility The hormonal imbalance contributes to the high levels of androgens, one type being testosterone. Higher than normal androgen levels can prevent ovulation. Ovulation happens when a mature egg is released from an ovary. This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. “Most women with PCOS are not ovulating regularly or at all,” Dr. Chason says. An increase in testosterone causes eggs in the ovaries to never fully mature. The immature eggs then cause irregular ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant. In most women, eggs that do not mature break down. In those with PCOS, the eggs stay trapped in the ovaries and begin to pile up. In addition, many women with PCOS have insulin resistance. The disorder can increase the risk of miscarriage as well as the risk of diabetes before or during pregnancy. The connection between excess weight and infertility Women with PCOS often have difficulties with metabolism. Though gaining weight does not happen to everyone, it is a common symptom. Excess weight interferes with ovulation. It’s also a risk factor for infertility and miscarriage apart from PCOS. This is because obesity changes the release of a key hormone called LH (luteinizing hormone) and also increases testosterone levels. Both contribute to hormone imbalance and immature eggs within the ovary. Dr. Doyle sees many women with PCOS come through her door. “Many of our female patients in the AAMC Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery program suffer from PCOS as they begin their journey,” she says. “Almost 60 percent of women who suffer are obese. Similarly, half of sufferers have metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the possibility of other health risks like diabetes and high blood pressure.” PCOS treatment and the odds of getting pregnant Lifestyle changes are the first line of therapy since exercise and weight loss can alter endocrine changes. This can’t cure PCOS, but it helps reduce symptoms and prevent some health problems. Often, losing weight decreases testosterone levels and regulates menstrual cycles. It also decreases a woman’s risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A full set of treatment for PCOS depends on many things: age, how bad it is, general wellbeing, etc. Dr. Chason says that for women with PCOS who are not trying to get pregnant, birth control pills can normalize periods and decrease abnormal hair growth. The pill regulates testosterone. For women who would like to be pregnant, oral medications are available to induce ovulation. There is also in vitro fertilization (IVF), as Kate tries on the show. “Even with fertility treatment, a healthy weight is key to having a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” says Dr. Chason. “If a woman has irregular periods, a couple should find a specialist right away for an evaluation rather than keep trying on their own. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking expert help can make a world of difference.” READ MORE: 7 tips for successful weight loss Weight loss surgery Another option to help PCOS sufferers become pregnant is weight loss surgery. “I’ve had many patients who had weight loss surgery,” Dr. Chason says. “All of them saw an improvement in their overall health, often stopping their blood pressure or diabetes medications. In addition, their periods became more regular. Some of them then got pregnant on their own. Others still needed help, but they responded more quickly and easily to fertility treatment.” Dr. Doyle says her team has helped hundreds of patients find a path to a healthier life. The nutrition planning and weight loss surgery relieves many of the symptoms related to PCOS. In fact, the rate of PCOS in weight loss surgery patients falls nearly 60 percent before surgery and another 7 percent after surgery. This success stems from patients both losing weight and maintaining their weight loss. “Almost 90 percent of PCOS patients resume normal menstrual cycles after surgery. Nearly 60 percent also report improvement in other PCOS symptoms, like less abnormal hair growth and better control of hormones.” Authors Have you recently been diagnosed with PCOS or are struggling to get pregnant? Find help today. Dr. Courtney Doyle has offices in Annapolis and Easton. To learn more and meet Dr. Doyle, register to attend a free weight loss surgery seminar as the first step. Call her office at 443-481-6699 or visit our website to sign up online. You can visit Dr. Rebecca Chason at the Shady Grove Fertility Center in Annapolis. To schedule a consultation, call 410-224-5500 today.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn 2015, Rebecca Blizzard was about to begin a new chapter of her life in more than just one way. The year she turned 40 was the same year she chose to follow the cancer screening guidelines for detecting cancer early. After scheduling a visit with her doctor for her first-ever mammogram, results showed something wasn’t right. She went for a biopsy. It was breast cancer. In June 2016, she had a lumpectomy at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) followed by six weeks of radiation therapy to lower the risk of her cancer coming back. It wasn’t until a few months later that she would find out she tested positive for BRCA2, sometimes referred to as the “breast cancer gene.” Rebecca proceeded with the removal of her breasts. “At this point I didn’t want to take any chances, so I decided to have a double mastectomy,” she says. Her doctor referred her to Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery for options regarding breast reconstruction. “After hearing all of my options, I chose a DIEP flap reconstruction,” Rebecca says. “That’s where I learned about the nipple tattooing procedure since my nipples could not be saved.” A new option AAMC’s Chief and Medical Director of Plastic Surgery Devinder Singh, MD, and Virginia “Ginny” Lobach, M.S., PA-C, informed Rebecca about breast reconstruction options, including nipple tattooing. As an alternative to nipple areolar reconstruction, which requires surgery, this caught her attention. “I was nervous about how another surgery would impact me,” she says. “I’m young and in my head, I didn’t want to not have anything. Ginny told me she recently trained to do 3D nipple tattooing, so I was all in for it.” Whatever your age, relationship status or orientation, it’s hard to predict how you will react to losing a part of your breast. According to breastcancer.org, there are many feelings an individual can experience when giving up a part of the body that is a hallmark of becoming a woman – including anxiety, uncertainty and sadness. This is the reason Dr. Singh and Lobach wanted to bring 3D nipple tattooing to AAMG Plastic Surgery. AAMG Plastic Surgery is unique in that it offers patients several innovative breast reconstruction options, including tissue expansion with Aeroform AirXpanders, pre pectoral implants, and microvascular deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) procedures. 