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Department Spotlight: Pharmacy
When it comes to each patientâs healthcare journey, medication is often a key chapter. After all, medication is one of the most common treatment methods to help patients on the road back to health. In 2023, 4.83 billion prescriptions were filled in the U.S., and with this number only anticipated to rise annually, having an expert pharmacy team on your side to make certain you are prescribed the ideal dosage to treat your condition, prepare your prescriptions on time and help you manage your medications responsibly is important. Fortunately, at Renown Health, we have best-in-class inpatient and outpatient pharmacy teams to fill both prescriptions and promises for excellent care. Renown Pharmacy plays a vital role in helping us foster a health system that prioritizes patient well-being above all else. This department exemplifies the impact that a unified, expert pharmacy team can have on patient outcomes now and in the future. The Masters of Medication Spanning three hospitals plus ambulatory locations across the health system, Renownâs growing pharmacy team â full of dedicated pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and even medical assistants â manages medications in a wide variety of patient settings, touching nearly every aspect of the healthcare continuum: Outpatient Retail Pharmacies Renown Regional Medical Center â 75 Pringle Way The Healthcare Center â 21 Locust Street Renown South Meadows Medical Center â 10101 Double R Blvd Inpatient Pharmacies Renown Rehabilitation Hospital Renown Regional Medical Center (including Renown Childrenâs Hospital) Renown South Meadows Medical Center COMING SOON: Conrad Breast Center Pharmacy (in honor of Kristina Ferrari) in the Specialty Care Center at Renown South Meadows Ambulatory Pharmacies Anticoagulation Services â Institute for Heart & Vascular Health (IHVH) Pharmacotherapy Program â IHVH and Renown Medical Group Locations Congestive Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy Program â Center for Advanced Medicine B at Renown Regional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Pharmacotherapy Program â Renown South Meadows Endocrinology Pharmacotherapy Program â Renown South Meadows Additional Pharmacy Programs Medical Reconciliation Pharmacy Residency Clinical pharmacists at Renown bridge the gap between medicine and compassionate support, making sure each patient receives personalized care one prescription at a time. âThere are various roles pharmacists play within Renown,â said Clarissa Munoz, Clinical Pharmacist in the Renown Regional Inpatient Pharmacy. âStaff pharmacists work diligently to ensure correct medications are dispensed, and if compounded, make sure they were prepared properly. They also work hard to answer medication messages and phone calls, help verify orders and make sure ode trays/RSI kits are appropriately stocked and ready when needed. Clinical pharmacists work from satellite pharmacies on the floor and focus on reviewing patient charts and aim to provide additional interventions to the providers to optimize treatment strategies. We also serve as a resource for nursing staff and help answer medication questions.â âMy role in the pharmacy is pretty expansive,â added Chanelle Ajimura, Clinical Pharmacist in the Renown Regional Outpatient Pharmacy. âI maintain inventory to confirm patients can receive their medications in a timely manner both for our discharge and retail patients while balancing the Meds to Beds program, which offers medication delivery to the bedside and bedside medication counseling; collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to find the most affordable price for patients; and verifying that the dose, strength, indication, etc. is appropriate for the patient from start to finish.â âIn the pharmacy, I make sure patients are receiving appropriate drug therapy by checking for major drug interactions and ensuring appropriate dosing,â added Courtney Church, Clinical Pharmacist in the Renown Regional Outpatient Pharmacy. âI also make recommendations to providers so patients can get cost-effective therapy.â Our pharmacy technicians work behind-the-scenes ensuring efficient medication management, making a difference in the lives of patients every day. âA pharmacy technician is responsible for making sure the patient gets their medications on time and at the lowest price possible,â said Nate Graham, Pharmacy Technician in the Renown Regional Outpatient Pharmacy. âThis is done by working with patients, insurance companies and case workers. We fill prescriptions, enter prescriptions into our system, receive and send orders for medications and maintain a clean pharmacy with an accurate inventory.â âWe do a variety of things; the task people probably know the most is counting out the medications and putting them in the amber vials,â added Rachel Vallin, Pharmacy Technician in the Renown Regional Outpatient Pharmacy. âWe also help patients at the front of the pharmacy, ring out their prescriptions, answer some basic questions (deferring to a pharmacist as necessary) and billing insurance. Meds to Beds is my favorite part because I feel the most involved. I take medications to patients who are discharging up to their hospital rooms so they have it with them when they leave.â âAs a technician, I confirm that all medications of new admissions are available in our machines prior to admitting and then maintain stock during each patientâs stay,â added Tammara Axtman, Pharmacy Technician at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. "I also assist our nurses when needed in regard to any of their questions with both EPIC and Omnicell.â Our pharmacy team is also on the move all across our health system, thanks to our Ambulatory Pharmacy programs. For patients experiencing a serious heart, lung, or endocrine condition that requires ongoing drug therapy maintenance and guidance, our ambulatory pharmacies step in to carefully monitor how their medications impact their health and well-being. âOur role as pharmacists in this department is non-traditional because we actually see patients in the exam rooms face-to-face,â said Cory Lankford, Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist for Renownâs Anticoagulation Services. âWe modify their medication regimens and drug recommendations under collaborative practice agreements.â âBecause our role is so unique, we have a lot of opportunities to make a positive impact on patients,â added Janeen Abe, Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist for Renownâs Anticoagulation Services. âWe do a lot of direct patient interaction, including counseling patients on their medications and helping them navigate through their disease state.