- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has released their Digital Health Most Wired Survey results for the 2022 data collection period. Luminis Health is proud to announce our Level 8 achievement for the Acute and Ambulatory survey selections. Among the more than 38,000 organizations surveyed by CHIME, Luminis Health ranked above peers in categories like analytics and data management, population health, infrastructure, and patient engagement. The survey assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in healthcare organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading. “To receive CHIME’s Digital Health Most Wired recognition year after year is truly an honor and demonstrates our team members’ hard-work and dedication.” said Saad Chaudhry, Luminis Health chief information officer. “Their work directly translates into a better patient experience at Luminis Health. We recently launched a new web-platform that not only includes a redesigned website, but easy, personalized online scheduling for in-person and telehealth visits. Our teams have also continued to push for transformation internally – this year, we launched an AI-enabled support chat-bot to offer technical assistance for employees, allowing for faster and automated resolution of some of the most common Information Technology issues.” He added, “This recognition therefore highlights our focus on not just keeping the lights on, but constantly enhancing our organization’s abilities in the digital realm.” The Digital Health Most Wired survey and recognition program serves as a comprehensive “Digital Health Check-up” for healthcare organizations around the world. As success in digital health increasingly determines the quality of patient care, the scope of the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey reflects the progress of leading healthcare providers as they reinvent healthcare for a new century. “We are proud to honor your team’s exceptional dedication to excellence in digital health,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “Your pioneering performance in the industry inspires other organizations by example. Patients in communities around the world receive better care when you drive change through digital transformation, as you have proven through your success in this rigorous program.”
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe sometimes assume that heavy periods, pelvic pain, or other troublesome symptoms are just part of being a woman. But in some cases, these symptoms can point to uterine fibroids. And many women who find out they have them, wish they’d known more, sooner. That’s why we’re sharing answers to some frequently asked questions about fibroids. What is a fibroid? Fibroids are benign muscular tumors that grow in and around the uterus. They can be tiny in size, barely visible to the human eye, or can grow to be the size of a grapefruit or larger. What causes fibroids? Medical researchers aren’t sure what causes fibroids to grow. But we do know they: Develop from an abnormal cell in muscle tissue May grow or shrink throughout your life May run in your family Seem to be connected to hormones and the menstrual cycle Are more common in African-American women Are fibroids dangerous? Fibroids are very common. And while they aren’t cancerous, they can significantly disrupt your day-to-day life, possibly requiring medication or surgery. They can also affect fertility and pregnancy. How do fibroids impact pregnancy? Depending on size and location, they can interfere with pregnancy by disrupting implantation and increasing risk for miscarriage. What are the symptoms? Since most fibroids don’t cause any symptoms, some women don’t realize they have them until a doctor sees signs during a routine pelvic exam. Other women, however, can experience intense symptoms, including: Abdominal or lower back pain Fullness or pressure in the lower stomach area Heavy or painful periods and bleeding between periods Pain during sex Pregnancy and labor complications Urinating more often or having trouble urinating How are they diagnosed? Fibroids can be diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam. They can also be diagnosed through imaging tests such as: Pelvic ultrasound (most common) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Hysteroscopy Saline sonogram Can fibroids go away on their own? They can shrink on their own, which often happens after menopause. In fact, if you’re getting close to menopause and have fibroids, your doctor may recommend not treating them. Your doctor also might not recommend treatment if your fibroids are small or aren’t causing any symptoms. But your care team will continue to check during routine exams to make sure they haven’t grown. When should I call a doctor about my symptoms? If you’re experiencing enough pain or blood loss during your period that you can’t take part in your daily activities, talk to your provider. It’s always a good idea to check in when you have a concern about your body, and that includes when you have any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned. Your doctor may recommend special tests to check for fibroids. How do I know if I need surgery? Treatment options depend on your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, and factors in your life such as if you’re thinking of becoming pregnant or nearing menopause. Many new technologies mean there are more treatment options than ever before, including non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments. Many of these options are also uterine-sparing, meaning that they do not require surgical removal of the uterus. Options include: Acessa, or laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (lap-RFA), a minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted heat to shrink fibroids. Myomectomy, which is surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Uterine fibroid embolization, which is a procedure to shrink the fibroid by blocking off its blood supply. Medications: Certain medications are also available to help manage fibroid symptoms in some patients. While fibroids don’t “grow back” once removed, new ones can still develop after surgery. So, some women choose to have a hysterectomy, surgery to remove the uterus, as a permanent solution. Here when you need us We know that any new diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But it’s important to remember you aren’t alone. Help is always just one conversation away, and there are many ways we can help ease the symptoms fibroids can cause. Authors Dr. Jonelle Samuel, Dr. Jessica Ton, and Dr. Rupen Baxi specialize in gynecologic surgery at Luminis Health.