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Why Can't I Eat Before Surgery?
If you’re having surgery on your shoulder, why does it matter what’s in your stomach? We asked Dr. Matthew Hoberg to explain more about pre-surgery directives, including fasting. If you have an upcoming surgery, your care team likely gave you instructions to fast before your procedure. But why? We asked Matthew Hoberg, M.D., medical director of Renown Surgical Services, to explain why it’s important to forgo food and drinks before surgery. Why are patients instructed to fast before surgery? Regardless of surgery type or site, we want the stomach to be empty before having anesthesia, because anesthesia can reduce your body’s ability to protect and prevent food or acids from the stomach from entering the lungs. Normally, your body is able to prevent this, but anesthesia medicines make it harder for your body to do so. When food or liquids from the stomach get into the lungs, doctors call it “aspiration.” This is rare, but can be dangerous if it does happen. Solid foods and liquids leave the stomach at different rates too. Solid food takes longer to empty from the stomach than liquids, so the time to stop eating solids (eight hours) is longer than that for clear liquids (two hours). The body has energy reserves to produce needed nutrients and fuel during fasting. Recently, studies have shown it is important to stay hydrated and have some carbohydrates in clear liquids up to two hours before surgery, so clear liquids are allowed until two hours before surgery. There are also special rules for babies and young children who need surgery. For example, you may give breast milk up to four hours before surgery. If your baby drinks formula, you should stop six hours before surgery, and all solid foods you should stop eight hours before. Your child’s doctor or nurse will give you exact instructions. What if you show up for surgery and have broken the no-eating rule? Will surgery be re-scheduled? If patients have not followed the fasting guidelines, surgery will be postponed or rescheduled due to the possible increased risk associated with not having an empty stomach. The exception would be emergency surgery that cannot be delayed in which case special precautions are taken to help prevent anything from getting into the lungs. What other pre-operative rules should be followed to the letter? All instructions given to patients before their surgery or procedure should be followed. There are specific medical reasons behind all the instructions and they are designed for safety — to minimize risks, lower complications like infections and enhance the recovery process to help patients get back to normal as quickly as possible. Also, many patients ask if they should continue taking medications before surgery. The answer is: It depends. Your doctor or nurse will tell you which medicines you should take and when. Some medicines need to be stopped before surgery. But for others, it’s important you keep taking them as usual. You may also get new medicines to take before surgery. You may be asked to take some medications before surgery as part of advanced pain management protocols. If you need to take medicine right before your surgery, you can take it with a sip of water.
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Zarah Path from Traveler to OR Nurse
As many nurses can attest, the journey they have taken to arrive at where they are today is full of twists and turns. For Zarah Jayco, an operating room nurse at Renown Regional Medical Center, her journey is nothing short of a fulfilling and exciting one. Zarah is no stranger to taking detours to find what truly makes her feel the bursts of passion she had been looking for her entire life. She found that passion in the operating room – and travel nursing led her to Renown Health. Today, she is a firm believer that she is exactly where she is supposed to be. “I Just Want to Help People” Throughout her life, Zarah knew she was destined for a meaningful career – but didn’t exactly know what. One day, she sat down with her mom, a nurse herself, where she asked the question that would ignite Zarah’s curiosity: What is important to you? “That’s when I told my mom: ‘honestly, I just want to help people.’” It was at that moment that she realized nursing could be a fit for her. Everything about venturing into the nursing field started to make sense. So, that’s precisely what she did. Zarah went to nursing school. When she stepped into the OR during her clinical rotation, she was immediately inspired. Zarah’s core values as a nurse were rooted from caring for her 90-year-old grandmother while she was in hospice. Her grandmother gave her some powerful lessons and words as she set off on her career: “You are in the right place.” Upon completion of her perioperative program, Zarah the OR Nurse we know and love started her journey. She began her trek as a travel nurse, going up and down California to do exactly what she was meant to do: care for surgical patients. “I Traded the Ocean Waves for the Mountains” As Zarah continued to travel and find different locations for new assignments, her husband received an opportunity for work to transfer