- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith Angelina Jolie in the news recently for preventatively having her ovaries removed—following a preventative double mastectomy just two years ago—many women have questions about genetic counseling and the role it can play in determining your risk for breast and ovarian cancer. If you test positive for one of the main breast cancer genes, called the BRCA genes, you have up to an 85 percent greater lifetime risk for developing breast cancer, as well as an increased risk for ovarian cancer. Plus, if you’ve already had breast cancer there’s a significantly increased risk for having another breast cancer—nearly 65 percent. If you find out you have a genetic mutation that puts you at an increased risk of another breast cancer, this may change your initial surgical decision. Instead of pursuing a lumpectomy or a single mastectomy, you may instead choose a bilateral mastectomy. Also, if you are a BRCA carrier you may elect to have your ovaries removed by a certain age because currently we do not have an effective way to screen for ovarian cancer. Genetic counselors help you figure out the best plan of care if you have or are at risk of having a genetic condition. To make sure you are fully informed before making a decision to proceed with genetic testing, the counselor discusses benefits and limitations, as well as the implications for you and your family of the possible test results. The genetic counselor reviews your medical and family history, providing information regarding the genetics and natural history of hereditary cancer syndromes and reviewing personalized options for risk reduction and increased cancer surveillance. The goal is to provide a comprehensive risk assessment to determine if genetic testing is reasonable and which genetic test is most appropriate. The family history takes into account at least first-, second-, and third-degree relatives to establish whether there’s a pattern of cancer in the family that may indicate an increased likelihood of an inherited mutation. Since the majority of cancer is not hereditary, things such as shared environment and lifestyle factors are important to consider. Taking a complete family history allows the genetic counselor to look for certain red flags that guide the discussion and help identify who can benefit from genetic testing. Ideally, genetic testing starts with a family member who has had cancer because that provides the most useful information for the entire family. While the analysis and interpretation of genetic test results are complex, the test itself only requires a saliva sample or a blood draw and the testing is completed in several weeks. It’s important to know having a genetic mutation does not mean you will definitely develop either breast or ovarian cancer. Figuring out how to address the increased risk is a personal decision that should be made following consultation with your doctor. Genetic counseling can provide information to patients to help them choose the best course of treatment, but ultimately the patient and their family will decide what is best for them. If you think you may be at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor about whether genetic counseling may be right for you. Health insurance often covers genetic counseling, so check with your individual plan. Learn more about genetic counseling at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Author By Ashley Allenby, MGC, CGC, certified genetic counselor at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-4295.
- Community, Women's Health, Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“When did doing something ‘like a girl’ become an insult?” That is the question Always feminine products asked us this year during their Super Bowl commercial. Anne Arundel Medical Center nurses Kristin Seibert and Andréa Williams started asking this question last summer when they decided to train for Race Across America, a 3,000-mile bicycle ride that starts in Oceanside, California, and finishes in Annapolis. And in June 2015, Kristin, Andréa and their team of six other women will become only the second eight-woman team ever to complete the race. “It started as a joke,” says Kristin, a labor and delivery nurse and mom to a one-year-old girl. “Then it kind of spread and got bigger and bigger. Finally, we just knew we had to do it.” And just like that, Bike Like a Girl was born. Initially inspired by that groundbreaking commercial, they have, in a short amount of time, created a brand that stands for strength, digging deep and pushing oneself to the limits. “I see so many girls with negative self images,” says Andréa, a recovery room nurse with two daughters, ages 18 and 20, and a son who is 16. “I want to show them that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it.” Team training consists of cycling five days a week and strength training on days off . With most members being working moms, how do they fit it all in? “It’s a struggle each day,” laughs Andréa. “Some days you have meltdowns. You may miss a workout and it’s okay. Everyone understands.” Bike Like a Girl is raising money for three charities: World Bicycle Relief, Women’s Cycling Association and Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. The team begins the race on June 20, 2015 in Oceanside, CA, with hopes of breaking the existing record and arriving at the finish in Annapolis on June 27. “This was a dream at first,” says Kristin. “I never would have guessed I’d be this close to doing something I once believed was impossible. I want girls to know it’s okay to have a big goal.” For more information, visit BikeLikeAGirl.org. For a free Fitness booklet, click here.
