Effective today (2/3), Luminis Health is deactivating the Crisis Standards of Care protocols put in place on January 4, 2022 for both hospitals – Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
“It will take some time to return to normal operations,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “However, we are now at a point where the surge is currently not exceeding the health care resources available.”
Surgeries, which had been postponed except in urgent situations, will now ramp up, with a goal of getting to a full surgical schedule as soon as possible. For those who “deferred” care or treatments (e.g. surgery or other clinical care), now is the time to return.
“We encourage all patients to seek the care they need. The hospitals are safe, ready and open for those requiring emergent care. Those with non-emergent conditions should seek care from their primary care providers or urgent care centers. In addition, consistent follow up with your care provider is important,” said Dr. Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Luminis Health continues to assess its visitor restrictions, while also requiring masking in order to keep patients, employees and visitors safe.
“We are so proud of our staff who worked, and continue to work, so hard to care for our communities,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “We also thank Governor Hogan and the National Guard for standing up COVID-19 testing sites near our campuses in Annapolis and Lanham.”
Luminis Health reminds the community that COVID-19 continues to be a serious public health problem. The best way to stop its spread is by getting vaccinated and boosted, and practicing the 3W’s: wear your mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands. Click here to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LH moving away from Crisis Standards of Care?
While COVID-19 continues to stress LH hospitals, the surge is currently stretching, but not exceeding, all health care resources available. Incident Command will continue to monitor all conditions and adjust as needed.
What changes now that Crisis Standards of Care are deactivated at Luminis Health?
Certain crisis protocols around staffing, documentation, and the allocation of resources will be changed. Unit directors will communicate to staff when changes need to be made in each area. We will ramp up surgeries, with a goal of getting to a full surgical schedule as soon as possible.
What doesn’t change?
- COVID-19 continues to be a serious public health problem in our community, and we encourage everyone to stop the spread by getting vaccinated and boosted, and practicing the 3W’s: wear your mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands.
- Visitor restrictions remain unchanged for now.
- Telemedicine will continue to be used to triage patients before scheduling inpatient clinic appointments.
- Patients with less serious conditions should seek care from their primary care providers or an urgent care centers.
- All employees are to continue to self-screen prior to coming to work, and masking is required for all employees in all settings.
- All meetings should continue to be held via virtual platforms whenever possible or adhere to posted capacity restrictions. This includes all meetings in the Doordan Institute, with the exception of necessary clinical trainings and Board meetings.
