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© AndreyPopov via Canva.com Becoming a Hometown Health plan member opens you up to the largest provider network in our region. As northern Nevada’s only not-for-profit health insurance company, the hometown advantage goes beyond your health coverage – and you may not be using all the perks available to you. Here are three benefits that Hometown Health is proud to offer all members to enhance wellbeing and connect the dots between healthcare and technology.  MyChart  MyChart is Renown Health's and Hometown Health’s secure online member portal that gives you direct access to your health and benefit information. From 24/7 access to your benefits and important documents to scheduling an appointment with your provider, this free tool is a great way to keep track of your family’s health. If you have a Renown primary care provider, you can use MyChart to:  Securely email your healthcare provider. Get your test results faster and view your After Visit Summaries. Request prescription refills. Schedule and check-in for appointments. Pay your bill. Request your medical records and review immunization records. Manage designated health care agents and upload end-of-life documents, such as advance directives and a living will. View or download your documents: Member ID Card, Summary of Care, Explanation of Benefits, Referrals and Authorizations. Get in touch with our Customer Engagement Center.  Telehealth  Virtual visits have never been easier thanks to Renown Telehealth and Teladoc. These two tools are convenient options that allow members to be seen by a qualified doctor via phone or video chat who can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication for many non-emergent medical conditions – no matter where you are. Some of the health issues your virtual provider can treat include:   Cold and flu Allergies Sore throat Sinus infection Respiratory infection Stomach bug Ear infection Urinary tract infection  Both Renown Telehealth and Teladoc are also staffed with specialists in behavioral health, where you can speak with a therapist or psychiatrist on a wide variety of issues, including:  Stress and anxiety Depression Trauma Grief Burnout Medication management  Renown is also proud to offer access to top-level specialty care to address your ongoing condition and help guide you through illness maintenance and education. Through Renown Telehealth, Hometown Health members have access to a variety of specialties, including (but not limited to):  Adolescent Medicine Cardiology Hematology, Oncology and Pediatric Oncology Nephrology Pediatric Endocrinology Pediatric Neurology Pulmonary and Pediatric Pulmonary Sleep Medicine  New in recent years, Teladoc is now proud to offer both dermatology and nutrition visits. Teladoc dermatologists can treat conditions like acne, rosacea and rashes, while their registered dieticians can help you manage your nutrition and weight goals.  Booking an appointment with Renown Telehealth is easy by heading over to MyChart and selecting “Schedule an Appointment.” To book an appointment with a Teladoc provider, visit teladoc.com or download the Teladoc app.  Renown Telehealth is available within the state of Nevada, and Teladoc is available in all 50 states. Your copay can be as low as $0 for each visit; check your plan documents for more information.  Doctoroo  The house call has returned – avoid long urgent care waits with Doctoroo. Through Doctoroo, Hometown Health members have access to in-home urgent care services at the same price as your regular urgent care copay. A call to Doctoroo will dispatch a fully equipped medical team consisting of an EMT and either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to your home within a few hours. Whether you need treatment or testing, each team is ready to provide care in the comfort of your own home with their over 60 medications and antibiotics, EKGs, wound dressings, IVs, catheters and more.  Doctoroo care teams can address and treat many non-emergent care areas and conditions, including (but not limited to): Respiratory Ear, Nose, Throat Eye Wound Care Cardiac Care Musculoskeletal Gastroenterology  Doctoroo is open year-round from 7 a.m. to midnight. Book a house call in minutes in the Doctoroo app or by calling (888) 888-9930.