3D nipple tattooing is part of this comprehensive list. “It gives normalcy back to a patient,” says Lobach, who started the clinic after taking a course to learn the 3D technique of nipple tattooing. “I think nipple tattooing is for the woman who says, ‘I don’t want to look at my breasts,’ and doesn’t feel comfortable in her own skin. I want to give back that comfort. I want to create a full breast.” What is it? 3D nipple tattooing is done at the end of breast reconstruction after the nipple is removed during the mastectomy. It’s a noninvasive approach that Lobach performs in the office using a needle and pigmentation to create a 3D-looking nipple and areola. This approach creates an image of a nipple that feels flat to the touch but looks real. “Tattooing is the least invasive, low-risk way of providing a patient with a complete breast,” Lobach says. “Nipple reconstruction has been around for a long time as part of breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, reconstruction means another operation taking skin from somewhere else to create an areolar and nipple, leaving additional scars. The nipple usually loses projection after a year.” According to Lobach, the aesthetic results of nipple reconstruction are not as pleasing as a 3D nipple tattoo. “Working with the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center, we get to see many breast reconstructions that do not have the end result of an areola and nipple,” she says. “I saw that patients were not finished. And many were just OK with that result. They didn’t want to go through another operation. With 3D nipple tattooing, we are able to offer a completed breast reconstruction without another operation.” Is it safe? “Nipple tattooing is a safe technique and it’s always my patients’ choice,” Lobach says. “I want it to be an option so the patient can make their decision either way.” Despite a lingering negative connotation attached to tattoos by some, a 3D nipple tattoo is a safe alternative to regaining a full-looking breast after a patient has been diagnosed with breast cancer. There is a difference between the tattoo pigmentation Lobach uses and that of the one used at a tattoo shop. “I use an organic pigmentation made from lake salts,” she says. “I only like to use very safe products with very low risk of infection. It’s the same type of pigments that are used for cosmetic and facial tattooing. The pigment is a very soft and beautiful color. The patient also has a choice in the color we choose for tattooing.” Tattoo artists, on the other hand, often use metal-based pigments containing titanium, led or chromium. 3D tattoos are permanent but like any tattoo, will fade over time. Usually only one session is needed to create the tattoo, but an additional touchup session may be required over time. When a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is one of the scariest times of their lives. It can change them completely, particularly physically. Once a person has beaten cancer, they can focus on rebuilding themselves emotionally and physically. “I feel like the tattoo gave me my confidence back, which I needed after everything that happened,” Rebecca says. “It made me feel more comfortable looking at myself in the mirror.” Nipple reconstruction is often the last step in breast reconstruction. Find out more about our different options and schedule an appointment with AAMG Plastic Surgery today.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent of four, I understand how stressful it can be to carry that title. Being a parent means carrying a world of responsibilities. We have to watch out for all sorts of external triggers – think peer pressure, social media and school shootings – to help our children navigate through this world as best as possible. And we’re also needed to help them through their various developmental stages. One of those stages is puberty and all the mood swings that come with it. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced the eye-rolling, the snappy response out of nowhere, and the need to ask the same question multiple times before something gets done (asking them to look up from their phone during dinner!). Sometimes those behaviors are normal, it’s your child navigating new emotions and developmental changes. But sometimes, it’s a result of something more than just puberty or “kids being kids.” I have been working in the mental health field for the past 30 years and a lot has changed. What used to be a slight increase in mental health problems reported over the years has turned into an ever-increasing peak. But why? Think about everything that society has dumped on kids nowadays: Anxiety based on school safety, higher expectations, challenging curriculums and, of course, there’s social media. This is a lot of “weight” for a child to carry. How do you know what’s normal and what’s not? Here are a few warning signs that can help you tell if your child needs another layer of support and/or professional help: Elementary Age Change in behavior or change in play (hitting, bullying, biting). Intensity of emotions (anger or fear). Increased physical complaints. Change in sleep patterns (nightmares). Difficulty concentrating. Middle School Age Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger. Difficulty relating to peers. Thinking and/or talking about suicide. Avoidance of friends and social activities. Confused thinking or problems concentrating. High School Age Excessive worry or fear. Feeling excessively sad or low. Extreme mood changes. Abuse of substances (alcohol and drugs). Thinking and/or talking about suicide. The best thing you can do as a parent is provide a safe, nurturing home and community with realistic limits on social media and screen time. Give them a sense of stability and a true balance of exercise, activities, nutrition, family meals and something I call the “gift of time” for optimal emotional health. The gift of time is listening without interruption and giving one’s full attention if even for 15-30 minutes a day. Take the time to listen – really listen – to your child without interruption and judgement. Encourage them, foster their independence and above all, love them unconditionally! Providing stability among our world’s instability is one of the most critical components to supporting our children and teenagers. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Author Cindy Radovic, MA, BA, BSN Board Certified, is the manager of Mental Health Services at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Emergency Department. To schedule an appointment with her, call 443-481-3519.
- General Page Tier 3BlogThese vegetable-based zucchini noodles, also known as “zoodles,” are the perfect pasta substitute for a lighter option. Here’s a tip: it works best if you have a spiralizer or spiral cutter. These tools are available at most kitchen stores and often only require turning a handle after cutting off the ends of your zucchini. Try this easy-to-follow recipe for a healthy dose of vegetables, most of which you can find at your local farmers market. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 yellow onions 4 small zucchini, spiral cut ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes ½ cup sliced mushrooms 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons low-sodium teriyaki sauce 1 tablespoon sesame seeds ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger INSTRUCTIONS Heat oil in a wok or medium-sized pan over medium heat. Add onions, and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until translucent and tender. Add other vegetables including the spiral cut zucchini and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds; mix and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Remove from heat and serve. Yield: 4 servings Originally published Aug. 1, 2016. Last updated Oct. 17, 2018.
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