Overnight efforts by our teams have led to steady progress, and our network systems are in the process of being restored.
Patient care remains our top priority and continues safely without interruption.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we fully restore our network.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWeekend warriors are people who only participate in activities in their spare time. They may or may not maintain a routine exercise program and then participate in vigorous activities over a short or abbreviated period of time. Does this sound like you? Frequently, this is a recipe for injury. Here are some of the most common injuries weekend warriors experience: Hamstring, Quadriceps and Calf Muscles These are often strained or torn when they’re forcefully moved while stiff or weak. Treatment: Rest, compression, elevation, gentle stretching, avoiding activity. Tendons Knee tendons are especially prone to injury if they haven’t been stretched properly before activity. Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, using a brace, activity modification, ice. However, if a tendon tears, the only treatment is surgery. Intra-articular Knee Injury (inside the knee) These include meniscal tears, ligament tears, and cartilage injuries. They can be prevented by strengthening the muscles around the joint. Treatment: Injuries can range widely in severity. Likewise treatment may range from rest, using a brace, or getting injections to physical therapy or surgery. Although the knee is often injured in the weekend warrior, this can be prevented. A good routine exercise and stretching program during the week can significantly reduce the likelihood of a major knee injury and either loss of playing time or need for surgery to reconstruct a knee. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Luminis Health Orthopedics. To reach him, call 410-268-8862. Originally published March 10, 2015. Last updated June 16, 2020.
- Cancer Care, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all of us in ways we never saw coming. And, we are now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel – though we will feel the pandemic’s impact in our country, and around the world, for quite some time. We never stopped taking care of those with cancer. But, we did have to change how we delivered care as we prepared for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients. Now, we are beginning to see the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations decreasing statewide. We know many people have questions about whether it’s safe to go to the hospital right now. Here’s what we want you to know. Do not delay your medical care because you are afraid to come to the hospital. I want to stress that this is not a good idea and can put your health at risk. Please know that we have safety procedures in place to protect you. Some of these include protected check-in and check-out practices, face masks for everyone on our campus, daily screenings for all employees and patients, and COVID-19 testing for all patients who are scheduled to undergo surgery. We can safely serve the needs of our community. Especially when it comes to cancer prevention and delivering cancer care. We changed how we manage the processes around cancer screening. This includes cancer screening services such as colonoscopies, mammograms, skin exams, and PAP smears or wellness exams. For physical distancing, we offer same-day appointments with waiting room limits. We also screen all patients for COVID-19 before procedures such as colonoscopies. We are open to care for you, with your health and safety as our top priority. You have more options than ever to “see” your doctor. Telehealth visits with your doctor are just like a FaceTime call, but better. Though the pandemic forced us to learn to communicate with our patients in new ways, I can tell you that telehealth is here to stay. It has given us a convenient method to meet with you and discuss your concerns. However, we will still happily meet with patients face-to-face. This is an important part of our personalized approach to care. To all of our cancer survivors, we urge you to stay in contact with your doctor. That could include your medical oncologist, your primary care doctor, your nurse navigator or any member of your cancer care team. Keep regular appointments and let them know of any changes in your health. We are here for you. We look forward to providing safe, effective and efficient care to all of our cancer patients now and into the future. Author Adam I. Riker, M.D., F.A.C.S., is chair of Oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s DeCesaris Cancer Institute.
- Community, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery day we learn something new about the coronavirus (COVID-19). But as we continue to gather new information, myths about the virus have also been spreading fast. It is critical that we are able to tell apart facts and misinformation, especially as it impacts vulnerable communities. Current data shows an unequal burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups are traced to economic and social conditions, such as living conditions, work circumstances, underlying health conditions and access to care. Here are the facts: Truth 1: COVID-19 has the potential to affect everyone. COVID-19 impacts all races and ethnicities. However, older people and people with other underlying health conditions – such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes – are at a higher risk of getting seriously ill. Truth 2: It is not proven that certain hot drinks or foods will prevent infection. There is no evidence that drinking hot fluids, lemon juice or alcohol, or eating hot peppers or garlic, will prevent you from getting COVID-19. There are two different paths just past our tongue. One is our esophagus for food and liquids. The other is our trachea for breathing. Inhaling small droplets of the virus is the most common way the virus enters our bodies. Truth 3: Children, teens and young adults can get the virus. The virus infects people all ages. However, older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Truth 4: Bathing in hot water does not prevent the virus. Taking a hot bath after exposure to COVID-19 will not kill the virus inside your body. Your best defense is preventing exposure. For example, washing your hands often, wearing a face covering and physical distancing from people who aren’t in your household. Since distancing from people is not always an option for everyone, wearing a mask or facial covering is especially important. Frequent and thorough hand washing is best. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also an option when access to soap and water is limited. Truth 5: It’s possible that if you don’t feel sick or show any symptoms you can still spread the virus. Many people who feel well can actually have COVID-19 and spread it. It’s important to follow the CDC’s recommendation to wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance from others. Truth 6: Hospitals are safe. Hospitals are safe, ready and open to provide you safe expert care, including preventive appointments, select surgeries, procedures and diagnostic testing. Safety protocols are in place to offer the highest standards of care. Our doors are open and we are ready to treat patients with non-COVID related medical needs in a safe environment. Truth 7: Everyone can seek medical care. Seeking medical attention will not make any legal processes, like getting a green card, more difficult in the future. Everyone should seek medical care if needed. As we continue to learn more about this pandemic, it’s important that you take care of yourself. Do not delay or be afraid to seek medical care when you need it. Authors Tamiko Stanley is the director of Diversity and Inclusion at Luminis Health.