â âAs a medical assistant in this department, weâre called the patient âliaisonsâ to orchestrate who they should go to whether itâs a nurse, a provider or a pharmacist,â added Kiara Scruggs, Medical Assistant for Renownâs Anticoagulation Services. âWe look at each patientâs medications and help with the Warfarin blood thinner monitor. We get to do a lot with patients." A key resource within the Pharmacy department and the emergency admission process, our Medical Reconciliation ("Med Rec") team stays on top of each patient's medication records. By ensuring each medication regimen is accurately reflected in each patient's chart and that patients continue to take their at-home medications while admitted to the hospital, this team provides vital insight into medications that could be a contributing factor to each patient's symptoms, including drug interactions. âOur medication reconciliation pharmacy technician team are true detectives,â said Heather Townsend, Clinical Pharmacy Supervisor. âWhen a patient arrives to the hospital, Med Rec works with patients, families, caregivers and outpatient pharmacies to compile a list of medications the patient has been taking a home. This list is used to make sure medications are not contributing to the patientâs symptoms and to assure medications are continued throughout the hospital stay. The addition of the medication reconciliation team has been one of the greatest advancements in medication safety.â âAs a Med Rec Tech, we interview patients and family members and call pharmacies, skilled nursing facilities, etc. to obtain an accurate and complete medication list/history to outline what the patient is currently taking on a daily basis,â added Kara McGee, Medical Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician. âWe make sure that we document the correct medication, dose, route, frequency and directions. This information is crucial because the nurses, pharmacists and physicians look at our work to figure out if any medications are contributing to the patient's health condition, and for the continuation of home medications on admission.â âEven though the Med Rec Tech might seem small in the hospital realm, it is very vital for patient information and beneficial to the patient's health,â added Brizza Villafan, Medical Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician. âThere is never a dull moment in this work.â No matter the diagnosis, having Renown Pharmacy as an integral part of your healthcare team is a win-win situation for both you and them: you receive access to medication to help you heal, delivered to you with precision and care, and the pharmacy team has the opportunity to care for you and make a positive impact, a role they take seriously.
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Department Spotlight: Wound Care
For the average person, wounds arenât an everyday worry. However, for at least eight million Americans, chronic wounds can pose a serious threat to health and well-being. From a person with diabetes experiencing painful neuropathy to a patient healing from a significant burn, caring for advanced wounds is a major part of their healthcare journey. Who do they go to get the care and guidance they need? The answer: Renown Wound Care. Serving patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, this department provides comprehensive, best-in-class treatments for severe and chronic wound healing and ostomy care. Our Wound Care team members have mastered the art of harnessing cutting-edge technologies and a patient-centric approach to redefine the standards of healing. Advanced Care for the Best Repair At Renown Health, we are fortunate to have a team full of nurses, physicians and more caring for patients with wounds caused by a wide variety of conditions. Those include: Burns Trauma Vascular diseases Radiation therapy Pressure ulcers Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy Adding to the expert-level continuum of care, Renown is the only health system offering complete ostomy services in the entire region. The Wound Care team helps ostomy patients with the fitting of their medical bags, treatment of any skin conditions that may arise after ostomy bag placement, care coordination and much more. With a multidisciplinary network of experts tailoring personalized treatment plans, there is never a dull moment on the floor. On the outpatient side, the team expects 50-60 patients in one day alone. âAs a clinician, wound care is a lot of âarts and crafts,â so we get to use our creative and critical thinking skills to provide the best possible care,â said Samantha Moore, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Outpatient Wound Care. âEach patient has an individualized plan of care â we greet them as they come into the clinic, escort them back to their treatment rooms and get their latest health updates and life situations before providing wound or ostomy care. We prepare each morning doing chart reviews to determine patient needs, wound progression and referral needs.â âWe are a highly specialized, dedicated group of professionals with a passion to treat and heal our patientsâ wounds,â added Lori Conner, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Outpatient Wound Care. âWhen a patient comes to our clinic for evaluation, they are given a dedicated appointment to thoroughly go over their medical and surgical history, medications and nature of the wound.â Switching over to the inpatient care team, they operate like a well-oiled assembly line, navigating different daily assignments with precision and flexibility. âOn the inpatient side, our day starts in our office with triaging our consult list; after the triage process is completed, we get our assignments, which can consist of wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) patients, follow-up patients, ostomy education patients and new wound consults,â said Megan Uy, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Inpatient Wound Care. âIn the case of patients requiring wound VAC changes, we consider what kind of pre-medication for pain that they need. Although some patients may be seen on a time schedule, the day ends up flexible as patients are being seen by other specialties. This flexibility also benefits the patients, making them feel more empowered with their care.â âEach day in the inpatient setting, we get to our office and sort through all the new consults that came in overnight, and the charge nurse makes the assignment for the day,â added Madison Arlin, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Inpatient Wound Care. âAfter the assignment is completed, each nurse is responsible for researching their patients and organizing their day, typically by priority â wound VACs and ostomies usually take top priority.