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSometimes life gets you down. You may, for example, have trouble at work, paying bills, meeting social obligations or maintaining relationships with friends and family. While experiencing life’s twists and turns, we can all feel blue from time to time. However, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed for a longer stretch of time, it’s important to find support. Left untreated, depression can negatively impact your health. However, learning more about mental health disorders — including understanding how to recognize their risk factors and symptoms — can go a long way toward helping you find proper care and getting back to living your best life. Body, Mind and Spirit Work Together to Help You Feel Your Best The Greeks were right: A sound mind is a sound body. Mental and physical health are inseparable and equally important to your overall health. When it comes to your mental health, there’s a lot involved, including how your body functions (your biology), how you think (your psychology) and what you do (your habits). Stress can affect everything from how your white blood cells respond to viral infections and cancer to how your wounds will heal. Long-term depression can increase your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke, weaken your immune system, interfere with your sleep and even wreck your diet. Only when your body, mind and spirit are working at their best, can you truly enjoy life. Understanding Mental Disorders Mental disorders are serious conditions that make it even more challenging to cope with the stresses of daily living; affecting your thinking, feelings, moods and behaviors, relationships with others and your ability to function from day to day. Know the Types There are many types of behavioral health disorders, including: Mood disorders Eating disorders Panic Anxiety disorders Stress disorders Psychotic disorders Substance use disorders Recognize the Risk Factors Although there’s no single cause for behavioral health disorders, risk factors include: Chronic stress Traumatic experiences Chemical imbalances in the brain Family history Feelings of loneliness or isolation Alcohol or drug use Know When You Need Help About one in four people have mental health issues that affect their everyday activities. Unfortunately, about 75 percent of them don’t get the help they need. Changes in your behavior or outlook can signal that it’s time to get help from others. If you have trouble managing your symptoms, or they won’t go away, it may be time to talk to a professional. In addition to feeling overwhelmed, withdrawn or disconnected, symptoms may include: Chronic anxiety Constant sadness Excessive anger Extreme mood swings Inability to manage problems or daily activities Nervousness New or increased substance use Thoughts of suicide or harming others You should never feel embarrassed about needing help to feel your best. Just like for any other healthcare concern, you need a healthcare professional to address your mental health. Getting the help you need, sooner rather than later, can help you to get on the path to recovery. How to Find Mental Health Help Your primary care doctor can help you find mental health services. You can also get help, including a mental health evaluation, therapy and medication management, from Luminis Health. Before you meet with a mental health professional, it can help to write down a list of questions to ask. Here are a few examples to get you started: Do you have experience caring for others in my situation? How do you treat my condition? How long can I expect treatment to last? What do you charge? Do you take insurance? You may also want to write down a list of the results you want from treatment. Sharing these with your behavioral health specialist can steer you both in the right direction toward meeting your mental health goals. Call 988 for Immediate Help If you (or a loved one) are in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself, the National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline offers immediate help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. This is a national network of local crisis centers providing free, confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Make Your Mental Health Your Priority Getting help for behavioral health disorders starts with you. Self-help can be an important first step to your improvement or recovery, and it begins with self-awareness. Once you take the first steps to identify that you’re having trouble in your daily life, you’re on your way to better overall health.