- Cancer Care, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe are living in a time of great uncertainty due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic has forced us to stay home, change our behaviors and in many cases, cancel our plans. But one activity you shouldn’t postpone or cancel is getting a mammogram. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that allows doctors to look for changes in breast tissue. It is the best tool doctors have for early detection of breast cancer. If you are scheduled to get a mammogram this year, here are some important things to remember. Early detection is key With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In the U.S., one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer. But they can save your life by detecting cancer early, typically before a lump can be felt and when it is the easiest to treat. This is why our survival rates are so high. The five-year survival rate for all breast cancer cases is 90 percent. But, when breast cancer is found early and hasn’t spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. There are two types of mammograms, screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Radiologists use screening mammograms to look for signs of breast cancer in women without symptoms or other issues. Diagnostic mammograms scan a woman’s breast if she has symptoms, such as a lump, or if a screening mammogram detects a change. When should you begin getting mammograms? Women who are 25 and older should have a formal risk assessment for breast cancer, according to the Society for Breast Imaging (SBI) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines. This involves a meeting with your primary care doctor or other provider. They will look at your risk based on family history of breast and ovarian cancers. Women whose mother or sister had breast or ovarian cancer have the highest risk. However, you want to look out for any family patterns of cancer. The SBI and ACR recommend that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin getting yearly mammograms at 40. Women who are higher risk should begin getting mammograms based on their provider’s recommendations, plus annual supplemental imaging. Cancers grow at different rates and a “normal” mammogram one year is no guarantee that things won’t change in a year. That’s why it’s important to stick to an annual schedule. If you notice any changes in the way your breasts look and feel, call your doctor immediately. Your provider can show you how to do a breast self-exam if you have questions. Mammograms and COVID-19 We understand these are unprecedented times and there are many unknowns. However, we also know that it is safer than ever to come to our outpatient offices for your mammogram. We want to assure you that we have safety measures in place to protect our patients and our staff from exposure to the virus. Our safety guidelines include: Extensive cleaning throughout the day of our equipment and office space. Temperature screenings for both patients and staff as well as screenings for other COVID-19 risk factors. Spacing out appointments so there aren’t too many patients in waiting rooms at one time. This also gives us more time to focus on individual patients. We can also have patients wait in their cars until it is time to come inside. Requiring all of our providers and staff to wear masks. We are happy to provide patients with a mask if they don’t have one. As we welcome patients back into our office safely, we also want to remind you to please stay home if you are sick. If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, here’s what to do. If it’s time for you to come in for your mammogram, please don’t let fear keep you from getting this life-saving screening. Cancer won’t wait until the pandemic ends. And you shouldn’t, either. We are here and ready to take care of you and your breast health. Wen Liang, DO, FACOS, is a breast surgeon with the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center. She can be reached at 443-481-5300. Amy Sarina, MD, is a radiologist with Annapolis Radiology Associates. She can be reached at 410-266-2770.
- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the wake of recent events, Luminis Health CEO Tori Bayless shares how our health system plans to confront racism, together. It is impossible to witness what we all are witnessing this week without sharing these words with you… Racism. It is an ugly reality that pervades our society. It has no place in our country, in our community, or in our health system. We will confront racism head on, and take action against it. Overt. Systemic. And everything in between. The recent, senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are the most recent incidents of a long-standing legacy of inequity that demands justice. They demand that we do better. This problem that lingers in our society is not the burden of people of color alone. The ugliness is impacting our co-workers, patients, friends and family. Therefore, it is our problem to confront together. In the tumultuous days since the murder of George Floyd, emotions are understandably running high. Outrage. Grief. Sadness. Fear. Anger. Together we are planning our response as a health system that will underscore our commitment to justice and to every human life. We will do it together, as a team. As one. We also are caregivers. And we will care for each other, our patients and our community through this unrest and this ugly reality. We need to ask, how can we work together to understand those who need to be heard and protected? How can I be a better ally to my colleagues? It goes even deeper. How can I hear what I am not hearing? As a health system our core values fight against racism – but is it enough? Are we making progress? Today, I encourage you to check on each other. Offer to listen. Think about actions you can take, big and small, to start making a difference. I will be doing the same. And we will share our organizational response with you in the coming days. Together, we can heal and make change happen. Together we will be a part of the solution and support the eradication of inequity.