â Now, how do these treatments actually work? This specialized field handles advanced methods of treating each condition, including: Biological skin substitutes Surgical debridement Advanced wound dressings Negative pressure therapy Pre-ostomy markings and education Offloading techniques, such as padding or dressing âBefore starting treatments, we communicate with our nurses and providers to make sure that the patient is comfortable prior to wound care,â said Dianna Seo, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Inpatient Wound Care. âAfter we see the patient, if there is a need for escalated care, we contact the provider for additional testing or consults. We continue to follow-up on patients that have severe wounds, wound VACs and ostomies.â In the hands of the Wound Care team, patients exit our hospital walls not only restored but also empowered, set on a trajectory for long-term healing. Your Expert Care Guides No matter the case or the severity of the wound or condition, patient care, comfort and communication always come first â before, during and after treatment.  âMany of our patients have chronic needs, so we end up seeing them for several months, if not years in some cases; we stay up to date with their specific psychosocial needs and help remove barriers that would prevent their wounds from healing,â said Samantha Moore. âI enjoy knowing that my positive attitude can improve our patientsâ days,â added Maddie Pauley, Patient Access Representative for Outpatient Wound Care. âWhen theyâre routinely coming to appointments they might not enjoy, hearing them praise our team and give their thanks is one of the most rewarding feelings.â As a wound care patient, there can be a lot of unknowns when beginning their care journey. However, these team members carefully walk each patient through every step from beginning to end. âWhen we go to see a wound care patient, our team is very consistent about explaining to the patients what our role is and what we plan to do with their wound, and then we continue to actively communicate throughout wound care each step that we are doing as we are doing it,â said Madison Arlin. âWe also encourage some of our patients to listen to music that they enjoy during the wound care, or we will cover their eyes with a cloth if they request so that they don't have to see their wound. Sometimes, we will ask the family to stay at the bedside to hold their family member's hand.â Education is crucial to ensuring each patient knows what to expect in order to care for their wound and understanding the stages of healing. Fortunately, this team is well-versed in the world of wound wisdom. âA lot of education is provided on the type of dressing we are applying, and if the patient is going to be performing their own dressing changes, we will go over the entire change with them and provide supplies for discharge,â said Megan Uy. âAdditionally, there will be written instructions in their discharge paperwork. In the cases of wound VAC dressing changes, each step is explained to the patient before doing it, and we also go over discharge options and expectations.â âAs a clinician who sees a lot of patients prior to having their ostomy placed (pre-surgical marking), one of the most important things we do is first sit with the patient and/or caregivers and talk about their fears, concerns, questions and goals,â said Samantha Moore. âWe provide a lot of emotional support and education, helping identify community resources. For our wound patients, we spend a lot of time educating our patients/caregivers about how and why their wounds occurred. We try to connect with them on a personal level and help them identify ways to help their wounds heal.â To see a patientâs care journey from the second they enter through our doors to the moment they return home is one of the most rewarding feelings for the Wound Care teams. In fact, theyâve had the pleasure of treating patients for years and seeing their wounds almost completely heal. The team collectively values the successful healing journeys of their patients as their proudest achievement. âOne of our team's greatest accomplishments was being able to see one of our long-term patients discharged with nearly resolved wounds,â said Megan Uy. âThis patient had been in our care on-and-off for the past year with many hospitalizations and had complicated high-output enterocutaneous fistulas within his wound bed. These were incredibly hard to keep a dressing on successfully, and he often had issues with the dressing leaking. Eventually, we got a dressing that could remain intact until his next scheduled dressing change, and he was able to get surgery that fixed his fistulas. Being able to see him recover and heal his wounds was a very large accomplishment for us.â The admiration and compassion this team has for their patients also extends to each other. The cohesive way they work together only further benefits their patients, offering the best-possible collaborative care. âWe have extremely skilled clinicians in our group that are not only incredible in the work that they do and the patient care that they provide but are also enjoyable to work with as well,â said Geane Weaver, Advanced Wound Care Specialist RN for Inpatient Wound Care. âThere is something to be admired in each and every one of my coworkers.â âOur team is very close and supportive of each other at all times,â added Madison Arlin. âI feel very lucky to work with such an amazing group of people. Our team is very proud of the work we do.â Fervently Fighting the Good Fight So, with the highly specialized nature of advanced wound care, how did these team members get inspired to join the Wound Care team in the first place? Well, for many of these devoted employees, their first exposure to caring for wounds took place on different units â sparking their interest in making wound care their full-time career. âRenown was the most welcoming towards me as a student nurse, and I liked that it was a teaching hospital,â said Madison Arlin. âI started in the General Surgical Unit (GSU) immediately after graduating nursing school and worked there for two years before transferring to wound care. I decided to apply to the wound team after watching the wound nurses do wound VACs and ostomy changes on the floor. I would ask them if I could watch, and I was always very fascinated by the wound healing process.