- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s Power of 2 Peer Mentorship Program matches recent stroke survivors with mentors who have also survived a stroke. After completing a training program, mentors work with recent stroke survivors. Mentors give survivors an opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges and confront emotions. They offer encouragement, hope and understanding. To learn more, call 443-481-4585.
- Primary CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe dog days of summer are upon us. It’s a time when many of us go outside to have fun, but spending time outside in extreme heat can cause heat-related illness and, in severe cases, heat stroke. Our experts provide guidance on understanding how to prevent, recognize and treat it. What is heat stroke? This is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when your body overheats due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in hot weather, and it can happen in minutes or over hours or days. When it happens, your body temperature may rise to 104 degrees or more. Take caution if the outside temperature is over 77 degrees, and consider over 85 degrees to be dangerous. Even on cloudy days, high temperatures can cause heat stroke. There are two primary types: Exertional heat stroke affects people who are active outdoors in hot conditions, such as athletes, laborers, or first responders. Strenuous exertion and heat can overwhelm the body’s cooling system. Non-exertional (classic) heat stroke affects vulnerable populations, such as older adults, young children, or people with chronic illnesses. It can occur without physical exertion, particularly during heat waves. How to prevent heat stroke Here are some ways you can help yourself stay safe during hot weather: Drink plenty of fluids, especially when outdoors. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take frequent breaks in the shade or cool areas if outdoors. Sunburn can affect your body’s cooling ability, so use sunscreen. Check with your doctor to see if any medications you use can increase the risk of heat stroke. Recognizing the symptoms Early treatment for heat stroke can be the difference between life and death. If you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else, get immediate medical attention: Core body temperatures of 104 degrees or higher are the main sign of heat stroke. You may need a rectal thermometer because other types may not be accurate in heat stroke. You may become confused and agitated, slur your speech, be irritable, delirious, suffer seizures, or lose consciousness. For classic heat stroke, your skin may feel hot and dry. In exertional heat stroke, your skin may feel moist. Either way, it’s a sign that your sweating mechanism is not cooling your body. You may feel sick to your stomach, nauseous, or vomit, which can contribute to dehydration. Your skin may turn red and flushed as your body temperature rises. Heat stroke makes your heart work harder to cool your body so you may breathe rapidly and have a strong pulse. How to treat it? If you think someone near you is experiencing heat stroke, here’s what you should do: Call emergency services. This is a medical emergency requiring quick intervention, so call 911 immediately. Move to a cooler place. Get out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location. Cool their body. Apply cool water to the skin with a sponge, garden hose, or wet towel. Use ice packs or cold, damp cloths on the armpits, groin, neck, or back, where blood vessels are closest to the skin and cool the body more quickly. Use a fan. A fan increases cooling by moving air that helps evaporate water from the skin. Hydrate carefully. If the person is conscious and can drink, give them cool water or a sports drink. Do not use caffeinated beverages or alcohol, as these can increase dehydration. Monitor symptoms. Keep a close watch on the person until emergency medical help arrives. The next time you are making plans to go outside on a hot day, make a plan for staying cool and hydrated to stay safe. If you recognize symptoms in yourself or others, seek medical help immediately. Click here to learn about emergency medical care at Luminis Health. Author Gillian Lowe, MD is a primary care provider at Luminis Health.
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is a national program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. “LHAAMC is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Minas Gebru, MD, the medical director for the LHAAMC stroke program. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. We use the data from GWTG every day to drive and guide our program decisions. The end goal is to ensure more people can experience longer, healthier lives.” Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home. LHAAMC also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeconds count when someone is suffering from a stroke. As part of a community awareness campaign, County Executive Steuart Pittman presented a proclamation honoring Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) stroke care initiatives and designated Anne Arundel County as “Stroke Smart” due to the level of care offered by its hospitals. “With 1 in 6 people having a stroke in their lifetime, this May I encourage all county agencies, schools, health and safety-focused entities, businesses, and community organizations to participate in improving stroke literacy,” Pittman said. “I hereby proclaim May 2023 as National Stroke Awareness Month in Anne Arundel County and call upon all of our residents to recognize and educate themselves and others about the symptoms of stroke.” To earn the “Stroke Smart” designation, hospitals must meet certain standards of care outlined by the American Stroke Association and Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) that demonstrates the organization’s ability to provide life-saving treatment to patients who may have suffered a stroke.“A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted or cut off. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention by calling 911,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “Knowing that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Maryland, our stroke center program is fortunate to work with community organizations, the Maryland Health Department, local schools and businesses to improve stroke care in our communities and save lives.” Our Stroke Program provides a full range of neurology services supported by the outpatient neurology collaborative team, and patients with hemorrhagic strokes receive neurosurgical care by our neurosurgical team. “I feel fortunate to lead these dedicated team of professionals, including the multidisciplinary stroke teams as well as stroke survivors support groups that help us deliver a high quality care for stroke patients and also tremendously appreciate the critical communication between the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams with our Emergency Department colleagues who are the key for the “TIME IS BRAIN” concept,” said Dr. Minas Gebru, stroke medical director at LHAAMC.LHAAMC is consistently rated a “Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus” from the American Heart Association and is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center that has been designated by MIEMMS since 2012. “It was my privilege to accept this proclamation from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman on behalf of Luminis Health,” said Jen Harrington, LHAAMC chief operating officer. “Declaring Anne Arundel County a Stroke Smart County ensures high-quality healthcare for all residents of Anne Arundel County.”
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnnapolis, MD. — Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Emergency Department—one of the busiest in the state—has received the Maryland Stars of Life Executive Director’s Award from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). The honor recognizes the ED team’s outstanding collaboration with EMS providers and their commitment to improving patient care through faster, safer emergency response.The Stars of Life Awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to Maryland’s EMS system. LHAAMC’s Emergency Department was recognized for making it quicker and smoother to transition patients from EMS crews to the hospital team—ensuring patients receive timely treatment while enabling EMS providers to return to the field more quickly."Our team has reduced EMS turnaround times by more than 50% over the past three years, even as we’ve been seeing more and more patients," said Dennis Kelly, clinical director of LHAAMC’s Emergency Department. "This success is the result of implementing effective, data-driven strategies and the strong collaboration between our staff and EMS partners."With nearly 100,000 visits annually, LHAAMC’s Emergency Department is among the busiest in Maryland. As a trusted source of care in the community for nearly 125 years, LHAAMC continues to evolve to meet growing needs. The ED team’s efforts to streamline operations and improve communication with EMS partners have had a measurable impact on emergency care delivery in the region. "This recognition speaks to the extraordinary work of our emergency department and their deep commitment to collaboration, efficiency, and patient safety," said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. "We’re proud of our work with Maryland’s EMS system and appreciate the dedicated professionals who make this level of care possible every day. Through strong collaboration, we’re able to treat patients more quickly and help EMS crews return to the field to assist the next patient and family." Dr. Ted Delbridge, executive director of MIEMSS, visited the hospital along with other EMS leaders to present the honor to the ED staff. "I am extremely proud of our team members who provide high-quality care to our community 24/7,” said Dr. Michael Kent, medical director of LHAAMC’s Emergency Department. This honor reflects the hard work, knowledge, compassion and dedication of our physicians, nurses, technicians, volunteers, and all of our employees who strive for excellence every day."
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