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Giving birth expends as much energy as running a marathon. And just like you would only run a marathon with training beforehand, there are exercises you can do to prepare for birth. But instead of a coach, you'll have your birth team. Your birth team exists to help you navigate pregnancy and labor and support your choices. Let's say you've never put together a birth team before and are wondering where to start. Today we'll go over the three main positions to fill for your birth team's starting lineup. Birthing Person The birthing person is the leader of the team. After all, you can't have a birth team without someone giving birth. This person could be the baby's mother, gestational surrogate, birth parent before adoption, a transgender father or a non-binary parent. If you are not the birthing person, don't presume to know what the ideal labor and birth circumstances should be. And if you are the birthing person, don't allow anyone else to tell you what you want. This is your body and your birth; you are the boss in the birth room. Doula No birth team is complete without a doula, and although doulas have increased in popularity lately, many people still don't know what a doula is. Simply put, a doula is a birth professional – not a medical provider – who offers emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, labor and beyond. Most doulas' services include at least one prenatal visit and one postpartum visit, as well as continuous care throughout active labor. Some doulas provide more than one prenatal/postpartum visit, so be sure to ask what is included in their fee. Even if you have a partner who will support you during labor, studies have shown that a doula can significantly increase your likelihood of a positive birth outcome. Even the most supportive partner needs to rest, and a doula can ensure that you still get the care you need while your partner gets a break. Midwife or Obstetrician Finally, you'll want to choose the medical professional who will attend your birth. Many folks choose to give birth with the OB/GYN who does their annual check-ups, but there are many reasons someone might choose a different provider for their birth. The first step to finding the best attending provider for your birth is to decide which model of care aligns closest to your values and goals: the Midwifery Model of Care or the Medical Model of Care. .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-gqvw{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-weight:bold; text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-8vim{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-size:18px; font-weight:bold;text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-qm8j{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;text-align:left; vertical-align:top} .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-gqvw{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-weight:bold; text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-8vim{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-size:18px; font-weight:bold;text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-2rvk{background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;text-align:left; vertical-align:top} Midwifery Model of Care Medical Model of Care Philosophy Birth is physiological. Birth is potentially pathological. Interventions Medical interventions can cause more complications, and therefore are only used as needed. Medical interventions should be used, even in non-emergency situations and sometimes as preventative measures. Decisions Birthing person is the key decision maker. Medical professional is the key decision maker. Provider’s Role Providers monitor labor and will intervene or transfer to hospital if needed. Providers assess and control the birthing process.

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By taking our pregnancy and birth class, you will gain the tools necessary to have a safe and empowering birth experience for both you and your baby. Chris Marlo, Childbirth Educator at Renown Health explains why birth classes are important. For questions regarding classes or tours, contact Chris Marlo: chris.marlo@renown.org 775-982-4352 What is a Certified Childbirth Educator/Doula? If you are expecting a baby, Renown has a wide variety of classes to help prepare you for birth. Classes are taught by certified childbirth educators and doulas. A certified childbirth educator is a trusted resource who has a passion for educating expecting parents about childbirth, and will provide you with non-biased, evidence-based information. A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. As you prepare for birth, our certified educators will guide you each step of the way and ensure you receive the quality care you deserve.

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Pictured above: A section of Renown’s Labor Assessment Area.  When patients expecting a new child are about to give birth, nerves can be especially heightened. Questions flood their minds: Is the baby actually on the way? What’s going to happen next? Are we ready to push?   Lucky for them, at Renown Health, the guesswork can finally end with Renown’s Labor & Delivery unit Labor Assessment Area. This unique space is a triage area that helps make more precise labor diagnoses by determining exactly what stage expectant parents are at in the labor process.  Funded by a state grant more than a decade ago, the six-bed Labor Assessment Area sees 500-600 patients per month – from patients entering the unit directly, unsure if they are in active labor, to patients who are sent over from elsewhere experiencing labor symptoms, such as high blood pressure and water breaking. The area also serves as a pre-operation space for patients getting ready for procedures such as C-sections. The six cubicles that are enclosed with doors and curtains ensure each patient gets the private, one-on-one care they need. Furthermore, rather than sitting in a waiting room, this area allows expectant parents a comfortable place to prepare for labor.  “We are a unit that prides ourselves on getting patients into beds very quickly,” said Debbie Hawley, Associate Nurse Manager in Renown’s Labor & Delivery unit. “This area has allowed us to triage more effectively and allow more patients to collaborate with their provider in a quick manner.”

