- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen Marvin Page reached to ring the bell after eight weeks of radiation treatment, it was more than a casual gesture. It was a milestone along his 12-month journey as a cancer patient. While the emotion of that delicate moment was partially hidden behind the mask he wore, Page decided to pen a letter to his three radiation therapists about the quality of his care. In his letter, he called them brave. He called them soldiers. “I never saw you waver one time,” Page wrote. “You never spoke fear, doubt or uncertainty and for that I am forever grateful. You are a soldier on the front lines helping people in spite of this pandemic. Thank you for taking care of me.” Between February and April, Page received treatment for prostate cancer at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Weekly he traveled from his Odenton, Maryland, home in the midst of climbing coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the country, armed with a facemask he stored in a brown paper bag. Page said his treatment team – Angel “Ted” Torano, MD, a radiation oncologist at AAMC, and radiation therapists Lydia Capel, Kayla Welsh and Laura Zywicki-Payne – was consistent in its care for him. “They never gave me the appearance that something would be missed or that my treatment would be interrupted,” Page said. “I compared them to soldiers on the front lines because that’s what they were. When you are a soldier on the front line, you have a task to do and you do it – you execute it. That’s what they did.” Safe Care Dr. Torano said Page’s letter describing his experience is a validation of the effort, dedication and care that AAMC strives to deliver on a daily basis to all patients. “Receiving radiation treatment can be a uniquely new and stressful experience,” Dr. Torano said. “Our mission is to deliver high-quality care in a personalized manner. Accomplishing this can be especially challenging during the COVID-19 health care crisis. Despite the strict protocols put in place to minimize the risk of exposure to our staff and patients, such as social distancing and PPE, it is most gratifying to hear we are able to achieve our goal of delivering care in such a supportive manner.” Page, who works as a network printer technician, said he was initially nervous because he didn’t know what safety precautions the hospital planned to take to protect him and other patients during the pandemic. With each visit, he said the medical staff assured him that they were ready to care for him safely. AAMC patient Marvin Page “They were proactive in how they waited on the patients,” Page said. “We all had to wait in our cars before coming in to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The waiting in the car measure helped to ease my anxiety.” Page said he and other patients were asked to wait in their cars briefly as a way to stagger the flow of patients, and as an extra precaution in addition to other safety measures. “We try to make our patients feel safe in these uncertain times,” Zywicki-Payne said. “Our entire department works together to make sure that the patients come first, that there are always smiles and plenty of laughter. We take care of each other so that we can take care of the patients.” The “A Team” Page referred to Dr. Torano and the three radiation therapists as the “A Team,” in reference to Mr. T’s 1980s TV series. As he was writing the letter, Page said he noticed that each of the therapists’ first names ended in an “A” and Dr. Torano’s name starts with a “T.” He said they served as his “A Team” during his radiation journey. “During his treatment we got to know Mr. Page very well,” said Capel, who became a radiation therapist after witnessing her father’s radiation treatment care nearly 10 years ago at AAMC. “We are lucky that we get to see our patients every day, and that we get to build a relationship with them. We get to see him from a hesitant day one where treatment is scary and unknown, to his last day laughing and ringing the bell at the end of his treatment.” Welsh said her time with Page was very memorable. “I like to develop strong bonds with my patients,” Welsh said. “I believe it is very important so that my patients feel a form of trust. I want to be their security blanket during this life-changing time.” As Page’s recent bell ringing represents a milestone in his cancer journey, he wants others to know that they can depend on the team at AAMC to provide quality care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. “No one wants to have cancer, but trust the people who are a part of the process and a part of your care,” Page said. “Trust that they are doing everything possible to help you get better.”
