Renown Health, the region’s largest, not-for-profit academic health system serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California, is joining healthcare networks across the country by supporting the American Hospital Association’s violence prevention initiative, Hospitals Against Violence (HAV). Today, team members at Renown are participating in #HAVhope Friday, an annual day of awareness focused on enhancing public awareness of workplace violence and addressing all types of violence within our health system and community.
Held on the first Friday of June annually, #HAVhope Friday brings U.S. health systems together to continue working toward partnerships, innovations and creative thinking to foster peace and make a safer environment for healthcare workers, patients, visitors and the community.
“At Renown, we stand firmly in our commitment to a Zero Tolerance Policy for any form of violence or aggression toward our healthcare professionals. Our caregivers dedicate themselves every day to healing others, and they deserve to do so in an environment of safety, dignity and respect,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO, Renown Health On June 6, #HAVhope Friday, we stand alongside our country’s hospitals to call for an end to workplace and community violence. We call on our entire community to help us keep hospitals and medical offices a space for everyone.”
Renown Health operates with a Zero Tolerance for Violence policy. Under this policy, patients, visitors and employees are expected to always treat each other with kindness and respect while on Renown property. . It is a felony to assault or injure a healthcare professional (OSHA 3148-04R 2015).Any person who physically or verbally attacks another individual at a Renown location is subject to removal and criminal charges or prosecution.
Acts of violence can include the following:
Physical assault or battery, including grabbing, punching, kicking, hitting, pushing or shoving;
Sexual assault, including lewd comments or inappropriate touching;
Verbal or written threats of any kind;
Anger-related incidents;
Arson;
Sabotage or pranks;
Stalking or unauthorized surveillance;
Vandalism or property damage;
Throwing objects.
88% of healthcare professionals have experienced violence of some sort while at work, according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. Violence in healthcare systems and our communities is a community health problem, and it’s something we all need to work together to change,” said Melodie Osborn, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, Renown Health. “At every Renown location, all who walk through our doors deserve to always feel safe. It’s important to remember that Renown is a place of kindness, care, compassion and healing; violence has no place in a healthcare setting.”
Renown Health has several systems in place to support and protect employees. For example, new employee orientation includes classes to prepare employees to prevent and de-escalate verbal or physical abuse. Renown also offers ongoing education to train staff to respond to violent situations. If an incident does occur, the Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force reviews incidents and ensures the impacted employees receive resources and counseling, including access to our Critical Incident Stress Management team, to help them process what has occurred. Renown values partnerships with community organizations including local law enforcement agencies like the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department. Renown Health maintains a close relationship with these partners and alerts them when care teams experience violent incidents.
The health and safety of all patients, visitors, employees and community members remains a top priority for Renown on #HAVhope Friday and year-round. More information and resources related to #HAVhope Friday can be found at aha.org/HAVhope.
Renown Health Now Provides Confidential Mental Health Services for Healthcare Professionals and First Responders
"Code Phoenix” establishes a protected pathway for short-term mental health stabilization for healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and firefighters, delivered in a supportive environment built for the unique realities of their work.
Book an Appointment with a Renown Medical Group Cardiology Provider
Renown Health today announced that patients seeking Renown cardiology care can now conveniently schedule their appointments online. The new digital scheduling option is available for both new and existing patients, providing easier access to high-quality heart care across northern Nevada.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Nevadans and people across the nation,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO, Renown Health. “At Renown, we believe everyone deserves timely, expert care for their heart. By making it easier for patients to connect with our cardiology team, we’re helping people take proactive steps toward longer, healthier lives.”
“This new online scheduling feature is one more way we’re improving access and convenience for our community, helping people get the specialized care they need quickly and easily,” said Rahul Mediwala, MD, MBA, CEO of Renown Medical Group. “Whether a patient is managing a chronic heart condition or seeking preventative care, we want to make every step, from scheduling to treatment to follow up, as seamless and supportive as possible. Our goal is to ensure that world-class cardiology care is easy to access for every member of our community.”
“People experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or palpitations are encouraged to first contact their primary care provider,” said Marie McCormack, MD, Division Chief, Primary Care, Renown Medical Group. “Primary care providers can evaluate symptoms, provide guidance, and if needed, refer patients to a Renown Medical Group cardiologist for an appointment for specialized heart care”
“The Renown Heart & Vascular Institute team has earned the trust and gratitude of the community with more than 18,000 patients rating their Renown Medical Group-Cardiology providers an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 stars for care,” said Darcy Ohm, Administrative Director, Cardiology, who led the project. “Now patients can schedule their cardiology appointments online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with more than 35 cardiology providers at Renown Heart & Vascular Institute locations in Reno, South Reno, Carson City and Fallon, Nevada.”
Renown Health is proud to announce the opening of a new urgent care facility located at 6512 South McCarran Blvd in Southwest Reno, providing high quality, convenient and affordable urgent care for families in Reno and surrounding communities. This facility, opening today, Nov. 18, is Renown’s 12th urgent care location and is equipped to treat patients of all ages with minor illnesses, injuries and other non-life-threatening conditions, 7 days a week.
“We’re grateful that our customers continue to tell us what matters most to them. They’ve asked for more Renown urgent care locations, and we’re listening. As southwest Reno continues to grow, we’re proud to open a beautiful new urgent care site that offers high quality, convenient and affordable care seven days a week, right near the shopping district, Lakeridge Shores, Rancharrah and Caughlin Ranch communities,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, CEO & President, Renown Health. “As Nevada's only not-for-profit academic health system, we are committed to reinvesting our proceeds to enhance clinical expertise, expand facilities and services and invest in the health and well-being of our community.”