â âPrior to joining the inpatient wound team, like Madison, I was also a bedside nurse in GSU,â added Geane Weaver. âWorking on that floor, I was already exposed to a lot of patients that were requiring some kind of advanced wound care in one way or another. Working in the GSU, I also cared for a lot of patients that had wound VACs and ostomies. These patients make up a huge group of the individuals that our team sees on a regular basis, and they've always been intriguing for me, so naturally, wound care has always been on my radar.â For other team members, wound care has always been a point of curiosity throughout their education and career. From their very first exposure to this care area, they were hooked. âI was always curious about wound care even through my nursing school experience,â said Dianna Seo. âWhen I was working on the floor, I would trade to do wound care for patients. When I had time, I would follow wound care and help when I could. I joined the skin team which drove me to be increasingly involved with wound care. As soon as there was a job opening, I applied for the position. I worked in outpatient wound care for approximately four years and now inpatient for another four years. I have enjoyed all aspects of wound care and patient care.â  âI had great clinical experience at Renown when I was in nursing school; I also was very interested in caring for trauma patients, and Renown being a Level II trauma center aligned with my interests,â added Megan Uy. âI began my nursing career in the GSU, but my dream job was always Wound Care. During my nursing school clinicals, I had the opportunity to watch some members of the wound team do wound VAC changes and thought it was incredibly intriguing and a great combination of utilizing the knowledge of anatomy and physiology while being creative with handicraft. A position opened on the team around the time I met the prerequisites to be eligible for the position, and luckily, I got it.â Our Wound Care team has achieved significant employee and departmental milestones over the past year, reflecting their dedication to enhancing patient care and overall process improvement. âWe have had many accomplishments within the last year and are currently working on more to improve the hospital,â said Dianna Seo. âMadison Arlin won the DAISY Award for her great work with our patients. Megan Uy won Top Talent of the Quarter for helping a stranger. Ande Ferriera has worked tirelessly to improve our process improvement. Allie Saunders, as our leader, has worked to improve patient skin by getting new beds for Renown Regional. All our patients that have healed or are on their way to healing under our care is our greatest achievement that we as wound team is most proud of.â âWe are constantly updating protocols, notes and orders for bedside nursing so that it is a more straightforward and seamless charting process,â added Madison Arlin. âWe have representatives of different supply companies come and present new products that we think may benefit our patients better. Our wonderful tech has even updated our department site on Inside Renown so that the nurses always have references available.â Renownâs strong influence in the region â and the opportunity to give back to their community â was, and continues to be, a major draw for this team. âSince I can remember, Renown has always been the most prevalent healthcare name for my family and has always taken the most amazing, thorough care of my loved ones,â said Maddie Pauley. âI have always wanted to work somewhere I could help people, and starting at Renown has really opened my eyes into how much of a difference each one of us can make.â Our Wound Care departmentâs success stories and proactive approach not only reflect their passion for healing but also inspire a ripple effect of positive change throughout our health system. They proudly exemplify a shared commitment to enhancing the well-being of all patients under their care. âBeing part of Renown and part of this team has been my blessing; I get to do a job I love with people that love it too,â closed Dianna Seo.
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Celebrating Blood Sugar Balance This Holiday Season
As the holiday season draws near, we find more reasons to celebrate with loved ones. At Renown Health, we are kicking off the celebrations early this November with American Diabetes Month. Approximately 37 million Americans, including 270,000 Nevadans, have been diagnosed with diabetes with as many as 95% of those diagnosed living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs because your body is not using insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas to help cells use the food we eat for energy) as well as it should, resulting in high blood sugar levels. It is important to obtain a diagnosis for T2DM and ensure it is well-controlled to prevent serious health complications. Those with diabetes are at higher risk for blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and amputation. Tips for Supporting Your Health with Type 2 Diabetes Know Your Blood Sugar Levels: Work with your healthcare provider to establish target blood sugar levels, and make sure to monitor your levels regularly as advised by your healthcare provider to prevent or delay health complications associated with T2DM. Focus on Your Plate: Eating foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats or plant-based proteins, healthy fats and whole grains supports diabetes management. If choosing healthy foods is difficult due to your busy schedule, cost or simply because you arenât sure where to start, talk with your healthcare provider who may refer you to a registered dietitian. Registered dietitian nutritionists are certified nutrition specialists who can provide education and practical tips for eating to support your T2DM diagnosis with visits covered by many insurance plans. Prioritize Staying Active: Engaging in regular exercise is good for everyone, especially those living with T2DM. Exercise helps your cells become more sensitive to insulin and therefore supports healthy blood sugar levels. Always check with your healthcare provider prior to beginning a new exercise plan. Support Stress Reduction: Stress is unavoidable but can be managed through regular exercise, getting enough quality sleep (7-8 uninterrupted hours per night) and practicing meditation and other mindfulness techniques. Plan Ahead for Holiday Gatherings: Thereâs still room for celebration while focusing on blood sugar management. Consider bringing a healthy dish to your gathering, focus on filling your plate with vegetable sides and eating those first and incorporate a family walk after dinner. If traveling, pack nutritious snacks that support your health and keep you full. Lastly, enjoy the special dishes and desserts this season has to offer in single-serving portions.