to the Biggest Little City. The duo packed up their California lives and moved to northern Nevada, where Zarah signed up for a night shift OR nurse position at Renown Regional Medical Center. But the traveler’s mindset wouldn’t last long. Renown embraced Zarah with open arms, and she was immediately drawn into the community-feel that our health system offered. She felt welcomed and surrounded by “loving, hardworking people” across her department and all other teams she encountered. As Renown cares for patients across 100,000 square miles, Zarah was especially impressed with how rooted Renown is in northern Nevada, noting how it “truly feels like we are caring for the community” with our health system’s wide reach. She was inspired to live up to that mission and more. “Reno and Renown really reeled me in, and I fell in love with the city and everything it has to offer,” said Zarah. “I traded the ocean waves for the mountains, and the more we got to know Reno, the more we realized that this change of pace and lifestyle was definitely a good fit for us.” Zarah the OR Travel Nurse became Zarah the Renown OR Core Staff Charge Nurse. And she knew she made the right decision. Working in the OR, according to Zarah, is challenging in the best way possible. At night, all surgery cases at Renown are emergencies. The team springs into action to answer one vital question: How do we provide the best care for this patient? “It is essential for us to anticipate potential outcomes,” said Zarah. “When we book a surgical case, we look at everything to make sure we are absolutely prepared and ready.” Staying at Renown was an easy choice for Zarah. To her, there is nothing like being a part of a core team that inspires her every day and ‘has each others’ back,’” Zarah stated. “During the course of my assignment at Renown, the culture harnessed a kind of environment that felt like a hardworking family. This was the hook that reeled me into considering being part of core staff. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build relationships that I hold in the highest esteem.”
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Nationally Recognized Heart Surgeons Join Renown Health
Two Open-Heart Surgeons and Two Advanced Practitioners Bring Nearly 70 Years of Local Experience. As part of a continuing focus on offering comprehensive care for patients experiencing cardiac and vascular disease across northern Nevada, Renown Health Department of Surgery and Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health have developed Renown’s first division of cardiothoracic surgery dedicated to heart surgery patients. “Today, I am proud to announce cardiothoracic surgeons, Athan Roumanas, M.D., FACS, and Joseph Brandl, M.D., FACS, who have more than 45 years of combined experience caring for northern Nevadans in need of open-heart surgery, will lead this new practice at Renown,” said Anthony Slonim, M.D., Dr.PH., FACHE, President and CEO of Renown Health. “Advanced practitioners Cindy Powers and Ashley White bring another 23 years of expert care to our community and the new division of cardiothoracic surgery.” Dr. Roumanas has 18 years of experience in northern Nevada. He is a clinical associate professor of surgery at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and currently serves as medical director of cardiothoracic surgery for Renown Regional Medical Center. Since 1991, Dr. Brandl has cared for our region and held numerous positions throughout the community including Renown’s director of cardiac surgery and community adjunct faculty for UNR Med. Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health offers the most highly-skilled and experienced heart and vascular team and the most advanced heart center in the region. Renown has long been the region’s heart care leader – performing the area’s first open-heart surgery, angioplasty, stent and valve replacements decades ago. In 2015, Renown Regional became the first hospital in the region to offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a lifesaving alternative to open-heart surgery for patients considered high-risk or inoperable. Renown is among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for heart attack treatment and one of only 105 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology ACTION Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award recognizing success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. Additionally, Renown’s Roseview, Sierra and Cardiac Intensive Care Units (ICUs) were the only ICUs in Nevada to receive the Beacon Award of Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. This distinction is based on sustained unit performance and patient outcomes that exceed national benchmarks. As Reno’s only locally-owned, charitable, not-for-profit integrated health network, Renown continues to meet customer demand for affordable healthcare and enhanced service and access by keeping the highest levels of clinical quality care right here in our community. Patients in need of advanced heart care can speak with their care provider about Renown Medical Group – Specialty Care, which can be reached at 775-982-6270 or visit renown.org/HeartCare.
