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Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS

Accepting New Patients

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Emergency Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (2010)
Professional interests include: tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion), thoracostomy, chest pain, and more.
9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, MD 21237

Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS is an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD specializing in emergency medicine. He graduated from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2010 and has 16 years of experience. Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS is affiliated with MedStar Harbor Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Health and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.

View Doctor's Full Profile (443) 777-7000

Office Locations

201 EAST UNIVERSITY PARKWAY
BALTIMORE, MD 21218
(410) 554-2000
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110 Irving Street Nw
Washington, DC 20010
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3001 S. Hanover Street
Baltimore, MD 21225
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MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, MD 21237
(443) 777-7000
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Some issues Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS can help you with:

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusions typically treat those who experience a substantial loss of blood from an injury or surgical procedure, or those who suffer from conditions that alter the blood supply or blood components. For example, a blood transfusion may contribute additional red blood cells to someone with anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Other conditions may include:

  • Hemophilia (blood clotting disorder)
  • Leukemia
  • Liver disease
  • Sickle cell disease (misshapen red blood cells)
  • Thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets)

When a patient has sufficient blood volume and lacks one or more components, a complete blood count (CBC) test can help determine if a patient requires a transfusion by measuring four blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. If any of the patient's component counts is significantly below a standard range, the patient will likely need a blood transfusion. The complete blood count test uses a needle to extract a small amount of blood for testing.

Blood transfusion recipients should be tested for their blood type, which is one of four different types: type A, B, AB, or O. Patients with A, B, and O blood can only receive a blood donation matching their blood type or of O blood, which is known as the universal donor. Those with AB blood are considered "universal recipients"; they may receive A, B, AB, or O blood. Further complicating blood types is the presence or absence of the RhD antigen, adding a positive or negative modifier that should also be considered. Incompatible blood donations may cause transfusion sickness, such as a hemolytic reaction, where the body fights the donated red blood cells.

In certain emergency or trauma situations, medical teams often do not perform a complete blood count (CBC) test or blood type test. In those cases, patients are often given O negative blood, which is universally accepted. Some patients have their blood type on a medical card or bracelet, allowing emergency medical teams to issue compatible blood without testing.

Transfusions are performed by inserting a needle attached to an intravenous line (IV) into a vein in the body. This IV line is attached to a bag of blood that steadily dispenses blood into the patient's bloodstream. The type, volume, and components of donated blood depend on the patient's condition and needs. After the transfusion is complete, patients are generally permitted to resume normal activity, unless prohibited by a condition or injury. Some patients may experience bruising or soreness around the area that the needle was inserted.

At times, a second complete blood count test is performed to determine if the transfusion has brought patients' component counts to normal levels. Some patients may require multiple blood transfusions to reach a healthy blood volume and blood component count.

Once patients' blood volumes and components reach sufficient levels, they will generally begin to feel better. Patients of all ages, from newborn infants to elderly adults, can receive a blood transfusion.

Headache

Headaches are dull or sharp pains that occur in regions of the head and face. Headaches occur in many different forms and vary in location, severity, and duration. They are not necessarily a sign of an underlying illness and often resolve on their own. However, headaches can present significant day-to-day discomfort. The most common forms of headaches include:

  • Migraines: one of the most prevalent types of headache, migraines typically last from two hours to three days, causing a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, fatigue, and blurred vision all may accompany migraines. While migraines have no known cure, medications and lifestyle modifications may ease symptoms. Avoiding behaviors that may trigger migraines such as lack of sleep or loud, repetitive noises can improve headaches.
  • Tension headaches: also known as stress headaches, these headaches are characterized by pain in the upper top part of the head and behind the eyes. Tension headaches are common and have no exact cause; however, certain practices may increase the likelihood of developing them. For example, wearing one's hair up in a tight hairstyle or wearing a restrictive hat can put pressure on the scalp, leading to a tension headache. Other causes of tension headaches may include alcohol or nicotine use, caffeine, teeth grinding, stress, overexertion, and eye strain. Some people find posture improvement, alternating sleeping positions, and neck exercise can alleviate tension headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also reduce tension-headache pain.
  • Sinus headaches: this type of headache causes pain in the sinuses, but may progress to pain and pressure in the eyes, forehead, and cheeks. These headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion, fatigue, and ache in the upper teeth and may or may not be caused by sinus infections or sinusitis (sinus inflammation). Some sinus headaches are allergic headaches, which arise from allergic triggers such as seasonal allergies (pollen allergies) or hay fever, causing sinus pressure and facial pain. Other symptoms of allergic headaches include nasal congestion, irritated or watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Allergic headaches may be treated with antihistamine medications such as cetirizine (Zyrtec). Allergic headaches are common during pollen season, which is usually around springtime.
  • Cluster headaches: these headaches occur suddenly and cause stabbing, sharp pain from one eye down to the one side of the neck. They are often referred to as the most aggravating and painful type of headaches. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include nasal congestion, droopy eyelid, and enlarged pupil on one side of the face. In the past, it was widely believed that cluster headaches were caused by a bevy or "cluster" of multiple types of headaches, such as a combination of an allergic headache and a tension headache. Medical experts now recognize that cluster headaches are a separate and unique form of headache. Cluster headaches last for around twenty minutes to two hours. They may recur throughout the period of a day or several weeks, but usually dissipate within a month. Treatment for cluster headaches includes over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Prescription Prednisone can help with swelling and Verapamil may reduce pain by relaxing the blood vessels.