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought many changes to our lives, including our eating habits. Today, frequent trips to the grocery store are not practical or encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend keeping enough nutritious foods in the house that will last for up to two weeks. As such, we may need to take a closer look at what we have on our shopping list and perhaps broaden our horizons with new ways to meet our nutritional needs. There are, however, a few obstacles that make this challenging. For example, you might have to accommodate shrinking household income, consider timing of when to go to the store or work with the limited options of food staples. The following are guidelines to help direct what selections you can make to keep the essentials in your home while keeping costs to a minimum. Stock your pantry First, think about how many people you are shopping for and purchase only what you need to leave some for others, too. Plan for a variety of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Because not all stores will have everything you’re looking for, keep your list flexible. Vegetables: Look for produce that has a longer shelf life, such as broccoli, carrots, celery, onions, leeks, potatoes and cauliflower. If they are out of broccoli, look for other alternatives, such as brussel sprouts or zucchini. Frozen vegetable mixes will help carry you through the two weeks, along with canned diced tomatoes. Fruits: Consider dried fruits, canned fruits packed in juices or water, and fresh fruit packaged in bags such as apples, oranges and kiwi. Beans and protein: Chickpeas, lentils and legumes are healthy options, especially with the meat shortage and likely higher prices for meat. Also consider frozen fish or tuna, salmon and chicken in cans as sources of protein. Other affordable and nutritious options include nut butters and eggs. Starches: These include shelf-stable options such as whole grain rice, pasta and quinoa. Condiments: If you like flavoring your food, some affordable recipe additives include plain nonfat yogurt, soy sauce, broths, spices, vinegars, olive oil and mustard. Dairy foods: Flavored Greek yogurts and plain nonfat yogurt is a great substitute in recipes for sour cream or cream cheese. If the milk refrigerators are bare, shelf-stable dry milk is also an option. Reconsider your options Whether it’s about recipe substitutions or how to get your groceries, there are alternative options out there for you to consider. Don’t know what to do with your leftovers? Use them with what is on hand in other recipes. For example, put dried tomatoes in salads with pine nuts, cranberries in tuna, nuts and raisins in oatmeal. You can get creative when making soups by adding leftovers and using vegetable or chicken broth as a substitute. Think beyond your usual recipe ingredients. If you are making enchiladas and do not have peppers, add zucchini, olives, black beans and taco sauce. Worried about going to the grocery store? Explore your shopping options. If going to the store causes you anxiety, consider purchasing food from places that have delivery options. The fees are reasonable and keep you off the frontlines, especially if you are in a high-risk group. If transportation is not a problem, curbside pick-up can also be an option. Don’t forget that many stores also have special shopping hours for older Americans. While everyone is at home together, consider sharing the cooking responsibilities. Try new dishes or, if you prefer, stick to simple items or familiar foods and tastes that provide you comfort. Plan what works for you and your family. By purchasing a mix of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items, you can create a healthy balanced diet that satisfies both food cravings and budget concerns. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S., according to the Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grades. AAMC is one of only 12 Maryland hospitals to receive an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 report. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. “Patient safety is always a top priority for us, especially now as our country faces the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sherry B. Perkins, president of AAMC. “During this unprecedented time, our hospitals play a key role in keeping our patients, workforce and community safe from harm. It is our priority to safely staff, equip and supply our hospitals now and in the future so that we can continue to provide the best care possible for COVID and non-COVID related illnesses or injuries. We encourage our community to seek care if they are in need – we are safe, ready, and waiting for them.” “As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Anne Arundel Medical Center. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.” “As our country observes National Hospital Week, it is more than befitting to recognize our entire workforce,” Perkins continued. “Achieving this top safety rating is due in large part to our incredible team that is tirelessly devoted to meeting the needs of our patients and community.” The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. Hospitals are graded based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. To see AAMC’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA physical therapist by training, Kelly Rund is used to working in the outpatient world, without the lines, tubes and monitors that are fixtures of a hospital room. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed things. Kelly is one of 36 physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and rehabilitation aides redeployed to work with COVID-19 patients on Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) medical/surgical units as part of the new Prone and Mobility team. Six members of the team are working in AAMC’s Intensive Care Unit. The program has two components. Staff members are trained to “prone” patients, or place them on their stomach. The process takes about an hour and helps mitigate COVID-19 symptoms and increase the amount of oxygen they are getting into their lungs. They are also trained to assist with patients’ mobility, helping them walk around their rooms and do other activities to keep them moving. Kelly, who normally is based at AAMG Physical Therapy’s Edgewater office, says the program has given her an opportunity to support patients emotionally as well as medically. It’s nice for them to see a friendly face, even if it’s hidden behind masks and face shields, she adds. “I feel very thankful just to be someone who can be in there and sit with them,” Kelly says. Christy Wu, AAMC’s inpatient physical therapy manager, says the program began at the start of the pandemic. Clinic staff members were originally redeployed to help patients with their mobility, which decreases their fall risk and the likelihood that they’ll have to return to the hospital. But there was a growing need to have clinical staff on hand to prone position patients. Studies have shown that prone positioning could lead to improved outcomes for patients who are on ventilators. Doctors at hospitals in New York and Massachusetts have seen improvements when COVID-19 patients are placed in the prone position. “You definitely see a difference when you get these patients off of their backs,” says Clarisse Labor, a physical therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy’s Bowie North office. Each team member is trained to do both prone positioning and mobility – it just depends on what and where the need is. AAMC already had mobility training in place for nursing staff and has adapted prone positioning training from Massachusetts General Hospital. “They have amazing clinical skills, and we are putting them where they are needed and helping to support the nursing units,” Christy says. “We’ve had really great feedback from the nursing directors.” Since the beginning of May, the team has prone positioned 150 COVID-19 patients, Christy says. Mobility numbers aren’t yet available. Kelly and Clarisse say their colleagues in the hospital have been supportive and eager to show them the ropes. “It’s been several years since I worked in acute care, and it’s definitely different than outpatient,” Clarisse says. “But the nurses and therapists have been very helpful and I definitely felt welcomed. I feel fortunate that I am still able to help in these times.” Elizabeth Bailey, clinical supervisor on the Observation Unit, added that the team has gone above and beyond their assigned duties. “Today I watched a special needs patient on our unit just beam with pride as they encouraged her, telling her how well she was doing,” she says. “They assisted other patients with ambulation to the commode, and even changed briefs and bed linens as they worked with the patients. This was not expected or even asked of them – they wanted to do it.” Christie Thibeault, nursing manager on the Observation Unit, praised team members for providing an extra set of hands in an extremely busy time. Thanks to the team, nurses can stay focused on other aspects of care. “They have just been phenomenal support for our nursing staff, and have improved the quality of patient care tremendously,” Christie says. A former ICU and trauma nurse, Christie has long been familiar with the benefits of prone positioning and says she’s eager to dive more deeply into how it’s improved COVID-19 patient outcomes post-pandemic. “There’s so much that should come out of this,” she says. “Did it decrease their length of stay? Did it prevent them from going on a ventilator?” Christie is excited to see the impact of this important work.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, President and nurse Sherry Perkins praises today’s nurses for the incredible work they are doing. Today is the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the end of Nurses Week. The World Health Organization (WHO) named 2020 the Year of the Nurse in recognition of Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing. The WHO could not have predicted what nurses and their teammates would see this year with COVID-19, nor the new definitions of health care heroism. In a recent interview with the media about our nurses and the AAMC team, I was proud to tell our community, “They aren’t just heroes; they’re superheroes.” I am often asked to describe patient care; how to do that? In contemplating Nurses Week, I can think about important life events: emergency room visits, a parent in an ICU, the birth of a baby – a nurse is there with a team. A nurse is there knowing and caring, linking tenderness and mastery. Nurses know what it means for humans to be old, sick, weak, complex, and vulnerable. Nurses know how to prevent and treat infections, manage pain, teach, rescue, heal, console, and see problems before they occur. Nightingale was quoted as saying, “Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it.” On my first day of work less than four months ago, I described the AAMC team this way – “the unique mixture of science and caring…progressive expertise of our physicians, the dedication of our nurses, the excellence of our interprofessional clinical support partners, the acumen of our leadership and administrative team, the compassion of our auxilians and volunteers, the devotion of our patient and family advisors, and the governance of our board.” Each of you makes AAMC a unique place for our patients and our community. Even more I am awed by what a team you are. Florence Nightingale would be proud. I know I am. Thank you for what you do for each other and for our patients and families.
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