Read More About Celebrating Blood Sugar Balance This Holiday Season
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Department Spotlight: Patient Access
Health systems across the country recently celebrated Patient Access Week from April 2-8. Join us in recognizing our Patient Access team at Renown! Fighting the Good Fight starts the moment a patient steps onto the grounds of our health system. When patients visit Renown on their healthcare journey, they look to the experts to not only help them navigate through the complexities of the process but also ensure their experience with us starts off on the right foot. Renown Healthâs Patient Access Representatives (also referred to as âPARsâ) are the faces of this entire process. As the key links between patients, providers and insurers, they strive to create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone. PARs are committed to providing all of Renownâs patients access to the quality care when needed. After all, itâs in their name! A Friendly Face PARs are the front faces of almost all clinical areas at Renown. As the starting point for much of the patient experience, the day-in-the-life of PARs can vary. Checking patients in and out, getting demographic information, verifying insurance, answering phone calls, fostering communication between patients and their care teams, scheduling patients for follow-ups, explaining financial responsibilities and our financial aid programs, creating an overall positive experience and environment, the list goes on â but they all remain united under one goal: setting patients off on the right foot as they access care through our health system. âEach day, PARs are met with new patients who are seeking solutions to different concerns,â said Macy Betts, PAR for Renown Womenâs Health. âWe are the front doors to this department. We are not just checking patients in and out; we are the first step to the patients receiving the care they deserve.â âWe take pride in our work,â added Tanya Quintanilla, Shari Longley and Nancy Arroyo Garcia, PARs for Renown Pediatrics. âUsually, we are the first point of contact within Renown, so we donât take our role lightly. For example, when we see a newborn, we must ensure the registration has been verified, which consists of patient demographics, patient preferences and insurance verification. We need to be consistent and thorough because what we do affects every point of contact a patient may have within Renown.â âAs my teamâs senior PAR, my day begins with gathering the outpatient therapy work queue numbers and assigning the team to work them,â added Logan Johnson, Senior PAR in Pre-Registration at Renown. âOur goal is to contact and schedule patients for physical, occupational and/or speech therapy as soon as possible so that they have the maximum benefit and can get back to a normal life as quickly as possible. Our encounters can make or break the entire experience.â PARs never underestimate the power of good communication and compassion. Even during the busiest of times, our PARs work diligently to ensure all patients and their care teams fully understand the administrative side of whichever part of their journey they are about to embark on, lending a helping hand and a smile. âWhether youâre communicating with patients, leaders or coworkers, communication is key,â said Jonathan Figueroa, PAR for the Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health (IHVH). âWe try and make sure that we do everything possible to make their visit go as smoothly as possible.â âCommunication makes the world go round,â added Keith Madrona, Sherry Riley, Erika Rios and Andie Kilpatrick, PARs at Renown Urgent Care â Ryland. âHaving a friendly attitude and demeanor is very important. âThe PARs in Labor & Delivery do so much more than just registering patients â from escorting expectant parents to their rooms, welcoming newborn babies, processing pre-estimates and more â and the patience and excellent communication I receive from other teams is what keeps me going,â added Nanci Barash-Vietti, PAR for Renown Labor & Delivery (L&D). âThis is critical to the success and effectiveness of the PARs in our department.â Shift changes for PARs mimic other teams at Renown, leveraging technology and both written and spoken communication to ensure the next shift begins successfully. "When I come in, the night shift will give me a report on what is going on and what the schedule looks like during the day; then I log in to my computer and get everything that I will need for that day up on the screen,â said Allie Boracchia, PAR for Renown L&D. âUsually around this time we have a 7-8 a.m. induction scheduled for the first patient, so I will grab the pre-made packet that the night shift put together, the unit clerk will call the nurse to get a room number, and I take the patient to the room and have them sign all the forms. After the patient has the baby, then we admit them and finish registration. This is continuous all day long.â Our PARs all agree that regardless of the setting, whether it be emergent or routine, every patient is looking for that advocate from the moment they enter through our doors. âBeing friendly, patient and understanding is a must,â said Sheryl Lundgren, PAR for the William N. Pennington Institute for Cancer. âIt is so nice being able to brighten the days of patients who are living with a cancer diagnosis.â âIn the urgent care setting, a lot of the patients we see are not feeling their best, so it is important that we show them we care and are here to help make check in go smoothly,â added Sam Deithrich, PAR at the Renown Urgent Care â Los Altos.  âPatients are relieved that they are speaking to a real person that will help set up appointments,â added Rick Jordan and Celeste Landry, PARs in Lab Services at Renown South Meadows.  PARs embrace lifelong learning at Renown, especially as their roles differ day-to-day. They are always ready to jump in and assist on tasks that might be new for them, growing their skills on the job and never hesitating to say, âHow can I help?â âAs a PAR, you are always learning new things, even when it seems like you know just about everything,â said Liz Cardenas-Ramos, PAR for Renown Endocrinology. âItâs been such a positive experience.â âGiving yourself grace to learn and grow in Patient Access is the key,â said Maggie Savoie, PAR for Renown Primary Care â Fernley. âI find myself learning every day at Renown, and if youâre learning, youâre growing. Being able to take a breath and say, âthis is a learning opportunity for me, and tomorrow I will be better a better PAR because Iâve gained this knowledgeâ is an amazing way to stay positive in the position.â âIn L&D, we are all multi-tasking, and every day I am learning something new about my department and patients, as well as how to excel in my position,â added Nanci Barash-Vietti. Renown PARs are the front lines to health care access, and they wear that badge with pride. Jeanette Flores, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown South Meadows, sums up the role of Patient Access well: âTalk about first impressions!â âI am proud of our team and the excellent care we give our patients,â said Dawn Linker, PAR for the Renown IHVH. âWe want them to have a good experience.â Impactful Accomplishments The role of our Patient Access team members goes beyond the desk. A patientâs healthcare journey begins, and sometimes even ends, with the helping hands of our PARs, leaving a lasting positive impression of Renown. "Our interactions with the patients make a difference before they see the provider, so we always demonstrate a welcoming and helpful atmosphere for the patients to feel like their needs are being met,â said Mary Dettling, PAR for Renown Endocrinology. âI love seeing the difference we make in peoplesâ lives,â added Shannon Leone, PAR for the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute. âWe can get patients at their toughest and worst times. Watching them overcome their fears, traumas and addictions has been very rewarding.