Read More About Nationally Recognized Heart Surgeons Join Renown Health
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Nine Additional Anesthesiologists Join New Local Practice Serving Patients at Four Renown Hospitals
Group improves diagnosis, medical management and quality of life for patients. If you are preparing for a surgical procedure, you have probably given a lot of thought to the education, training and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure. But you may not have thought much about the anesthesiologist or the importance of his or her expertise in your procedure — before, during, and after — to keep you safe and comfortable. “As the region’s only not-for-profit integrated healthcare network and Trauma Center, we are trusted and chosen by patients as the #1 provider of inpatient care, including surgeries, for northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. To continue to serve the needs of hundreds of surgeons and thousands of patients with safe, high quality and effective anesthesia coverage, we now employ sixty anesthesiologists through our Department of Surgery through Renown Medical Group Anesthesiology, a new local practice providing services to patients in northern Nevada,” said Sy Johnson, MBA, President of Renown Health. Patients served include those at Renown Regional Medical Center, the only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento and Salt Lake City, and #1 Hospital in the State of Nevada in U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings for 2021. Physician anesthesiologists will also provide services to patients at Renown Children’s Hospital, the only children’s hospital in the region; Renown South Meadows Medical Center, named #1 Best Hospital for 2020 by U.S. News & World Report; and to patients at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital, northern Nevada’s only Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)- accredited hospital, specializing in the treatment of brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke. Renown Health is integrated with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Nevada’s first medical school, which serves to enhance the health of the community through increased access to care, innovative health care delivery, expansion of clinical research and training for the next generation of physicians and health care professionals. The nine anesthesiologists who recently joined Renown Health include: Houry Kahwajian-Mock, MD, starting 5/1/2022 Brian Turchioe, MD, starting 6/1/2022 Kristina Coger, MD, starting 6/13/2022 Shannon Martin, MD, starting 7/1/2022 Joshua Moody, DO, starting 7/1/2022 Vu Luu, MD, 7/1/2022 Robert Childs, MD, 8/1/2022 Jörg Dünckelmeyer, MD, starting 8/22/2022 Jonathan Miller, MD, starting 10/31/2022 About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the regions largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®.
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56 Anesthesiologists Join Renown Health to Provide High Quality Services to Area Patients and Surgeons
Innovative anesthesiology practice improves diagnosis, medical management and quality of life for patient. If you are preparing for a surgical procedure, you have probably given a lot of thought to the education, training and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure. But you may not have thought much about the physician anesthesiologist or the importance of his or her medical expertise in your procedure — before, during and after — to keep you safe and comfortable. "Our leadership team has thought a lot about physician anesthesiologists over the past year,” says Sy Johnson, MBA, President and Chief of Staff for Renown Health. “As the region’s only not-for-profit integrated healthcare network and trauma center, we are trusted and chosen by patients as the top provider of inpatient care, including surgeries, for northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. To serve the needs of hundreds of surgeons and thousands of patients with safe, high quality and effective anesthesia coverage, we now employ fifty-six anesthesiologists through our Department of Surgery and have established Renown Medical Group Anesthesiology, a new local practice for northern Nevada.” “Renown Medical Group anesthesiologists provide 24 hour surgical and procedural coverage based on clinical skill sets, surgeon preference and patient preference. Patients who choose Renown for their care can feel certain that they are receiving anesthesia care from a physician anesthesiologist who has attained board certification. Renown Health hospitals are pleased to provide patient care exclusively by physician anesthesiologists,” says Thomas Graf, MD, FAAFP, CEO, Chief Clinical & Quality Officer of Renown Health and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “We are the doctors trained to administer and manage anesthesia given to a patient during a surgical procedure to ensure anesthesia care is as safe and effective as possible,” says Nariman Rahimzadeh, MD. Dr. Rahimzadeh serves as Medical Director and Chief of Staff for Renown South Meadows Medical Center, is a member of the new group and has practiced in Reno for fifteen years. “We also play a key role in taking care of patients who are having minor surgery or who may not require general anesthesia, such as women in labor who need to be awake and alert but require effective pain management.” “Our innovative anesthesiology practice is now staffed by fifty-six anesthesiologists. We are serving patients and surgeons at Renown Health hospitals with one