- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCoughing. Fever. Trouble breathing. These are some of the potential symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). If you or someone in your family exhibits these symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend you call your health care provider. Most people will have mild illness and will be asked to recover at home. If this applies to you, here are the steps you should take. Stay home Unless you are seeking medical care, please stay home. Self-isolate in a room away from other people in your home as much as you can. Use a different bathroom if you have one. Clean “high-touch” surfaces in those rooms, but let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas. Such surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Don’t share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels/wash cloths, bar soap or bedding with other people in your home. Wash these items thoroughly after using them. Wash your hands Hand washing is the single most important step in preventing infection from COVID-19. Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash your hands, and have every member of your family do the same. Wash your hands after you touch surfaces, use the bathroom, cough, sneeze and before you eat or prepare meals. Monitor your symptoms If you are experiencing more serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or bluish lips, call 911 and say you may have COVID-19. This will allow health care providers to take steps to protect themselves and other patients. Wear a cloth covering, scarf or face mask if you have one. If you don’t, cover your coughs and sneezes with tissue. The CDC advises that you practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from others. When it’s okay to stop home isolation You can stop isolating when you’ve had no fever (without taking fever-reducing medications) for at least 72 hours, your other symptoms have improved and it has been a least seven days since your symptoms first appeared, the CDC says. After your fever has subsided, we recommend you follow these prevention steps for 10 days: Stay home except to get medical care. Don’t go to work or any public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride sharing or taxis. Ask a friend or family member who is healthy to help you with errands including buying groceries or picking up medications. Avoid people who are at high-risk of developing severe infections from COVID-19, including elderly people, people who are immunocompromised and people who have chronic health conditions such as chronic heart, lung or kidney problems. Author Jean Murray is Anne Arundel Medical Center’s director of Infection Control.0
- Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSpring is officially here. As you’re rolling up your sleeves for spring cleaning, why not overhaul your cupboards and remove the foods that are sabotaging your health? Start eating healthy and purge your kitchen of processed foods, products with more than five ingredients, expired items, and sugary and salty snacks. Avoid foods with ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, trans or saturated fats, and any other additives you cannot pronounce. Load up on lean proteins, such as tuna, sardines, salmon and low sodium beans. Trade out high-sugared cereals for oatmeal flavored with cinnamon and fruit. Try some new grains such as quinoa, faro or buckwheat. Declutter your freezer It’s easy to throw foods in the freezer and forget about them, or allow them to become buried by recent purchases. Get rid of anything with ice crystals forming on it. Foods with freezer burn not only lose flavor, but also their nutrient density, especially produce. Meats can keep up to nine months in the freezer. Make room for frozen fruits and vegetables to have on hand to supplement meals, shooting for the “My Plate” goal of making half your plate fruits and vegetables. Lighten up your fridge Even with plenty of frozen fruits and vegetables, you want to be sure to have room for fresh varieties. Aim for foods that keep for days such as oranges, cauliflower, apples and cabbage. Don’t cut up anything or pre-wash produce when you bring it home from the store. Although this may seem like a time saver, it will make the produce spoil sooner. Save food prepping for the night before to save time. Swap out creamy condiments like mayo, salad dressings and sour cream for mustard, flavored vinegars, lemon or lime juice, Greek yogurt and olive oil. Always have a carton of eggs for a quick protein that goes well with any snack or meal. Food storage Finally, put everything in its place. To make sure your healthy habits stick, it is important to put energy and time into where you are storing your foods. Keep the nutrient-dense options front and center and the treats in the back, perhaps out of sight out of mind. It is also key to keep the FIFO method of inventory in mind when restocking shelves, which means ‘first in, first out.’ In other words, rotate the items you already have to the front of the freezer, or cupboards and then put the newer items in the back. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published April 3, 2017. Last updated March 25, 2019.0
- TelehealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChances are you’ve experienced episodes of coughing, congestion and sniffles in recent weeks. Hospitals are currently busy treating patients who need care for respiratory infections such as COVID, flu, and RSV. If you visit an Emergency Department (ED) for treatment, you might experience longer than normal wait times. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) in Lanham has successfully improved wait times by revamping its patient triage process: When you arrive at the ED, you will register with the clerk, and a triage nurse will assess your needs to determine the priority of care. A patient liaison staff member promptly engages and will explain and expedite the next steps in your care. This change has decreased the amount of time you wait by 40-50 minutes. If you are discharged to go home, our caregivers will ensure you have appropriate follow-up with your primary care provider, or they will connect you with a Luminis Health Primary Care Provider. Parents will be glad to know that at LHDCMC, physicians from Children’s National are available seven days a week to treat pediatric cases in the ED. You can also take several steps to ensure you receive timely care. Here’s what you can do: Make sure you bring everything you need for emergency care Your time in the Emergency Department will go faster by bringing important items for our care team, such as the following: Driver’s license or identification card Insurance card List of medications and allergies List of contacts, including primary physician, specialists, friends and family Discharge instructions and notes from recent ED visits or hospital admission Cell phone chargers Keep your cool Dealing with an emergency is stressful, and emotions are often heightened for everyone. Getting upset or mistreating your care team won’t speed up your visit. It’s important to remember that doctors, nurses, receptionists and other staff members in the ED are on your side — and working their hardest to give you the care you need as quickly as possible. At Luminis Health, we believe in a culture of mutual caring: We provide the best care possible in a healing environment and we always treat each other with respect and dignity. Caring for and protecting patients, families, employees, and our community, is important to us. “We have to treat patients in order of priority, seeing patients with life-threatening illness or injury first,” said Dr. Reginald Brown, emergency department chair at LHDCMC. “Your patience is very important and appreciated, as we prioritize care for those who need it urgently.” Urgent care is another option There are many situations in which the ED is the best place to go for care, such as life-threatening injuries or conditions. In other cases, urgent care centers are a convenient option for treatment. Urgent care can address the following conditions and symptoms: Cough and cold symptoms Minor cuts that may need stitches Eye problems, like pink eye Mild abdominal pain Mild illnesses, such as strep throat or the flu Sprains and strains Vomiting or diarrhea Telehealth visits are refreshingly easy If you have a minor medical issue, consider connecting with a medical provider virtually. This often allows for a quicker appointment, most patients are able to schedule same-day care. With the availability of after-hours and weekend virtual visits, we aim to accommodate your schedule. Luminis Health’s CareConnectNow is available for Maryland residents by calling (443) 951-4270 from your smart phone or making an online appointment. Thank you for your patience, support, and your own efforts as we strive to improve emergency care for every patient. Author Dr. Reginald Brown, is the emergency department chair at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogColon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. It is also the second deadliest cancer that affects both men and women. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone age 50 or older had regular screenings, up to 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented. In fact, many cases of colon cancer can be completely prevented through a simple screening exam called colonoscopy. “Colon cancer is preventable through the removal of intestinal polyps, which have the potential to become cancerous,” says Surgical Oncologist Naeem Newman, MD. “This can be done during colonoscopy.” If you’re 50+ this year, pledge to have your colonoscopy. Learn more at askAAMC.org/Milestone50. Risky Business Factors that raise colon cancer risk Inflammatory bowel disease Family history Diet high in red meat or fat Smoking Obesity Factors that lower colon cancer risk Diet high in fiber Diet high in fruits and vegetables Taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Regular exercise Hormone replacement therapy in women Some studies have shown that people who include folate (the synthetic form is folic acid) in their diet have lower rates of colon cancer. Some foods that are rich in folate are fortified cereals, black-eyed peas, kidney beans and spinach. Many people avoid colonoscopy due to their fears about the procedure or feelings of embarrassment, but it’s relatively simple and pain free. The day before the colonoscopy, you prepare your intestine by taking a prescribed laxative. The day of the procedure, you are sedated and the doctor inserts a thin flexible tube into the rectum. The tube contains a camera and a light that allows the doctor to examine the inner walls of the colon—all five feet of it—for polyps and other abnormal growths. If anything out of the ordinary is found, the doctor can remove the polyps, which are tested for cancer. Illustration of a polyp removal. While 50 is the recommended age for a first colonoscopy, anyone with a first-degree family member (i.e., parent or sibling) who has had colon cancer should be checked sooner. “There’s no valid reason for not getting a colonoscopy,” says Dr. Newman. If there are no concerning findings with your colonoscopy, you may not need another one for up to 10 years. Colon cancer is preventable. Don’t wait if you are over 50. Call your doctor to set up a colonoscopy screening. If you need a physician referral, visit FindaDoc or call 443-481-5555. Author Naeem Newman, MD, is a surgical oncologist at AAMC Surgical Oncology. Originally published Feb. 19, 2016. Last updated Feb. 26, 2019.0
- 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.”0
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