- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNurse practitioners are having a moment, and it’s worth paying attention to how they can benefit you and your family. While many might think that the role is a recent development, educational programs for nurse practitioners were first established in 1965 to address the healthcare needs of underserved populations by training nurses to make advance clinical decisions. As demand for medical care increased and doctors faced capacity challenges, more programs emerged across the United States to help meet these growing needs. Awareness of nurse practitioners has grown slowly, becoming more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent article from the National Institute for Health referred to the pandemic “an unprecedented opportunity for nurse practitioners to reform healthcare.” What is a nurse practitioner? A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has received additional training in treating patients. In Maryland, nurse practitioners have full practice authority. This means they can serve as your provider, prescribing medications, ordering lab tests and addressing your medical concerns. What distinguishes a doctor from a nurse practitioner? The primary difference lies in their training: Nurse practitioners first earn their registered nurse (RN) license by completing a bachelor’s degree program in nursing, and then a graduate degree. From start to finish, it can take six to eight years to become a nurse practitioner. Doctors, on the other hand, first complete a bachelor’s degree. Then, they go to medical school and complete a residency in the specialty they chose. It can take 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor. What to expect when seeing a nurse practitioner? If you’re dealing with a sore throat, seasonal allergies, or the flu, a quickly scheduled visit with a nurse practitioner can provide much-needed relief without having to go to the emergency room. Nurse practitioners offer a wide range of health care services, including: Physical exams: Performing physical exams and taking health histories Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, and managing overall care Prescribing medication: Prescribing and managing medications and therapies Ordering tests: Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests Education: Teaching patients about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles Referrals: Referring patients to offer health professionals as needed On the rise and ready to help The number of nurse practitioners has increased significantly over the past few decades. One of the key factors driving this growth is the nationwide shortage of doctors, which is expected to increase. A report from the Association of American Medical College estimates that the United States faces a shortfall of between 37,800 and 124,000 doctors in the next 12 years. Fortunately, the number of nurse practitioners is increasing, with more than 385,000 licensed in the U.S. At Luminis Health, our nurse practitioners are ready to serve you. Collaborating with doctors at their clinic or practice, they ensure that all your medical needs are met promptly and conveniently, close to home. Tormeika Sanford is a nurse practitioner at Luminis Health. To schedule an appointment, visit Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare.
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- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile traveling for work several years ago, Bruce Ingram of Nottingham, Maryland, noticed that he had an irregular heartbeat. His partner, Kimberly, is a nurse with many years of experience treating cardiac conditions, and she suggested they go to the emergency room. At the ER, doctors determined that he was in atrial fibrillation (Afib) but had a very slow heart rate. They recommended he receive a permanent pacemaker, a surgically implanted device that sends electrical impulses to the heart to maintain a normal beating rate. Nearly a decade later, Ingram remained active by running and swimming, but he still experienced fatigue and loss of energy, common symptoms of Afib. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) also showed his heart was weakening. Kimberly recommended that they seek a permanent solution under the care of her former colleague, Dr. Murtaza Dawood, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Luminis Health. Dr. Dawood proposed a hybrid surgical ablation. “Mr. Ingram’s atrial fibrillation is not only contributing to his symptoms, but is most likely causing his weakened heart function. We can treat his atrial fibrillation by surgical ablation to create scarring in the heart muscle. These scars can prevent the normal heart electrical activity from persisting as atrial fibrillation,” he explained. “By restoring a normal heart rhythm, we can improve his symptoms, and with time, his overall heart function.” The hybrid approach combines minimally invasive surgical ablation with a catheter-based ablation to be done three months later. “The Convergent+ procedure combines two minimally invasive procedures to maximize the benefit to the patient” says Dr. Dawood. “Additionally, to further minimize Mr. Ingram’s risk of stroke, I placed a closure device on his left atrial appendage, also done minimally invasively. That’s the ‘plus’ part of the procedure.” Approximately 90% of strokes associated with Afib originate from the left atrial appendage. In January 2022, Dr. Dawood performed the surgical ablation stage on Ingram, with the catheter ablation done 12 weeks later. More than two years later, Ingram reports a complete change since the surgery. He can run, swim, and travel for work without any issues from Afib. This past summer, he and Kimberly visited Yellowstone National Park and enjoyed several hikes around the park. If you are seeking care for Afib, please visit Luminis.Health/HeartSurgery or call (443) 481-1358 to learn about surgical options for treatment.