fully integrated model of care to improve diagnosis, medical management and quality of life,” says Christos Galanopoulos, MD, MBA, MSc, FACS; Chair, Department of Surgery and Vice President at Renown Health. “We strive to advance anesthesia through clinical excellence, education, innovation and people. Our nationally recognized medical staff and dedicated support team perform the majority of anesthesia procedures in our market, and evaluate, monitor, and supervise patient care before, during, and after surgery to deliver effective anesthesia and ensure optimal patient safety.” “Physician anesthesiologists have 12 to 14 years of education, including medical school, and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training,” adds Scott Parkhill, MD, FASA, who serves as a Medical Director and Vice Chief of Staff at Renown Regional Medical Center and is a member of the new group. “Physician anesthesiologists in the United States complete a four-year undergraduate college degree that includes satisfying pre-med requirements. Like other medical doctors, they must follow undergraduate education with four years of medical school. After medical school, a physician specializing in anesthesiology completes a four-year anesthesiology residency program. Following completion of a residency program, residents are eligible to sit for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) exam. We are pleased that all of our Renown Medical Group anesthesiologists are board certified.” Adds Kelsey Larsen, MBA, Chief Operating Officer for Renown Medical Group, “We are thrilled to welcome and employ forty-two physician anesthesiologists who started with us on April 1. An additional nine physicians joined last week and five other physicians have requested to start over the summer for a total of 56 anesthesiologists that have joined Renown Health to provide services to patients.” Patients served include those at Renown Regional Medical Center, the only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento and Salt Lake City, and named #1 Hospital in the State of Nevada by U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings for 2021. Physician anesthesiologists will also provide services to patients at Renown South Meadows Medical Center, named #1 Best Hospital for 2020 by U.S. News & World Report; and to patients at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital, northern Nevada’s only Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited hospital, specializing in the treatment of patients with brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke. Renown Health is integrated with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Nevada’s first medical school, which serves to enhance the health of the community through increased access to care, innovative health care delivery, expansion of clinical research and training for the next generation of physicians and health care professionals. 51 ANESTHESIOLOGISTS WHO JOINED RENOWN IN APRIL 2022: Samuel Beck, MD Heber Becker, MD Peter Billharz, MD Kara Bjur, MD Brian Brewer, MD Brian Buehler, MD Carrie Buehler, MD Catherine Burton, MD Joshua Cartinella, MD Nicholas Cirac, MD Gordon Curry, MD Scott Dougan, MD JoAnn Ellero, MD Daryl Fenio, MD Dirk Fletcher, MD Tobey Gansert, MD Benjamin Garol, MD Jeffery Grudzinski, MD Keith Hanson, MD Min Hein, MD Mark Janes, MD Scott Jeannes, MD Kevin Lasko, MD Sarah Lim, MD Jay Markin, MD John Marshall, MD Eric Moody, MD John Mortensen, MD Jobin Nash, MD Mel Nutter, DO Scott Parkhill, MD Nariman Rahimzadeh, MD Suresh Raman, MD Shaina Richardson, MD Alan Sarabia, MD Heidi Sarabia, MD Mitch Seman, MD Daniel Sorensen, MD Ryan Stites, MD Aaron Wallace, MD Duncan Browne, MD Tyler Hartley, MD Jie Lan, MD Pamela Russell, MD Scott Reineck, MD Brian Landreth, DO Kara Sievert, MD Chiaki Nakanishi, MD Philip Phu, MD Matthew Sabatini, MD Robert Kyper, MD About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org
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Low Back Pain – How to Stop the Ache
Low back pain is not only a problem most people have at some point in life, but also the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Whether it is a sharp spasm from lifting something heavy or a daily constant ache, there are various treatments available to relieve your pain. Jessica Ryder PT, DPT, cert VRS, with Renown Health Outpatient Therapy, explains some common causes of this pain, how to treat it and ways to prevent pain flare-ups. It’s important to realize most cases of low back pain are short term. Frequently lasting only a few days or weeks. In general these cases leave no long-term damage to the spine, muscles, discs or nerves. “However, it can become episodic or chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks) if it is not properly understood or managed by the individual, ” cautions Ryder. Causes of Pain Specifically back discomfort can be related to: Wear and tear on the spine due to age or poor movement patterns Injury to spinal discs Sprains (overstretching or tearing of ligaments) and strains (tears in tendons or muscles) Trauma Irregularities of the spine present at birth (example: scoliosis)Notably the above issues may result in a “pinched nerve” or sciatica, causing pain to extend down the leg. Risk Factors for Pain In particular, your chance of developing low back pain increases with the risk factors below: Age Being overweight Low fitness level or occasional physical activity (“weekend warrior”) Family history Pregnancy Poor posture Jobs requiring heavy physical work (landscaping, plumbers, construction, etc.)
