- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes AAMC’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering consumers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care. “Every day people are faced with the important decision of where to receive medical care,” said Victoria Bayless, AAMC president and CEO. “This designation illustrates that patient safety is ingrained in our culture and it also recognizes the strides we have made to streamline processes to offer safe, high-quality care. Patients can trust that when choosing Anne Arundel Medical Center they are receiving the best care available.” “Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades recognize hospitals like Anne Arundel Medical Center that focus on advancing patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This ranking provides an important resource for patients, and a benchmark for hospitals, to determine how care at one hospital compares to others in a region. Hospitals that earn an A Hospital Safety Grade deserve to be recognized for their efforts in preventing medical harm and errors.” Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and grades are free to the public. AAMC was one of 855 hospitals across the U.S. awarded an A in the fall 2018 update of grades. To see AAMC’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHave you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, AAMC is offering free flu shots for community members who are 18 and older through Nov. 27. Stop by one of our free flu vaccine clinics on the first floor of the hospital’s North Pavilion, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 am-midnight Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 am-8 pm Saturday, Nov. 10, 7 am-3 am Monday, Nov. 12, 7 am-4 pm Tuesday, Nov. 13, 4 pm-midnight Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 pm-3 am Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 am-4 pm Saturday, Nov. 17, 4 pm-midnight Sunday, Nov. 18, noon-4 pm Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8 am-8 pm Wednesday, Nov. 21, 4 pm-midnight Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 am-midnight Sunday, Nov. 25, noon-8 pm Monday, Nov. 26, 8 am-midnight Tuesday, Nov. 27, 8 am-midnight READ MORE: Flu vaccine myths: What’s true, what’s not Flu symptoms can include fever, headache, coughing, fatigue, and aches and pains. If you get the flu, you can spread it to others even before you have any symptoms. While the flu shot is not 100 percent effective, it does significantly lower your risk of catching the flu. Flu viruses change often, which is why it’s important to get a yearly flu shot to protect against the current year’s most common flu strains. READ MORE: Do you have the common cold, or the flu? How to tell the difference
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDivorce is never an easy decision for any family, yet for many families it is an unfortunate reality that leads to the formation of a new type of family unit. The ending of a marriage brings out a wide array of emotions that may encompass feelings of guilt, anger, hurt, sadness, happiness, loneliness, or even a sense of relief. Both parties involved will most likely go through one or more of these feelings. As adults, we may find our own outlets for processing these feelings. We eventually learn to cope with the decision that we have made no matter how hard it may have been. But what about the children who are all too often stuck in the middle of two divorcing parents? How do parents make sure they are taking care of their own emotional and financial needs, while catering to the cycling emotions of the child or children who still has an equal amount of love for both parents? Children must never be treated like property or taken for granted when their parents decide to end the marriage. Here are some tips to help your child through the divorce process. Have a conversation as a family Talking to your children is important. However, depending on the age of the child or children, this conversation may look very different. Children are not mini adults, but they are also not oblivious to dysfunction within the household. Children know when parents are no longer showing love to each other. They know when parents are sad or angry at each other. They sense tension at the dinner table, and know when one parent is spending an excessive amount of time out of the house. The conversation does not have to be detailed, but it does need to be truthful. Reinforce the love that you have for them as parents, and inform them of the plans for visitations, and what holidays will look like, if that information has been worked out. If your child is feeling guilty, reassure him or her that the divorce is not the result of anything that he or she did or said. Honesty, warmth, and standing as a parental unit will help children with the transition to a new type of family. Refrain from bad mouthing the other parent Yes, you may be angry, well, very angry, but remember that the person you are saying negative comments about is your child’s mother or father. You may happen to get remarried and have another spouse, but your child will only have one biological mother and father. Save the negative comments for your friends or your therapist, and allow the other parent to be a parent to the children. Co-parent responsibly Co-parenting can be the hardest part of a divorce for many couples. Children are not property, so there should be no fighting over who gets them and when. Do not use them as a bargaining chip in the divorce. Fight over who gets the big-screen TV or the nicer car, but never fight over who gets the children. If the divorce is very messy and you find that talking is not a valid form of communication, I recommend keeping a co-parenting notebook and writing notes in the notebook for your ex-spouse. If you find that text or email is better than actual voice communication, then use electronic communication. Keep the conversations solely about the children, short, and straight to the point. Your child is not your friend or your therapist; stay away from forcing them into those roles. I see this a lot with parents who have older children. Older children are easy venting targets when they are trapped in the car while you drive them to school, practice, or the mall. Children hate playing the role of the “middle man”, and venting forces them to pick a side. Children should not have to be in a position to pick a favorite parent. Children are only born with two parents; both of you can and should be your child’s two favorite people. READ MORE: The 5 emotions you should talk about with your child Never limit visitations as a punishment for your ex-spouse Unless you suspect or there is evidence of any form of abuse, visitation should not be used as a parental reward or punishment. In order to establish healthy emotional development, and adapt to the new family situation, frequent visits with both parents are encouraged. When visits are limited or stopped out of spite, it hurts your child just as much as it is hurting your ex-spouse. Remember the two of you decided to end the marriage; your child did not chose to end his or her relationship with one parent. Remember to pay attention to any behavior changes that your child may have at school or at home. Children display mental health symptoms by acting out or withdrawing. Make sure that you have frequent contact with your child’s teacher, coach, or youth group leader, in case any behavior changes occur at school or in any additional environment. If you feel you need further assistance in helping your child process divorce, please speak to your school counselor or school social worker, or contact a licensed therapist for a consultation. Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- 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.
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