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3Blog(Annapolis, MD)— Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), a cornerstone of healthcare in the Annapolis region and the Eastern Shore for more than 120 years, has earned its twelfth consecutive ‘A’ Grade from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. “Exceptional quality and safety are the result of the dedication and expertise of our entire team—physicians, residents nurses, advanced practice providers, technicians, therapists, support staff, and volunteers,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “Earning an ‘A” grade consistently for patient safety is a true reflection of our team’s commitment and the strong partnership we have with the community.” According to Leapfrog, LHAAMC has earned ‘Straight A’s’ for every grading period since 2018, making it the only hospital in Maryland to achieve this prestigious honor, and one of 105 hospitals nationwide. Leapfrog updates hospital safety grades twice a year, in the fall and spring. Luminis Health is dedicated to upholding best practices that prioritize quality, safety, and accountability across all operational areas. Our commitment is demonstrated through safe staffing, safety huddles, communication, a focus on well-being and retention of the health care team, workplace safety, community partnership, and collaboration with patient family advisors. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
- Endocrinology, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNovember is Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting a crucial health issue that affects more than 38 million Americans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90 to 95% of those with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic condition where the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Each year, 1.9 million new cases are diagnosed, yet more than 8 million Americans remain undiagnosed. If current trends persist, one in every three people born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. In Prince George’s County, adult diabetes diagnoses exceed the state average, with higher rates of diabetes-related deaths and hospitalizations further underscoring the seriousness of this issue locally. Type 2 diabetes symptoms often develop gradually, causing some people to misattribute them to other factors or remain unaware of the signs. This lack of awareness can delay diagnosis and the opportunity to learn to manage the condition effectively. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to several complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, loss of vision, neuropathy, reduced circulation, loss of limbs, and more. That’s why you should see a physician as quickly as possible if you see any of the signs of type 2 diabetes. Here are some of the critical signs of type 2 diabetes: Frequent urination. Type 2 diabetes can increase your need to urinate, particularly at night. Your kidneys are working to filter out excess glucose from your bloodstream, leading to frequent urination. Increased thirst. When your kidneys filter excess glucose from your blood, it can cause dehydration and make you feel thirsty. If you drink more fluids than usual and still feel thirsty, it could be a sign of type 2 diabetes. Unexplained weight loss. Sudden unintentional weight loss is another sign of possible type 2 diabetes. When your body can't use glucose efficiently due to insulin resistance, it may break down body fat and muscle for energy, leading to weight loss. Fatigue. Persistent fatigue, particularly after meals, is a common symptom of type 2 diabetes. Your body can’t use insulin effectively for energy, so you may feel tired and sluggish. This fatigue can affect your daily activities. Blurred vision. High glucose levels can lead to changes in your body's fluid levels. Those changes can cause the lenses of your eyes to swell, resulting in blurred vision. Vision changes may come and go, or you may have persistent blurry vision. Slow-healing wounds. Type 2 diabetes can influence your body's ability to heal wounds. That’s because high blood sugar can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage, making it more difficult for your body to heal. Frequent Infections. Type 2 diabetes can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections of the skin, gums, urinary tract, or other common infections. If you notice you are getting more infections than in the past, it could be a sign of type 2 diabetes. When to see a doctor You should see a physician if you have one or more of these symptoms. Early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can help you maintain a good quality of life and avoid serious complications. You can learn to manage type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes, monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking medication, if necessary. Doctors test for type 2 diabetes primarily through blood tests that measure blood glucose levels. The most common tests include the A1C test, which shows average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, and the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, which measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. If these levels are elevated, a diagnosis of diabetes may be confirmed. Recognizing the signs of type 2 diabetes is the first step in managing the disease so you can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. The diabetes program at Luminis Health can provide everything you need to manage type 2 diabetes and any complications, including education, monitoring, and treatments. Pedram Javanmard is an endocrinologist at Luminis Health with expertise in a wide range of endocrine-related diseases.
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