â Our PARs donât just make goals for themselves â time and time again, they surpass them, all in the name of patient experience and excellence. âWe have not only met our monthly point-of-sale scores, but we also have exceeded our stretch goal for the last eight months and our scores have been in the 50th percentile or higher,â said Jeanette Flores. âAlong with being the top point-of-sale collectors, we have also been known to be some of the sweetest and most helpful staff at South Meadows,â said Katie Morrill, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown South Meadows. As their teams grow, so does their impact on our patients. PARs are dedicated to providing the best customer service possible, and with their expanding teams, that service goes even further, even throughout the pandemic. âA year ago, we only had one PAR; now, we have a full and amazing team,â said Alex Bucholz, PAR for Renown Advanced Wound Care. âWe have come so far in a short amount of time.â "During the pandemic, we have maintained a core group of individuals who come in every day and help keep this office and all its parts moving smoothly,â added Shannon Leone. âWe have maintained a full patient load the last three years and never had to close our office for any reason. We have even had the opportunity to start our Medicated Assisted Treatment and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation programs.â "We successfully operated and maintained our pediatric COVID clinic, which is the only one within our five clinics,â added Tanya Quintanilla, Shari Longley and Nancy Arroyo Garcia. âWe feel proud knowing our tiny humans are protected with the COVID vaccine.â Like many other teams at Renown, our PARs are masters at teamwork. Despite any obstacles that may happen along the way, they are always there for each other to ensure every patient gets the care and attention they deserve. âWe call ourselves the âA-Teamâ here in Pulmonary,â said Shannon Birnberg, PAR for Renown Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine. âWe have persevered through changes, additions and departures. We are most proud of bringing different personalities to the team and being super strong and effective.â âI have noticed the team always steps up whenever needed,â added Brittany Hughes, PAR for the Renown IHVH. âEveryone has a great attitude and is very positive!â âWhile our team is fairly new, we are growing together, learning our strengths and weaknesses and always pushing for stronger unity,â added Angel Freer, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown Regional. When our PARs find ways to simplify a process or make a workflow run more efficiently, they donât waste any time in making that happen. They take any opportunity to enhance patient experience. âOur team came up with a solution on how to get patients registered faster,â said Jess Castillo-Marquez, PAR in Lab Services at Renown Regional. âWe came up with modalities which assign each PAR their own procedure in which they will be registering for during their scheduled shift. It has been a great success, helping our productivity and keeping our patients satisfied with our service.â âWe are proud of our successful implementation of our new therapy workflow,â added Logan Johnson. âPatients are now waiting much less to be contacted about their care.â Our PARs know that teamwork makes the dream work, and their commitment to the patients they serve â and the goals they continue to blow out of the water â continue to inspire them daily.  âYou are only as strong as your team,â said Aundie Yonker, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown Regional.
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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 doesnât 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 patientâs care process after hospital admission. As one of the primary rehabilitation partners on a care team, these dedicated therapists are here to maximize every patientâs safe and independent living before they set off back home â all while reducing the risk of hospital readmission. âAs physical therapists, we address musculoskeletal deficits and assess a patientâs current function after acute injury or illness from their baseline and develop a plan for functional recovery,â said Kristie Eide-Hughes, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. âWe 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.â  âOn the occupational therapy side, we work with patients to facilitate their independence with basic life skills, such as dressing, bathing and using the restroom,â added Jeanne Clinesmith, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âIn the pediatric setting, we help babies and kids get back to what they were doing before they came into the hospital,â continued Rhonda Yeager, Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âIn the NICU specifically, we support the development of babies, trying to prevent problems from worsening. Itâs nice to be a source of positivity in an otherwise intimidating situation.â 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. âTherapy 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,â 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. âI 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,â said Kelly Schwarz, Occupational Therapist at Renown South Meadows. âWe provide education as each patientâs acute issues evolve,â added Nicole Leeton, Speech Language Pathologist at Renown Regional. âOne of my favorite parts of my work is the patient and family education aspect, and that includes other healthcare provider education as well. Itâs a moving picture.â 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 âWe get the opportunity to make a personâs bad experience in life better even by spending one session with them, giving them the keys to unlock something that they didnât think they had the ability to do,â 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 patientâs 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. âEarly intervention is a big piece,â said Nicole Leeton. âUs 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.â Acute Care Rehab therapists dig deeply to see the whole picture of each patientâs situation to foster their independence â their history, social skills, support system and more. âSometimes, we are the difference between independence and dependence,â said Dana Robinson. âWe 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.â âFor kids, we teach parents ways they can help their kids by setting up their homes and the equipment they need to succeed,â 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. âRepetition helps people regain their quality of life back sooner and control their recovery process,â said Megan Hough, Physical Therapist at Renown Health. âHelping people continue to get stronger and more independent makes my job so rewarding,â added Sam Brown, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Knowing that they have made a difference and help shape a patientâs 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 patientâs corner. âThis team has the most passionate, caring and dedicated individuals that I know,â 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.â âBy tailoring therapy to the individual, the bounds are virtually limitless for what we can accomplish,â 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. âWe 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,â said Kelly Schwarz. âBy collaborating with each patientâs 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.â âOur team has steady communication with physicians, nurses, acute care technicians, respiratory staff, physician assistants, case managers and more to ensure the best possible care,â 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. âOften times, a patientâs 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,â said Mark Stumpf, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âAnd itâs all a team effort.â âOur therapists are the most committed, generous, hardworking people,â added Courtney Phillips-Shoda, Supervisor of Rehab Therapy Services at Renown Regional. âDespite being short-staffed, we come to work every single day and give everything to our patients. They are the priority.â If you take away one thing, know this for certain: Renownâs 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. âWhether you are a patient or a provider, if there is a problem, never hesitate to reach out to us,â said Nicole Leeton. âWe are always receptive to anyone seeking our help.â With the Acute Care Inpatient Therapy team on their side, a patientâs journey to recovery is only just beginning.
