June 2018 - Media Tip Sheet

Listed below are story ideas from The Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) which highlights health observances for the month of June. To pursue any of these stories, please call John M. Lazarou at 443-849-2126 or jlazarou@gbmc.org




THIS FATHER’S DAY MAKE HEALTH THE TOP PRIORITY


Father’s Day on Sun., June 17, along with the 24th Anniversary of National Men’s Health Week (June 11--17), is the perfect time to remind all men to schedule a well check-up or see a doctor about a health problem. A significant number of published research has shown the importance of men seeing a physician on a regular basis since, on average, men and have higher mortality rates than women for fatal illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and AIDS. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, over 50 percent of men in the U.S. haven't visited their family physician in the past year, and that men make half as many doctor visits for disease prevention than women. GBMC physicians stress that it’s important for men to see their primary care physician, to make their health a priority, understand what steps they can take to improve their health and to schedule their annual well-visit and getting the recommended preventive health care, they need.




WHAT DOES THE NEXT PHASE OF THE “MARYLAND MODEL” MEAN FOR A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ITS PATIENTS?


In May, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced an agreement between the federal government and the state on the next phase of the All-Payer Model also known as the “Maryland Model.”. John Chessare, MD, president and CEO of GBMC HealthCare system, the parent company of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center hospital, can offer expert information regarding the new phase of the all-payer model and discuss the following: What are some of the positives and negatives to this next phase? What does this mean for population health management and accountable care in Maryland? Is this truly a good thing for our state, residents, and your patients? Is GBMC HealthCare ready for the next phase of the all-payer model? In 2012, Greater Baltimore Health Alliance (GBHA) became the first accountable care organization (ACO) in Maryland to include an acute care hospital and is now one of approximately 600 ACO’s in the nation. GBHA was designed to provide a more patient-centric system, where a patient’s health needs are better met. For more, please visit gbha.org.




PATIENT SAFETY & TRUSTED HEALTHCARE – HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT WEEK


Annually, the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) celebrates Healthcare Risk Management (HRM) Week (June 18 – 22). According to ASHRM, the purpose of the week is to raise awareness about the value that risk managers and patient safety professionals and the work they do to keep patients safe and secure. The GBMC HealthCare system, in 2016, was honored with the inaugural ASHRM Patient Safety Award for its organizational efforts to further patient safety. GBMC was selected from many applicants nationwide for its use of Lean and Lean Daily Management (LDM) to improve health outcomes for patients and reduce preventable harm such as infections, falls with injury and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Carolyn Candiello, GBMC’s Vice President of Patient Safety, can outline the substantial work GBMC HealthCare is doing to improve the safety and quality of patient care; what is LDM and its role in reducing not only patient harm, but employee injuries, and in the reduction of waste and improved patient satisfaction. She can also highlight GBMC’s commitment to being transparent and open about its hospital-wide efforts to provide safe and reliable care, as well as the how/why on the metrics we monitor, such as hand hygiene, infections, patient satisfaction and quality care measures.




AHHH…MY HEAD HURTS!!!!


Migraine pain affects roughly 37 million Americans annually and women are three times more likely to experience them than men. Although 47 percent of adults encounter headaches yearly, these disorders are rarely recognized and poorly treated. Both can negatively impact family time, quality of life and a person’s ability to work. Migraine headaches, which can last for hours, are known as extremely painful and throbbing headaches that are sometimes accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Warning signs that a migraine headache is about to occur include restlessness, increased appetite or tension. A headache is defined as pain or discomfort in the head, scalp or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare, and most headache sufferers can feel better by altering their lifestyle, learning ways to relax and sometimes via medications. A neurologist with GBMC’s Center for Neurology can highlight the basic differences between the types of pain and between migraines and headaches, in addition to discussing how to ease the associated pain with each. A review of causes, risk factors, complications, prevention tips and treatment options can also be discussed.




PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM CATARACTS


More than 22 million Americans, over the age of 40, are affected by cataracts. A cataract, the leading cause of vision loss in the United States and the leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a clouding of the eye's lens that leads to decreased vision. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't affect eyesight early on, but, with time will eventually hinder vision. While it is possible to reduce the risk of developing cataracts, it is not 100 percent preventable. There are many factors that can contribute to the occurrence of cataracts including family history, medications, and age. While age is the most frequent cause of cataracts, exposing unprotected eyes to sunlight can cause damage that can also lead to cataracts. June is Cataract Awareness Month, and a physician with the Department of Ophthalmology at GBMC, is available to answer some common questions about cataracts including symptoms, how they form, the different types of cataracts, risk factors, prevention and treatment options and explain why it is important for individuals to take precautions to protect their eyes from the sun.




A COMMON BUT LITTLE-KNOWN BRAIN DISORDER


The National Aphasia Association says that aphasia, an acquired communication disorder that is not well known, affects one million people in the U.S. and is more common than Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. The disorder weakens the expression and understanding of spoken language, making it difficult for someone to read, write and say what they mean. It is most common in adults who have had a stroke or brain injury. A neurologist with GBMC’s Center for Neurology, can answers questions about the diagnosis and treatment of this common but little-known brain disorder.




WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HERNIAS


According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly five million Americans suffer from hernias, yet only 750,000 seek treatment each year. However, experts believe that only a portion of those suffering seeks any kind of medical treatment. Hernias are caused by weak spots or ruptures in various parts of the body and occur when parts of an organ (usually the intestines) protrude through the weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the abdominal organs in place. Left unchecked, hernias can lead to an intestinal infarction, gangrene, and even death. Timothee J. Friesen, M.D. or Laurence H Ross, M.D. F.A.C.S., general surgeons with Finney Trimble Surgical Associates at GBMC, who specialize in hernia repair, can provide the public with more education about the subject. Since June is National Hernia Awareness Month, either physician can offer facts that everyone should know about this misunderstood condition that may occur in both males and females of any age.