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Parents welcoming their new bundles of joy into the world might be overcome with emotions. They're exhausted yet excited to meet their new baby and hold them in their arms. That’s where Renown Health’s Labor & Delivery (L&D) department comes in. When patients arrive at the L&D unit in Renown Regional Medical Center, they are embraced with caring, compassionate nurses, surgical technicians and physicians ready to serve their family. As they get ready for the big moment in their private L&D room or family suite, you can be certain that you, they can be certain that they will receive the excellent care they deserve. Unpredictable, but Never Unprepared  Ushering in new life can bring a lot of surprises for parents, but the L&D department is prepared for any challenge. Whether the unit is helping with a routine or high-risk delivery, every patient and newborn are treated with personalized care that is uniquely tailored to their own individual needs and birth preferences, from labor evaluation and birth to post-birth lactation consultation and navigating the nursery.  “Our floor is never predictable,” said Bri Goode, Renown L&D nurse. “Our nurses and our staff work as a team to ensure the best care for our patients. I commonly say that we are all 'nurses’ for each patient!”  The state-of-the-art technology at their fingertips – including advanced 3D ultrasound machines – coupled with the love and passion the team has for their patients allows them to create an optimal environment for every mother and baby. The unit is also equipped with a Labor Assessment Area, where expectant mothers are evaluated to determine what stage of labor they are in, removing the guesswork and allowing providers to treat the patient and unborn child more efficiently and meet them exactly where they are at in the labor process.  Nothing can replace the careful guidance and words of encouragement a patient needs in the delivery room. The L&D department are true patient advocates and firmly believe in the power of listening and the power of staying calm and collected.  “To help our patients and ease their fears and anxieties, we always ensure them that our biggest goal is to have a healthy mom and healthy baby,” said Lindsay Strowmatt, Renown L&D nurse. “We constantly reinforce that they are strong and capable. Empowerment goes a long way!”  “We always take the time to actually sit down and listen to the patient, no matter how busy we are,” added Krystie Mortensen, Renown L&D nurse and DAISY Award winner. “It’s important for us to understand where their nerves are stemming from and address any changes in plan of care along the way.”  While the L&D unit is seen as a “happy place,” as described repeatedly by the members of the team, a seemingly low-risk patient can also turn into an emergency in a matter of seconds.   "Our line of work can involve high-stakes emergency care,” said April Tucker, Renown L&D nurse. “We view change as a necessary part of growth, and we save lives.”  These steps result in high patient outcome scores, which can be attributed directly to the unit.  “We have continually great outcomes from hard work and consistency in care,” said Roya Galata, Renown L&D nurse and Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA) Lifetime Achievement awardee. “I have tremendous love for my patients and the type of work I do.”  Awards Without End  With patient safety and experience always top of mind, and with the team continually going above and beyond for all parents and their newborns, it’s no wonder why the L&D department has achieved a long and growing list of both local and national awards and accolades.   This year, U.S. News & World Report ranked the L&D unit at Renown Regional as "High Performing in Maternity Care – Uncomplicated Pregnancy.” This award is only the latest in this department’s “Best Of” accolades list, as the unit also achieved a win as the Best Place to Have a Baby in the 2022 Best of Reno Awards.  Not only is the department continually recognized, but individual team members also receive coveted awards within their professional associations. As previously mentioned, Krystie Mortensen is a DAISY Award winner, which means that she has been recognized for the “super-human work” she has done throughout her career. Additionally, three team members, including Roya Galata, have received NOA awards, celebrating their contributions to the nursing profession as a whole.  Many nurses in this department also choose to pursue lifelong learning by taking advantage of the educational benefits that Renown offers. Several team members have completed their continuing education in midwifery and advanced practice, reaffirming their dedication to delivering healthy babies and helping parents manage their first few days with their newborns.  “The teamwork on this unit is phenomenal, and the energy and commitment that the staff comes in with every single day amazes me,” said Lora Carlson, Renown L&D Manager of Nursing.  Internally, the L&D department loves to show their spirit at Renown. In December, they received the Best Holiday Decoration award during the 2021 holiday season. The team also enjoys participating (and scoring well) in Renown-sponsored Halloween costume contests.  In 2023, the L&D department will only pursue greater heights to continue producing patient outcomes.  A Work Family  “I stay here because this is my family. My work family.”  These strong words were proudly stated by Jeanne Bufkin, Renown L&D Surgical Technician, and echoed by virtually every L&D employee. Having each other’s backs during both times of need and times of celebration is a must in this department, and they do so proudly.  “Our staff constantly back each other up,” added Lora Carlson. “They display a lot of adaptability and flexibility. That’s why our unit functions as well as it does.”  Several team members in this department experienced the care of the L&D unit at Renown before they became fully-fledged employees.  “I had two of my babies here and had wonderful experiences both times,” said Judy McBride, Unit Clerk. “I love being a part of the reason why the next woman can say the same!”  Bri Goode also delivered her child at Renown and loved her experience so much that she was also inspired to join the team. “I chose to work at Renown because when I had such a positive experience during my delivery while I was in nursing school, I knew it was a team I wanted to be a part of.”  Coming to Renown was clearly an easy decision for this team; staying at Renown is even easier.  “I stay here because I love what I do and who I do it with,” said Judy McBride. “I truly feel like I am treated as an asset to this department, and it makes me want to come to work every day and make a difference in these mothers’ lives.”  The closeness of this department and the top-of-the-line collaboration displayed by every provider can be felt by the patients during their entire stay at Renown.   “We have an amazing collaborative team of physicians, nurses, scrub techs, unit clerks, patient access representatives and environmental services personnel that strive to provide our patients with the best possible care,” said April Tucker.  The labor and delivery process is a team effort – and those interested in jumping in on this team effort are welcome to join. Delivering healthy babies and supporting new mothers are cornerstone acts in meeting Renown’s mission of making a genuine difference in the communities we serve. Our L&D department does precisely this and more, never giving up in Fighting the Good Fight.