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to focus on the importance of breast cancer screening for all women. It is especially important for residents of Prince George’s County, where there is a higher rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis and mortality rates. This month is also an opportunity to highlight all of the wonderful progress made in breast cancer treatments. COVID-19 had an impact on breast cancer screening frequency during and after the pandemic, with the American College of Radiology (ACR) finding that mammogram screenings dopped by 63.7 percent compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Screening exams at our Lanham site are approximately 30 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels. This is especially concerning given that early breast cancer diagnosis is the key to better survival rates. When You Should Get Screened Sometimes women are unsure when they should start getting screened for breast cancer. The recommendation is for yearly mammograms starting at age 40. If there is family history of breast cancer, then it is recommended to start ten years prior to the age your family member was diagnosed. For example, if the mother was age 42 at diagnosis, the daughter should start getting mammograms at age 32 and enroll in a high-risk breast screening program. The ACR has recognized that African American and Jewish women are at a high risk for breast cancer. These women should get a risk assessment and consider starting early breast cancer screening at age 30 Be Your Best Advocate Early breast cancer is best diagnosed when there are no symptoms and there is only a small abnormality on imaging. There are some women who feel a lump, but it does not always mean they have cancer. There are many non-cancerous problems that cause a lump in the breast. If a woman feels something different from their normal, they should get it checked out by their physician. It is important for women with dense breasts to ask for 3D mammograms because they are the best imaging for evaluating dense tissue. Women should look closely at their imaging report and be self-advocates: if you are identified as having dense breasts, ask for additional tests, such as ultrasound or MRI. This is especially important if you feel a lump and the report comes back as “normal.” A mammogram isn’t the most comfortable test, but it is quick and provides valuable information. With the newer machines, the compression releases as soon as the picture is taken. It is recommended that patients take an over-the-counter pain reliever about two hours prior to their mammogram. A few minutes of discomfort are preferable to a long process of treatments for breast cancer. Pink Ribbon Rally Welcomes You On Friday, October 14, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center will host a special Pink Ribbon Rally event on its Lanham campus to help take the fear and mystery out of getting a mammogram. There will be music, dancing and learning, as well as discussion about how mammograms are performed, breast self-awareness and treatment, and advocating for your own health. Hear from breast cancer survivors who share their journey, and even discuss proper bra fit. Join in on the discussion about gynecologic problems such as fibroids, menopause, uterine cancer, etc. The event runs from 8 am to 3 pm. Women who are unable to get screened at the rally can make an appointment to come back at a later date—Luminis Health performs mammograms year-round. This article was originally published with the Enquirer-Gazette. Authors Dr. Regina Hampton is the medical director of the breast care center at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. A board-certified general surgeon who has focused her practice on breast health and breast cancer, she has been ranked by her peers as one of the top breast cancer surgeons in the Washington, D.C. area.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Pathways, the region’s premiere substance use treatment center, is marking 30 years of caring for patients seeking help for substance use and addiction. The nationally accredited facility, located on Riva Road in Annapolis, provides detoxification, residential, and outpatient substance use services for patients throughout Maryland. “Founded in 1992, Luminis Health Pathways has provided exceptional care for thousands of patients who live in the communities we serve,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “It’s called Pathways because everyone’s journey to recovery follows a unique path, and three decades later, the staff continues to be a beacon of hope for those struggling with drug and alcohol use as well as related mental health disorders.” Fast Facts about Luminis Health Pathways: Treated more than 26,000 patients since 1992 In the last year, we provided care to 1,100 inpatients and provided more than 5,900 outpatient visits Most accessed service is residential treatment, including Detoxification and Rehabilitation Normal stay is 14-28 days in our 40 inpatient residential bed facility Comprehensive outpatient group offerings, medication services, and Intensive Outpatient Programs and to help sustain recovery. 70% successful transition rate and nationally ranked for patient satisfaction. “Pathways provides evidence-based, comprehensive services for people looking to recover from a substance use disorder,” says Dr. Aliya Jones, executive medical director of Behavioral Health for Luminis Health. All communities need and deserve high-quality substance use disorder care provided in a compassionate and culturally sensitive environment and Luminis Health Pathways is well-positioned to provide the highest standards of care for patients.” Most patients seeking care at Luminis Health Pathways are treated for alcohol and opioids. “One of the bold goals of Luminis Health’s Vision 2030 is to eliminate opioid addiction in our communities,” said Danny Watkins, senior director, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Behavioral Health Nursing and Operations. “Thanks to the compassion, collaboration, and hard-work of our Treatment Teams throughout our programs and communities, we are seeing a decrease in opioid overdoses in our region. Luminis Health and Pathways have decreased access to unneeded prescription opioids, and increased access to evidence based initiatives like Medication Assisted Treatment, Narcan, and Prevention Education services.”
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