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Type 2 Diabetes: What You Should Know
Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, is on the rise for adults and children in the United States. Although genetics play a role, you can take steps today to lower your risk of developing this life-altering condition. Michael Raymund Gonzales, MD with Renown Endocrinology answered our questions about Type 2 diabetes and gave us some useful tips for prevention. What effect does diabetes have on the body? And whoâs most at risk? First, itâs important to know the difference between the two most common types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is the result of the bodyâs inability to make insulin, which is a hormone your body needs to be able to use sugar, or glucose, for energy. Type 1 is not preventable, and people who have it were either born with it or they developed it later in life due to an autoimmune process that attacked the pancreas that went unrecognized. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body makes the insulin hormone, but it might not make enough or work well enough for the body to use sugar for energy. This is called insulin resistance. This condition usually develops later in life but is preventable with proper diet, exercise and weight loss. However, due to the obesity epidemic, type 2 diabetes is occurring more often in younger individuals. Diabetes hurts the bodyâs ability to break down glucose, so rather than it being used for energy, glucose stays in the bloodstream, which can cause problems. But with early detection and the help of your doctor, diabetes can be managed so that complications are avoided. Left unmanaged, however, diabetes can affect major organs and lead to heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, skin conditions and more. Type 2 diabetes also results from risk factors that you canât control, including your family history, race and age. However, there are a few risk factors that you can watch out for, such as being overweight, inactivity, diet choices, having high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
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Dorm Safety and Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is probably the last thing on your mind as you help your child prepare for college. Buying books and stocking up on necessities may top your list, but itâs a good idea to ensure your student is up-to-date on their meningitis vaccine. How Bacterial Meningitis Spreads According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people living in close quarters are more likely to spread this illness to one another. For example, you may have heard about the higher risk of meningococcal (or bacterial) meningitis for new college students. The risk is so serious that many colleges and universities require proof of a vaccine for new students moving into campus housing. This includes the University of Nevada, Reno. To clarify, all incoming freshmen under 23 years of age must show proof of their up-to-date meningitis shot. âBacterial meningitis is considered a medical emergency, and anyone with the signs and symptoms should be evaluated in the emergency room immediately,â says Vanessa Slots, MD, Renown pediatrician. Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis Fever Nausea Vomiting Irritability Headache Confusion Back pain Stiff or painful neck Leg pain Light sensitivity Rash on the torso or lower extremities Itâs important to know many of these symptoms for both bacterial and viral meningitis are the same. However, the viral type is more common, often clearing up in seven to 10 days without complications. Nonetheless, you should go to the emergency room to be looked at, as the signs are similar for both illnesses. Why is Bacterial Meningitis Dangerous? This illness moves quickly, and in some cases, it can seem like the flu or severe strep throat and take a few days to develop. Or, it can hit in just hours. âBacterial meningitis has an overall death rate of 10 to 15 percent despite treatment with antibiotics,â Dr. Slots warns. Another critical point is problems after recovery can also be severe. Frequently these include brain damage, amputations, infections around the heart, seizures and shock.
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Five Reasons to Switch to Renownâs Modern-Day Pharmacy
Renown Health has two retail pharmacy locations â one at Renown Regional on Pringle Way and another on Locust Street. And while many people think of a pharmacy as where we get prescriptions and pick up refills, itâs so much more. Adam Porath, vice president of pharmacy services at Renown, discusses five benefits of switching to a Renown Pharmacy. 1. Hospital Integration With the Meds-to-Beds Program, the Renown Health Pharmacy delivers prescriptions to patients on the floor when they leave the hospital. Another thing that is interesting about the pharmacy is its integration with providers. So, if there is a problem with your prescription, the Renown Pharmacy can get hold of your provider right away. We also can see your lab results and make sure that the dose you are prescribed is the right one. 2. On-Site Vaccinations The Renown Health Pharmacy has a private consultation area to administer vaccines on-site. Their team routinely stocks more than a dozen vaccines, and you can call either location (Regional: 775-982-7737 and Locust Street: 775-982-5280) to see if what you're looking for is in stock. Appointments are available in MyChart. 3. Compounding Services Only a fraction of pharmacies in the United States provides compounding services. In the Reno/Sparks area, there are just a few and Renown Pharmacy is one of them. Traditional retail pharmacies take drugs received from a drug manufacturer and put them into a smaller container in the individual amount that the doctor prescribed for a patient. A compounding pharmacy provides medications that are not available commercially. For example, a doctor has prescribed a dose that is smaller than what is commercially available. Compounding the medication will provide the dosage as prescribed. Another example could be a child who canât take a tablet. The pharmacy may be able to use compounding to convert medications into something that is the child can take.
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5 Ways to Prevent Diabetes
November is National Diabetes Month, and with cases of the disease at an all-time high in the U.S., individuals must do everything they can to stay healthy. Learn more about diabetes prevention and also how to stop prediabetes in its tracks with these five helpful tips. Diabetes is a disease that is increasingly making its way into the public consciousness, and not in a good way. In fact, according to USA Today, diabetes has a greater health impact on Americans than heart disease, substance use disorder or COPD, with 30.3 million Americans diagnosed with the illness â and many more who are at risk for developing it. And those with prediabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in 10 years or less, according to the Mayo Clinic. The American Medical Association notes that 4 million U.S. adults have prediabetes. Check out the American Diabetes Associationâs prediabetes risk test. The good news: There are ways to manage â and even reverse â prediabetes. Renownâs Certified Diabetes Educator Stephen Compston, RD, LD, CDE, shares five steps for managing blood sugar and also avoiding an eventual diagnosis. How to Prevent Diabetes Eat healthy foods. Plan meals that limit (not eliminate) foods that contain carbohydrates, which raise your blood sugar. Carbohydrates include starches, fruits, milk, yogurt, starchy vegetables (corn, peas, potatoes) and sweets. âSubstitute more non-starchy vegetables into your meals to stay satisfied for fewer carbohydrates and calories,â Compston says. Exercise. Blood sugar is the bodyâs basic energy source. When you exercise, you are lowering your blood sugar. âPeople with prediabetes usually want to stay off of medication, so they must add something to their normal regimen that lowers blood sugar,â Compston says. âIn this case, exercise is medicine.â Lose weight. A small decrease in your weight can drastically decrease your risk of developing diabetes in the future. The Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that a 7 percent decrease in body weight (14 pounds for a 200 pound person) can reduce a personâs risk of developing the disease by 58 percent. Get more rest. Studies link sleep issues to an increased risk of insulin resistance. It can also make it harder to lose weight. Thus, people that donât get adequate sleep are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. See your doctor regularly. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider at least once a year so you can track your health together. âA regular check-up and lab work can help identify what your blood sugars are doing so you and your doctor can develop a good plan for delaying the onset of diabetes,â Compston says.