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Stroke is unfortunately common, with 1 in 5 American women experiencing it each year. When it comes to a stroke the phrase “time is brain” speaks to the urgency of getting rapid care. In fact, a woman may lose nearly 2 million neurons per minute of oxygen loss to the brain. The Renown Health Comprehensive Stroke Center experts share the importance of timely treatment and how stroke symptoms can differ in women. Women and Stroke – Surprising Symptoms  Each year stroke affects more women than men. Even more concerning, women are less likely to recover from a stroke. The following non-traditional, less common, warning signs can be common in women: Hiccups with chest pain Sudden disorientation, drowsiness, confusion or a general altered mental status Nausea or vomiting A sudden headache that feels like the ‘worst headache of your life’ Unusual chest pain (especially with hiccups) Body numbness or weakness, such as an arm or leg suddenly ‘falling asleep’ Fainting or loss of consciousness Stroke Diagnosis The first step is neuroimaging by CT scan. This allows for rapid identification of any bleed, and also assists in determining candidacy for the early clot busting medication. MRI brain imaging is much higher resolution, and can better determine the core stroke size, assisting in prognosis and recovery. Since strokes have several different origins, an inpatient workup is essential to determine the underlying cause. Whether the stroke is secondary to plaque in the large vessels, clots being thrown in the setting of atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm), or small vessel disease from years of uncontrolled vascular risk factors (high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes), determining the cause is essential to implementing a management plan to reduce risk for further strokes. Quick Treatment for Stroke is Key Early recognition of stroke symptoms and seeking prompt attention is paramount. There are interventions that can be instituted to minimize the stroke and increase likelihood of recovery, but only if a patient presents to the hospital early. A clot busting medication, called tPA, can be given to patients with stroke if given within 4-5 hours from time of onset. Renown Regional Health Center is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level of stroke certification available. To earn the designation of comprehensive stroke center, a hospital has to meet stringent requirements, including biannual on-site evaluations. This includes care for ischemic stroke patients (lack of blood flow), hemorrhagic stroke patients (bleeds), and determining the underlying cause to guide secondary stroke management prevention. Stroke Symptoms Remember “B.E.F.A.S.T.” to recognize the symptoms of a stroke below: B – Balance Being off balance or dizzy, is common. E – Eyes An eyesight change such as blurring or double vision may occur. F – Face droop One side of the face, or lip, droops A – Arm weakness Does one arm drift down? S – Speech Talking may slur or sound strange. T – Time Time to call 911. Call an ambulance immediately if you or anyone else, experiences any of these symptoms.

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Virtual visits are basically secure, video conferencing visits with your health provider. Of course if you are sick, you want to avoid going outside of your house. With Renown Health’s virtual visit program, you can now see a provider from the comfort of your own home. As we work to keep all of our patients home and healthy, we’re here for any ongoing healthcare needs you have. There are two easy ways to access a virtual visit with Renown Health. If you need an urgent care visit, you can get in line using your MyChart account You can make a virtual visit with some Renown Health providers you see currently Virtual Urgent Care from a Renown Provider By using MyChart, you can now login and request to “Talk to a Doctor.” After filling in some information and confirming your healthcare concern, you will be put into a virtual line. The healthcare team will notify you by text or email when a provider is ready to talk to you virtually. Virtual urgent care visits are available for all ages. Get To Know MyChart Virtual urgent care visits are available for all ages, and can address: Common cold and cough symptoms Muscular, tendon or joint pains not caused by injury Allergy or sinus symptoms Pink eye Urinary discomfort Diarrhea without vomiting Rashes or skin sores Backache Nail problems Screening examination for sexually transmitted illness (without symptoms) Medication refills (not controlled substances) Symptoms for In-Person Urgent Care Visits Shortness of breath Chest pain Abdominal pain Numbness or weakness of any location that is new Traumatic injuries (including eye injuries or something in the eye) Severe pain of any other body location Dizziness or confusion Bleeding from any location High fever (greater than 102 degrees for all ages) Persistent vomiting Loss of vision Ear pain Substance abuse or psychiatric problems Virtual visits are open 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for Nevada residents. Renown Provider Virtual Visits Many primary and specialty care appointments for adults and children are now available virtually. If you have a provider with Renown Medical Group, call 775-982-5000 to see if you can have a virtual appointment from the comfort of your home. MyChart Assistance If you need assistance with your MyChart account, please call 775-982-6686. For all other questions about scheduling and appointments, please call 775-982-5000.

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