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A Journey of Transformation Through Robotic Surgery at Renown Health
Carrie Hintz is constantly on the move. “I don’t sit well,” she said when discussing her career as an Emergency Room nurse at Renown South Meadows Medical Center. She has also earned a PhD in nursing research, a Nurse Executive DNP and an MSN in nursing and healthcare leadership, all while managing the joyful chaos of raising two toddlers under the age of four. She's always been on the move, but her journey to transformation through bariatric surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System is a testament to her determination and the vital need for cutting-edge robotic surgical tools at Renown Health. Carrie's life is non-stop, but her struggle with weight loss was a persistent challenge, compounded by the complexities of medical conditions like PCOS and a pituitary tumor, both of which made losing weight an uphill battle. It was while reading the news one night, witnessing a mother's disappointment at Disney Land due to weight restrictions, that Carrie decided to take charge of her life. She knew she had to make a change. In 2016, Carrie embarked on her bariatric surgery journey, seeking consultation with a Renown surgeon. However, her dreams of starting a family prompted her and her supportive husband to postpone surgery since one cannot have a baby within 18 months of the procedure. After welcoming two beautiful children into their lives, Carrie returned to Renown in 2022 to discuss her surgical options. Finally, in February 2023, and after six months of mandatory weight loss preparation, Carrie was ready to undergo the life-changing surgery. Dr. Alexander Ayzengart, her dedicated surgeon, had a plan that involved utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System for her bariatric procedure, coupled with repairing a hernia that had developed during her weight loss journey. The stage was finally set for Carrie's transformation. To everyone's surprise, the hernia turned out to be larger than anticipated, but miraculously, Carrie experienced no post-operative pain and minimal scarring. She reminisces about her early post-surgery days, confidently attributing her excellent outcomes to the remarkable da Vinci Surgical System. “I was up and walking around the night after the surgery,” she said. The da Vinci is no ordinary surgical tool; it's a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive robotic system skillfully operated by trained surgeons. Renown's commitment to innovation in healthcare paved the way for Carrie's remarkable journey.
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Department Spotlight: Acute Care Rehab Therapy
Being admitted to the hospital is never easy. Being admitted for a traumatic injury can be even harder. Whether it's learning how to walk again or powering through a new speech therapy routine, recovering from an injury that may affect the course of your life can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be, thanks to the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team at Renown Health. The smiling faces of the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team at both Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center will make you see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your dedicated physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists are here to serve you and place you back on the right path to recovery and function. The Role of Acute Inpatient Therapy The Acute Care Rehab Therapy team comes in at a critical juncture in a patient’s care process after hospital admission. As one of the primary rehabilitation partners on a care team, these dedicated therapists are here to maximize every patient’s safe and independent living before they set off back home – all while reducing the risk of hospital readmission. “As physical therapists, we address musculoskeletal deficits and assess a patient’s current function after acute injury or illness from their baseline and develop a plan for functional recovery,” said Kristie Eide-Hughes, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. “We also use our clinical expertise to assist with the discharge process and make sure each patient has the best durable medical equipment the first time around, removing the guesswork.” “On the occupational therapy side, we work with patients to facilitate their independence with basic life skills, such as dressing, bathing and using the restroom,” added Jeanne Clinesmith, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. “In the pediatric setting, we help babies and kids get back to what they were doing before they came into the hospital,” continued Rhonda Yeager, Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. “In the NICU specifically, we support the development of babies, trying to prevent problems from worsening. It’s nice to be a source of positivity in an otherwise intimidating situation.” The role of therapy in this setting reaches all ages, from babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to adults approaching end-of-life care. Every therapeutic approach is tailored specifically to each patient. “Therapy is more of a habilitative approach for infants in the NICU, while it is more of a rehabilitative approach for kids and adults following injury or illness,” said Sara Carolla, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Each team member in the Acute Care Rehab Therapy department is dedicated to each patient, helping them make progress from start to finish and giving them the tools to succeed along the way. “I enjoy the variety of the patients we get to see and the ability to see them make gains from the wonderful treatment they get in the hospital from my team,” said Kelly Schwarz, Occupational