- Community, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDuring his time in the Army, Will Younkin, a biomedical engineer at AAMC, enjoyed with his fellow soldiers what he calls “esprit de corps.” “It’s a phrase that means unity, brotherhood,” he says. Will applies this same concept to his teammates at AAMC. “We depend on each other at the hospital and work toward a common goal: caring for patients and families,” he says. About three years ago, Will had an idea for how to capitalize on this work camaraderie. Partnering with EnergizeSM, AAMC’s wellness movement, Will sent out an email asking who might be interested in forming a work softball team. “We immediately got 56 responses,” says Will, with a smile. So they started with two softball teams. Now, three years later, 180 employees (including some friends and family members) represent “Team AAMC,” competing on three softball teams and two kickball teams. The teams have done well, winning two recreation league championship titles. “There are two rules to follow,” Will says. “Rule #1: Show up. And rule #2: Have fun.” People from a wide spectrum of physical ability as well as job roles—from housekeepers to nurses and doctors to executives—all play together. “People who previously didn’t interact at the hospital now see each other and talk about how they’re going to beat a certain team this weekend,” says Will. Playing a team sport has encouraged other healthy habits in employees. “I know one person who is playing after having a double knee replacement. Others have started running 5K races, something they previously didn’t believe was possible,” he says. What’s next for AAMC team sports? “We just started an indoor volleyball team,” says Will. And he’s looking into organizing some training for extreme sports like the Warrior Dash. Do you think a career with Anne Arundel Medical Center is right for you? Take a look at our current job opportunities and become part of the AAMC family.
- Orthopedics, Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogElbow injuries in young baseball players are an increasingly common problem seen by orthopedic surgeons because the act of throwing creates substantial stress on the elbow. The elbow is protected by a combination of ligaments and muscle that help to dissipate this stress. Repetitive throwing, however, can cause significant injuries including ligament tears, cartilage loss, bone spurs, and even fractures. These injuries, whether treated conservatively or with surgery, lead to a significant amount of time spent on the sidelines. Coaches and parents must understand how to reduce the frequency of these injuries. Prevention starts with limiting the amount of throwing and allowing for proper rest. To reduce injuries, the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following: Players should not throw for three consecutive months during the year. Player should not compete on more than one team during the same season. Players and coaches should follow pitch counts to prevent stress on the elbow (see chart) Players should not throw breaking balls until age 14. Resist the urge to play the same player as pitcher and catcher during the season as this can create stress on his/her elbows. Despite appropriate limits and rest, injuries can still occur. Pain, stiffness, decreased velocity, and decreased accuracy are all potential indicators of a developing elbow injury. Players should not throw through pain. Initial treatment should consist of rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication. If the symptoms do not resolve within seven days, consultation with an orthopedic specialist is recommended. Author By Cyrus Lashgari, MD, orthopedic surgeon at AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists, a practice of Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 410-268-8862.
- Community, News & Press Releases, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRecently, AAMC pharmacists Adrienne Belton and Lucretia Jones used their professional expertise to help a patient on the oncology unit understand how and when to take her medications. They talked with her at length, providing guidance on when to take them, how often, which medications should be taken with food, and possible side effects to look out for. Then they went a step further and assisted the patient in obtaining her medications at the lowest available cost so she could afford them. The patient left the hospital feeling confident in her ability to follow her new medication regimen. These pharmacists embody an emerging role of the pharmacist in the hospital, directly interacting with patients, families and care teams to provide needed medication reconciliation and medication education. Previously, pharmacists spent the majority of their time in the centrally-located inpatient pharmacy performing tasks including dispensing medication, monitoring drug therapy, preparing IV medication, and sterile product preparation. They consulted with physicians and nurses via phone about patients’ therapy, but they almost never visited the units or talked directly with patients and families. Besides the obvious benefits of having a pharmacist do face-to-face consults with patients, families and providers, other potential benefits include decreasing drug costs, reducing hospital re-admissions and increased patient safety and satisfaction. But workflow inefficiencies weren’t providing pharmacists time to talk with patients. Their responsibilities were too broad, leaving them little time for face-to-face patient interactions. So, a team made up of pharmacy leaders, physicians, a nurse, a performance improvement specialist, and an IT specialist, worked together to redesign the pharmacist’s workflow to prioritize work and allow for greater patient interaction. Some of the improvements they made are: They worked with physicians and nurses to increase awareness of pharmacists as an available resource for medication utilization review, medication reconciliation and patient education. They enhanced Epic, the electronic medical record system, to make it easier to prioritize high-risk patients for medication review and education. They collaborated with the charge nurses to improve communication around patient discharges so that the pharmacists could prioritize educating patients who are ready for discharged about their medications. The goal is to free up a total of six hours per day for up to 30 patients to be seen on the units by pharmacists. This will help to ensure these patients receive the appropriate medications while they are here and understand their medications before they go home. They are also spending more time reviewing drug utilization with physicians, educating them on newly available drugs, risks and interactions. This has helped improve medication safety, lower drug costs and increase physician and patient satisfaction.
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