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Department Spotlight: Surgery & Procedure Scheduling
When it comes to intimidating procedures such as surgery, cardiac catheterization (Cath) or interventional radiology (IR), there can be a lot of unknowns. What can I expect on the big day? What will happen after Iâm all done? Will I have to worry about my orders not being in the system? Who can I call if I have any last-minute questions? Itâs easy for your thoughts to race as you approach your procedure date, but luckily, there is a team who puts your mind at ease. With Renown Healthâs Surgery & Procedure Scheduling department, patients can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that all the nitty-gritty is taken care of before they step foot in the procedure room. This team operates in the mindset of a complex Tetris board â fitting in all the pieces to make sure every patient is set on the path for surgery success. Consistent Contact Our Surgery & Procedure Scheduling team has a unique history. Initially operating as two separate teams, over the last year, our leaders skillfully combined the two teams together under one umbrella. That allows the now singular team to have line of sight across every surgery and Cath or IR procedure plan and be better stewards of the resources they have at their fingertips to provide streamlined, more-connected care for patients. As one might imagine, with the merger of the two teams, the day-in-the-life of each team member is full of a variety of crucial checklist items to cross off â all supporting constant communication from patients to providers. On the surgery scheduling front, these team members are resource rockstars. From working with referring providers to get patients scheduled appropriately to ensuring rooms and equipment are available for every patient, this team makes sure everything and everyone is in place when the time comes to help create a successful procedure and the best possible patient experience.  âIn surgery scheduling, we handle inbound calls for the outside offices to get time scheduled for each patient in the operating room (OR),â said Lydia Sharkey, Senior Scheduler. âWe make sure there are plenty of anesthesia resources and equipment for every surgery, including any important information that we need to schedule patients appropriately and adding all documents to the OR board. If we need to swap rooms or move patients around, we handle that process too.â Over on the IR/Cath scheduling side of things, this team is on the frontlines of patient communication. They are experts in helping patients navigate their procedure from start (seeing their provider and obtaining the proper referrals) to finish (the day of the procedure and post-procedure process). âMy day is a little different than the hospital schedulers; our part of the team handles the outpatient aspect,â said Adrienne White, Senior Scheduler. âWe are in constant contact with patients and the IR and Cath departments. We help them navigate their procedure, including what to expect during and after the procedure. We get them through the process as easily as possible and ease their minds, so they know what is going to happen every step of the way. Itâs all about communication, communication, communication!â This department has a significant overarching role: make sure all documents and ancillary information is set up for all our clinical teams that help with surgeries and procedures. This critical work means that every process is followed, and no important details are left out. âNo one wakes up and says, âI want to have surgery;â our team goes above and beyond to make sure every single detail is taken care of so that when patients arrive, everything is in place,â said Trisha White. âOur team works hard to ensure everything runs as efficiently as possible because we want to use our resources in the best way possible to serve our patients without delays. We make sure we receive all the orders, codes and insurance and that the teams that follow after us â including our pre-admit team and nurses â have all the information they need to do their job seamlessly." With all the work they accomplish daily â not to mention how they wholeheartedly support each other through it all â itâs no question that the entire team has a lot to be proud of. Besides helping make patient care possible, the team puts their departmental merger and the move to fully remote work at the top of the list. âWeâre most proud of merging the surgery scheduling and procedure scheduling teams together and therefore more cohesive,â said Mary Gray, Senior Scheduler. âThe merger has made our team blossom and be able to connect with and rely on one another even more. We arenât afraid to speak up and say something. At the end of the day, weâre here to take care of the patient, but we also help each other out. Our morale has gone up, and everybody is happier. Even though we all work remotely, we are more connected and have a great work-life balance.â âAlong with transitioning the two teams into one big team, the move to being fully remote was huge," added Patricia Cruz-Hernandez, Surgical RN Scheduling Coordinator. âWe worked through all the glitches, and it was a seamless transition to move into a remote setting. Whatâs great is that it did not affect patients at all; everything still gets done exactly as it should.â No matter how busy the days may get, Renownâs surgery and procedure schedulers always remember one thing: they are incredibly grateful for their fellow team members. âWe have a very efficient and hard-working team of women,â said Pam Chapa Valencia, Senior Scheduler. âI could not have handpicked better people for our team,â added Trisha White. âI feel so lucky to have the team that we have.â A Renown âWhyâ Our Surgery and Procedure Scheduling team members all have diverse stories to tell about their road to Renown and why theyâve stayed in the department for as long as they have. Whether theyâve been with us for two years or two decades, they all share the same strong calling to care for their community. âI always wanted to help people, and my grandma was a nurse,â said Pam Chapa Valencia, Senior Scheduler. âI loved hearing her stories, and it made me want to be involved in patient care.â âI have a caring nature, and a hospital nature seemed like the right fit â I've been here for 25 years,â added Mary Gray. Several of our schedulers recognized the influence Renown has within our community and the ability to grow professionally and personally, both of which were a driving factor in their decision to make our health system their long-term career. âIâm originally from southern California, and I moved here about eight years ago; my husband always talked so positively about Renown, especially with how big it is and how it has the only level II trauma center in northern Nevada, so my goal was always to get a job here,â said Lydia Sharkey. âItâs been a great environment to be a part of.â âIâve been with Renown for 17 years, and I chose to come here because of the reputation of the services Renown provided and care they gave,â added Trisha White. âI also knew what opportunities there were for me professionally, and in doing so, we are taking care of our community. Iâve had the chance to grow within my own professional skills and leadership skillset.