Living with headaches is challenging; headaches can prevent people from fully enjoying life. Medical treatment and care in avoiding certain triggers can help those with headaches begin to feel normal once again.

Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy or tracheotomy is a surgical procedure to open an airway in a blocked trachea, or windpipe. A small hole is created in the neck, and a tube is often inserted into the hole to provide support and drainage. The patient can breathe through the hole that is created.

Tracheostomy is performed for a variety of reasons when a bypass to the normal airway is needed. A patient may have an object lodged in their throat or have an injury that damaged their windpipe. They may have cancer or a swelling in their throat that stops air from moving freely. Sometimes tracheostomy is performed to make breathing easier when patients are paralyzed or have trouble coming off a ventilator.

A tracheostomy can be temporary or permanent. A temporary tracheostomy tends to heal over easily when the tube is removed, leaving a small scar. A permanent tracheostomy can make speech difficult at first. It takes time to learn how to use the throat and air in a new way.

Tracheostomy is a fairly simple procedure, but it can make all the difference in a life or death situation.

In The News 

“Aaron Zachary Hettinger, an emergency medicine physician with MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., said that when he and fellow clinicians need to share critical patient information, they write it...”—"Death by 1,000 clicks: Where electronic health records went wrong", KevinMD, April 2019
“Aaron Zachary Hettinger, an emergency medicine physician with MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., said that when he and fellow clinicians need to share critical patient information, they write it...”—"Death By 1,000 Clicks: Where Electronic Health Records Went Wrong - KFF Health News", KFF Health News, March 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2012 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 439

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2013 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 349

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 140
Female 200
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 93
Black 236
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 89
From 75 to 84 94
85 and over 43
Less than 65 114

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 13
Ischemic Heart Disease 55
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 45
Asthma 25
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 42
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 34
Diabetes 49
Dementia 21
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2014 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 333

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 115
Female 217
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 239
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 92
From 75 to 84 77
85 and over 47
Less than 65 116

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2014

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 54
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 43
Asthma 21
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 28
Diabetes 47
Dementia 19
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2015 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 393

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 336
Female 440
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 514
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 230
From 75 to 84 176
85 and over 118
Less than 65 252

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 64
Stroke 14
Ischemic Heart Disease 53
Depression 40
Chronic Kidney Disease 49
Asthma 30
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 17
Heart Failure 43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 53
Dementia 21
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2016 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 370

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 166
Female 214
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 105
Black 262
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 106
From 75 to 84 78
85 and over 57
Less than 65 139

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2016

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 15
Ischemic Heart Disease 54
Depression 35
Chronic Kidney Disease 49
Asthma 40
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 17
Heart Failure 36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 46
Dementia 23
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2017 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 293

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 123
Female 169
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 83
Black 198
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 93
From 75 to 84 62
85 and over 42
Less than 65 95

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2017

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 67
Stroke 14
Ischemic Heart Disease 58
Depression 42
Chronic Kidney Disease 58
Asthma 21
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 17
Heart Failure 45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 51
Dementia 24
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2018 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 347

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 171
Female 186
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 252
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 118
From 75 to 84 78
85 and over 58
Less than 65 103

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2018

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 16
Ischemic Heart Disease 58
Depression 42
Chronic Kidney Disease 58
Asthma 18
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 48
Dementia 29
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2019 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 264

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 129
Female 158
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 201
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 87
From 75 to 84 71
85 and over 44
Less than 65 85

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2019

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 71
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 54
Depression 45
Chronic Kidney Disease 59
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 41
Diabetes 53
Dementia 28
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2020 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 209

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 121
Female 141
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 192
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 84
From 75 to 84 64
85 and over 33
Less than 65 81

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2020

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 16
Ischemic Heart Disease 57
Depression 45
Chronic Kidney Disease 61
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 19
Heart Failure 48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 32
Diabetes 49
Dementia 32
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2021 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 236

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 124
Female 152
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 84
Black 181
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 91
From 75 to 84 62
85 and over 38
Less than 65 85

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2021

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 71
Stroke 15
Ischemic Heart Disease 52
Depression 46
Chronic Kidney Disease 60
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 31
Diabetes 46
Dementia 35
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD during 2022 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

emergency care 186

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 95
Female 128
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 0
Black 156
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 78
From 75 to 84 54
85 and over 36
Less than 65 55

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 24
Ischemic Heart Disease 47
Depression 37
Chronic Kidney Disease 45
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 26
Heart Failure 40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 53
Dementia 19
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated as an emergency medicine doctor in BALTIMORE, MD were emergency care.

emergency care 310

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS.

Gender
Male 138
Female 182
Ethnicity
Black / African American 221
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 33
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 74
85 and over 46
Less than 65 102
65 to 74 97

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 60
Stroke 13
Ischemic Heart Disease 49
Depression 37
Chronic Kidney Disease 47
Asthma 19
Osteoporosis 5
Heart Failure 39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30
Diabetes 45
Atrial Fibrillation 15
Dementia 22
Cancer 12

Education & Training

Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS graduated from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2010. He completed residency at Strong Memorial Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (2010)

Residency: Strong Memorial Hospital (2008)

Board Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Aaron Zachary Hettinger, MD MS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Harbor Hospital
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
MedStar Health
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Aaron Hettinger's specialty is emergency medicine. Areas of expertise for Dr. Hettinger include endotracheal intubation, forearm fracture, and tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion). Dr. Hettinger is professionally affiliated with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and MedStar Harbor Hospital. According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact his office in Baltimore, MD. He graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and then he performed his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital.

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