Therapist at Renown South Meadows. “We provide education as each patient’s acute issues evolve,” added Nicole Leeton, Speech Language Pathologist at Renown Regional. “One of my favorite parts of my work is the patient and family education aspect, and that includes other healthcare provider education as well. It’s a moving picture.” Moreover, every team member gives each patient tools to learn how to be themselves again and empowers them to continue striving for the best possible result of their therapy “We get the opportunity to make a person’s bad experience in life better even by spending one session with them, giving them the keys to unlock something that they didn’t think they had the ability to do,” said Dana Robinson, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. On the Road to Independence Our dedicated therapists in the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team set the stage for a patient’s recovery process after trauma, showing them their potential for independence. With a multitude of patients coming into the hospital with many degrees of medical complexity, each day is different while the end goal is always the same: to optimize function as early as possible while overcoming any barriers and paving the way for a comfortable and effective quality of life. “Early intervention is a big piece,” said Nicole Leeton. “Us seeing patients early can get them recovered and independent more quickly and help prevent future illness and injuries. For example, in speech therapy, getting in early and facilitating communication skills for patients with impaired speech can make a huge difference.” Acute Care Rehab therapists dig deeply to see the whole picture of each patient’s situation to foster their independence – their history, social skills, support system and more. “Sometimes, we are the difference between independence and dependence,” said Dana Robinson. “We are the eyes and ears because we have so much time with the patients. Our team is extremely collaborative and develops a great rapport with patients, so they feel comfortable telling us everything going on with them.” “For kids, we teach parents ways they can help their kids by setting up their homes and the equipment they need to succeed,” added Rhonda Yeager. According to the team, one of the biggest keys to independence is repetition. A continual flow of getting up and trying again is crucial for recovery. “Repetition helps people regain their quality of life back sooner and control their recovery process,” said Megan Hough, Physical Therapist at Renown Health. “Helping people continue to get stronger and more independent makes my job so rewarding,” added Sam Brown, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Knowing that they have made a difference and help shape a patient’s overall development inspires each therapist to never give up, regardless of how difficult an injury presents. There is no set schedule for recovery, and the therapists are always in the patient’s corner. “This team has the most passionate, caring and dedicated individuals that I know,” said Kendra Webber, Manager of Acute Inpatient Rehab Therapy Services at Renown Regional. They give 110 percent to every patient every time to ensure they have what they need to regain function and independence.” “By tailoring therapy to the individual, the bounds are virtually limitless for what we can accomplish,” added Dana Robinson. It Takes a Village Since acute inpatient therapy is never a one-size-fits-all approach, it truly takes a village for this team to move the mountains they do for patients every day. These teams are fact-finding masters, gathering all the necessary information from the patient, their family and their care team to figure out their precise needs. “We are a consistent presence for our patients, identifying a lot of different needs and meeting those needs to help patients grow in their treatment process,” said Kelly Schwarz. “By collaborating with each patient’s diverse care team, we are able to employ the clinical judgment to help patients overcome physical, emotional and environmental struggles and set them up with the proper resources once they leave our setting.” “Our team has steady communication with physicians, nurses, acute care technicians, respiratory staff, physician assistants, case managers and more to ensure the best possible care,” added Jet Manzi, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Constant communication and collaboration are also necessary beyond the acute treatment process. These skills are vital in order to facilitate discharge planning, and the Acute Care Rehab therapists are an essential resource in the discharge process alongside our Hospital Care Management team. “Often times, a patient’s family needs a lot of guidance in helping their loved ones determine the next level, and we help them navigate those steps and the resources available to them,” said Mark Stumpf, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. “And it’s all a team effort.” “Our therapists are the most committed, generous, hardworking people,” added Courtney Phillips-Shoda, Supervisor of Rehab Therapy Services at Renown Regional. “Despite being short-staffed, we come to work every single day and give everything to our patients. They are the priority.” If you take away one thing, know this for certain: Renown’s Acute Care Rehab occupational, speech and physical therapists will always be there to help patients continue on a positive trajectory to physical, mental and emotional recovery. “Whether you are a patient or a provider, if there is a problem, never hesitate to reach out to us,” said Nicole Leeton. “We are always receptive to anyone seeking our help.” With the Acute Care Inpatient Therapy team on their side, a patient’s journey to recovery is only just beginning.