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Healthy Aging 5 Tips to Improve Happiness and Quality of Life
There are a few simple ways to encourage healthy aging that can translate to an improved quality of life. Here are some expert tips. What does healthy aging mean to you? If youâre like most people, youâre looking forward to removing the negative from your life â negative energy, thoughts, people and activities that donât contribute to your best life. And while thatâs a noble goal, too often we forget about ways to strengthen the positive parts of our lives. Expert Herbert âBuddyâ Coard III, Ed.D, psychologist with Renown Behavioral Health, provides us with five positive behaviors to focus on to improve happiness and life satisfaction. Healthy Aging in 5 Easy Steps: 1. Connect â Make connections with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. When you build strong connections, they can help enrich your life with new experiences and opportunities. Besides, having a support system to call upon when you need a favor is valuable as you age. 2. Be Active â Make time to get moving and work those muscles. Being active can include walking, practicing yoga, playing a game of pickleball or dancing. Exercise makes you feel good and keeps you health. Pick a physical activity that you enjoy, and donât make excuses. Not only will being active help you build stronger muscles, it also helps you build strong connections with others. If you need a workout buddy, Meetup is a great resource to find like-minded people that share common exercise goals. 3. Take Notice â Be mindful and become more curious. Like a child, see the wonder and beauty of the world. Notice the things around you â the weather, the landscape, the mood and feelings of the people around you. By taking notice, itâs easier to learn to appreciate the things that matter. 4. Keep Learning â We never stop learning. Keep trying something new â a new course youâve always wanted to try or a more challenging task someone has solicited for your help. Challenges keep us on our toes and increase our confidence and excitement in our day. OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno), brings diverse educational and social opportunities to active older adult learners (50+). EPIC (Educational Programs Inspiring the Community), offers a divers curriculum ranging from art classes to Accelerated training certificate courses. 5. Give â Be generous with your time, your knowledge and your talents by giving to friends, family and even strangers. Some easy ways to give is to show thankfulness, smile at people and volunteer. Sharing of yourself to a wider audience gives you a greater reward than just doing things for yourself. Nevada Volunteers Volunteer at Renown Health Practice these five tips to improve happiness and quality of life at any age.
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Pharmacists Answer Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines that provide protection against the COVID-19 virus are bringing us closer to the end of this deadly pandemic. Two different COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in the U.S. today: one from Pfizer and the other from Moderna. Kate Ward, PharmD, BCPS, Director of Clinical Pharmacy at Renown Health and Adam Porath, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy at Renown, share what you need to know about these vaccines. When two COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020, it was cause for celebration. Why? Because according to the CDC, the vaccines are 94 percent or more effective in providing protection against the COVID-19 virus! Many people are seeking information about the new Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Below, our pharmacy leaders provide answers to some commonly asked questions. How do the COVID-19 Vaccines Work? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that help your immune system develop antibodies against the COVID-19 virus. The vaccines use messenger RNA, or mRNA, to show our bodiesâ protein-making cells how to make the spike proteins of the COVID-19 virus. Our immune system reacts to these spike proteins by creating antibodies that can recognize and destroy them. So when a person is exposed to the virus in the future, they will be less likely to get sick. What are the Differences between the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines? The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are very similar, with just a few small differences worth noting. The main difference between the two vaccines is when you should receive your follow-up dose. Patients who receive a first dose of Pfizer should receive their second dose about three weeks later. Those who receive a first dose of Moderna should receive their follow-up vaccination roughly four weeks after their first dose. People 18 years and older can receive the Moderna vaccine while people 16 years and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Dosage for the Moderna vaccine is 0.5 ml (100 mcg). Dosage for the Pfizer vaccine is 0.3 ml (30 mcg).
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Generic Drugs â What You Need to Know About Them
Without a doubt, taking medications can not only be expensive, but also confusing. In the United States, generic prescriptions are widely used, with 9 out of 10 people choosing them over a name brand. Pharmacists are a great resource to help us understand the benefits and side effects of any medication. We asked Adam Porath, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy at Renown Health, to answer some common questions about generic drugs. What is a generic drug? A generic drug has the same active ingredients of brand-name drugs. Brand-name drugs have a patent (special license) protecting them from competition to help the drug company recover research and development costs. When the patent expires other manufacturers are able to seek approval for a generic drug. However, the color, shape and inactive elements may be different. Per the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), a generic medicine works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefit as its brand-name version. Why do they cost less? Generic drug makers do not have the expense of costly development, research, animal and human clinical trials, marketing and advertising. This savings is passed on to the public. Also after a patent expires, several companies will compete on a generic version of a drug, further driving down prices.
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