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Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD is an internist in WASHINGTON, DC specializing in internal medicine (adult medicine), pediatric hematology/oncology and general pediatrics. She graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013 and has 13 years of experience. Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Health.
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:
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.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder in which blood cannot clot normally. After an injury, people who have hemophilia bleed longer because they lack certain blood proteins that are responsible for clotting, called clotting factors. Some hemophiliacs are mildly deficient in this protein, so they bleed only when injured or after surgery. Those who are severely deficient, however, may experience symptoms of spontaneous bleeding, including the following:
Most people with hemophilia have a family history of the disorder, though about 30% do not. The most common forms are hemophilia A (classic hemophilia) and hemophilia B (Christmas disease). Hemophilia A and B share certain characteristics, but different genes are involved. Acquired hemophilia is very rare and has been linked to autoimmune conditions, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
Hemophilia may be diagnosed using a blood test. If there is family history of the disorder, testing may be done prenatally. Treatment involves regular intravenous replacement of clotting factors, which may be produced in a laboratory (recombinant) or come from blood donors. For people with milder forms of the disease, a hormone called desmopressin may stimulate the body to produce clotting factors. Other drug therapies include medications that help slow the breakdown of blood clots and medications that are applied directly to the wound to promote clotting.
Living with hemophilia can be challenging, but simple things may help prevent excessive bleeding. For example, choosing activities like walking or swimming over contact sports can prevent injuries and strengthen muscles while protecting the joints. Chances for bleeding may also be reduced by making sure that children wear helmets and elbow pads during activities like bicycle rides.
Musculoskeletal Problems
The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.
Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.
Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.
Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.
Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.
Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.
Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013. She completed residency at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics and has a state license in District of Columbia.
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2013)
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals (2017)
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics
Licensed In: District of Columbia
Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: MultiPlan, Optimum Choice, Optima Health, MAMSI, Magellan Health Services, United Healthcare Choice Plus, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Anthem, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, Aetna Medicare PFFS, CIGNA Indemnity, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, Coventry National Network PPO, Highmark, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Sentara Health Plans, WellPoint, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, CIGNA PPO Plus, HealthyBlue PPO, Aetna Premier 200PD, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, IH-PPO, DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans, Aetna Advantage 6350PD, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, CareFirst EPO, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS), OCI Direct (HMO), Medicare Direct, Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans, Aetna Open Choice (PPO), OA Plus, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, IH-Network Only Plus, IH-POS, Aetna Classic 5000, Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA, CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland, Healthy Blue (HMO, POS), IH-POS Plus, Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA, CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Choice POS II, CareFirst Blue Card Program, Choice Fund PPO, IH-EPO Plus, Aetna VA Exchange, Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS), Aetna Better Health of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced, Aetna Worker's Compensation Network, Options PPO Cardiac Global, Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, Aetna Advantage 5750, IH-Open HMO Option, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, Aetna Basic, CareFirst FEP Blue Focus, Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, IH-Open EPO Plus, Core Essential (HMO), IH-Open POS Plus, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global, CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO, Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS), IH-Open HMO, Aetna Advantage 6350, M.D. IPA (HMO), Erickson Advantage Plans, Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund), POS OA, Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS), IH-Open POS II, Aetna Classic 5000PD, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO, CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna Student Health Insurance, Private Health Care Systems (PPO), Choice POS, Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account, IH-Indemnity, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO), United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, IH-HMO, IH-Open Network Only Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO, Medicare FFS, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, Advantra Platinum (PPO), Aetna Better Health of Maryland, BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage), Choice POS II Open Access, Employee Health Plan, Navigate, Police and Fire Clinic, Network OA, CareFirst MedStar Select PPO and Aetna Classic 3500.
According to our sources, Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 32 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in WASHINGTON, DC.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Tara K. Suntum, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$113
SOLIRIS $113 |
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$43
ASPARLAS $43 |
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$27
GAMIFANT $27 |
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$18
OXBRYTA $18 |
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$11
VONVENDI $11 |
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Dr. Tara Suntum's specialties are general practice, pediatric hematology/oncology, and general pediatrics. She practices in Washington, DC. Patient reviews placed her at an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Her areas of expertise include the following: cancer surgery, liposarcoma, and ambulatory phlebectomy. Dr. Suntum is professionally affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Suntum appears to be in-network for Anthem, Blue California, and Coventry, in addition to other insurance carriers. She welcomes new patients at her office inWashington, DC as reported by Doctor.com. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For her residency, Dr. Suntum trained at the University of Chicago Medical Center and a hospital affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