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Department Spotlight: Medical-Surgical Nursing
The title of “largest nursing specialty in the country” belongs to medical-surgical nursing (commonly known as “med-surg”). Devoted to providing care for patients with a variety of health conditions and who are preparing for or recovering from surgery, this ever-popular nursing niche attracts impassioned, talented individuals who make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of every patient. Med-surg nurses at Renown Health emulate this dedication and more. From general surgery to oncology and orthopedics, the med-surg team at Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center play a critical role in our care delivery for patients facing challenging diagnoses or procedures. Their ability to seamlessly juggle multiple tasks while providing the highest quality of care makes them excellent patient advocates, guiding them through the path to healing. High-Paced with High Results Our med-surg team has the ability and willingness to provide high-caliber nursing for patients with virtually any medical condition – orthopedic injury, trauma surgery, infections, sepsis, pulmonary disease, you name it. No matter the diagnosis or procedure, med-surg has the experience and enthusiasm to handle the fast nature of the job well. Med-surg nurses are always on the go, handling a growing list of conditions together as a team. They work side by side to assess each patient’s condition and assist with both education and discharge planning for patients and families. “Med-surg is a high-paced and unpredictable environment with the largest variety of diagnoses and patient populations,” said Danyel Gish, Manager of Nursing at Renown Regional. “Every patient is everyone’s patient in med-surg. We help each other by answering each other’s call lights, communicate clear expectations and build strong trusting relationships with one another.” “You never know what kind of disease or conditions your patient may present with,” added Brittani Manatt, Registered Nurse in the Cancer Nursing Unit at Renown Regional. “We care for patients with almost any medical diagnosis.” Being admitted to the hospital, regardless of the reason, can be a scary and vulnerable time for anyone. However, patients can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their competent and confident med-surg nurses are here by their side before and after they experience surgery or treatment. “We communicate with our patients at every step of their care journey to ensure they understand what is going on and help alleviate any fears or concerns,” said Jenni Gilligan, Associate Nurse Manager at Renown South Meadows. “Some of my tips include asking the patient how they are feeling and validating those feelings; getting them and their families and friends involved in the process; and ensuring them that we are here for them and will take the best possible care of them." “What we do as a team to reduce patients’ fears revolves around clear communication and support, whether it’s grabbing them a Starbucks drink, taking them outside for a walk or simply just listening to their concerns,” added Rose Simonian, Supervisor of Clinical Nursing at Renown Regional. “Connecting with our patients through kindness and laughter helps alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with being in the hospital.” Jenni and Rose are exactly right – that clear communication is the “secret sauce” to success within the med-surg team. Their patients are the direct beneficiaries of this crucial skill. “Everything we do throughout our shift focuses on teamwork and communication, making sure every piece of our plan comes together for optimal patient care,” said Cristina Vazquez, Registered Nurse at Renown Regional. “We collaborate a lot within each healthcare team,” added Reena Clark, Registered Nurse at Renown South Meadows. “We also make sure the patients participate and are involved in their plan of care. This is important to set a common goal and help each other achieve that goal for the patient. The nurses on the floor are the eyes, ears and hands of inpatient care." When faced with a daunting diagnosis or procedure, it’s important to have a strong support system within your personal care team, cheering you on every step of the way. Our med-surg team members are masters at this, finding new ways to connect with patients and help them feel empowered to Fight the Good Fight. “We always try to find something that the patient loves or is passionate about that helps shift their mindset,” said Paola Espinoza-Patino, Associate Nurse Manager in the Cancer Nursing Unit at Renown Regional. “It will help them focus their attention on something that brings them joy, even if it’s for a short period of time. This helps them let their guard down and trust the team. We are here to take the best care of them as possible.” "Med-surg provides a safe place to openly discuss any fears or anxieties a patient may be experiencing,” added Danyel Gish. “Our nurses are kind, compassionate and highly-trained professionals that work hand-in-hand with our patients to maintain their safety and wellness. We understand that being in the hospital can be a difficult experience, but we work hard to provide a calming presence and reassurance. We identify different ways to connect with our patients by holding their hands, listening, educating and providing individualized care and interventions.” Much like many other departments across Renown, for med-surg, their patients’ accomplishments are their accomplishments. Witnessing one of their patients reach a significant milestone in their healthcare journey inspires them to continue doing what they do best: provide care driven by equal parts determination and hope. “The biggest accomplishment for me is seeing a patient complete their last round of chemotherapy with us and getting to ring our ‘Chemo Bell,’” added Trevor Owens, Unit Clerk at the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute. “There is no greater joy than witnessing the happiness and relief of a patient completing a step in their healthcare journey." Working tirelessly to provide exceptional care to every patient – and celebrating all their wins along the way – alongside their dedication to Renown’s cultural commitments of Caring and Collaboration are what make our med-surg nurses prosper day-in, day-out.
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