â A profound feeling of âhomeâ is a common theme among this department. These team members appreciate the sense of community Renown has, the strides weâve made in expanding our reach and how our health system gives healthcare professionals who are new to the field a chance to succeed. âAt the time, Renown was the only hospital that would train nurses, and as a brand-new nurse, I had no experience â Renown took a chance on me,â said Patricia Cruz-Hernandez. âI feel like this is home. Our health system is so community-based and people-first minded, keeping âmission over margin.â Weâre growing, weâre expanding, weâre everywhere!â âI was a part of a transition as the cardiology private practice I worked with became a Renown practice, and it was great,â added Adrienne White. âThis transition enabled us to provide more services and better care to patients. I stay here because I see the leaps and bounds weâve been able to make in terms of procedures, accessibility and patient experience.â As true advocates for both patients and each other, the team is proud to have found their niche â and the ultimate beneficiaries? Everyone undergoing a surgery or procedure at Renown. A Culture of Kindness and Gratitude When you meet the Surgery & Procedure Scheduling team, you are greeted with warm smiles and an enthusiastic âNice to meet you!â You canât help but smile back and feel the infectious kindness they exude. Renown operates with a People-First mindset, a vision that this department especially takes to heart. They emulate the exact definition of our âCollaborationâ cultural commitment. âWeâve built very good relationships and rapport with the OR managers and board runners,â said Lydia Sharkey. âThe communication that we have at all three locations is very solid.â âThe OR leadership is always so willing to help out whenever they can, and the resources theyâve provided have been huge for us,â added Adrienne White. âAll the teams that see the patients after us â especially the surgical pre-admit team and the case managers, are fantastic about collaborating with us and reaching out to solve any issues they may have,â added Trisha White. âWe all work so well together, especially since we all impact patient care.â In any organization, strong and compassionate leadership is key to a thriving team. Luckily for our surgery and procedure schedulers, they have Trisha White on their side. They attribute a lot of their success to having a supportive leader who âgets it.â âTrisha has been a scheduler like us, so she completely understands when weâre having an issue, because sheâs struggled with the same thing and knows where we are coming from,â said Mary Gray. âIt makes us feel like we are not alone â I can always reach out to her, or any of my other coworkers, to ask questions and figure out a solution together.â Despite being a remote-only team that meets in-person only one or two times a month, this group never misses an opportunity to reconnect both online and offline. They frequently shout out their Culture Ambassadors, schedulers Pam Chapa Valencia and Roxanne Abundis, for their teamâs high morale. âEven though we all primarily work remotely, our in-person days are some of my favorite days of the month,â said Trisha White. âWe feel so uplifted, we laugh and we have fun. We love being with each other. Pam and Roxanne are our Culture Ambassadors, and they both have been amazing at planning fun things for our teams. They go above and beyond to make our team feel cohesive and included.â âPam and Roxanne have been leaders in creating a fun environment and supportive culture for us,â added Lydia Sharkey. âWhether itâs creating care packages or making sure we all have a good time when we see each other in person, they deserve a lot of credit.â As this team excels in their roles and foster a culture rooted in kindness and gratitude, we can trust that Renownâs surgeries and procedures will continue to thrive, and patients will continue to benefit from their diligent efforts and commitment to efficiency. âWe make the magic happen!â closes Mary Gray.
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What You Need To Know About Cold Water Drowning
Northern Nevada's stunning lakes, including Lake Tahoe, with its average summer water temperature of 50 degrees, present a potential risk of hypothermia. Unlike mild 50-degree air, water at the same temperature poses severe, life-threatening risks, including rapid-onset hypothermia and drowning. Awareness of the symptoms and taking proper precautions are crucial to prevent cold-water drowning. The 4 Phases of Cold-Water Drowning 1. Cold Shock Response: This response affects breathing and happens within the first minute. An automatic gasp reflex occurs in response to rapid skin cooling. If the head goes below water, water may be breathed into the lungs, resulting in drowning. A life jacket will help keep your head above water during this critical phase. Additionally, hyperventilation, like the gasp reflex, is a response to the cold and will subside. Panic will make this worse, so the key is to control breathing. 2. Cold Incapacitation: This response occurs within the first five to 15 minutes in cold water. In order to preserve core heat, vasoconstriction takes place decreasing blood flow to the extremities to protect the vital organs. The result is a loss of movement to hands, feet, arms and legs. Unless a life jacket is being worn, the ability to stay afloat is next to impossible. 3. Hypothermia: Important to note, it can take 30 minutes or more for most adults to become hypothermic. So thereâs time to take action and survive. Keeping panic at bay is critical, as you have more survival time than you think. Symptoms include: Shivering Slow and shallow breathing Confusion Drowsiness or exhaustion Slurred speech Loss of coordination Weak pulse 4. Circum-rescue Collapse: This experience can happen just before rescue and is not well understood. Symptoms range anywhere from fainting to death. Some experts believe an abrupt drop in blood pressure may cause this final stage of cold water drowning, post-rescue. Additional Safety Tips and Helpful Resources Always wear a personal flotation device as well as a wetsuit or drysuit. Your personal flotation device is the most important piece of water safety gear. Try not to panic as the first phases will subside. Controlled breathing is to staying calm. Research suggests the body can withstand the cold longer than we think. The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) is a position which helps conserve energy if youâre wearing a personal flotation device. By hugging your knees to your chest, this posture helps maintain body heat for some time.
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What is Dry Drowning?
Whether you're a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or sibling, it's vital to recognize that drowning is the second leading cause of death among children," states Dr. Leland Sullivan, of Northern Nevada Emergency Physicians. "While we diligently work to protect children from water-related accidents, there's a lesser-known threat that often goes unnoticedâdry drowning, also known as delayed drowning. Surprisingly, many people remain unaware of its existence and potential dangers. Dry drowning defined Dry drowning is a side-effect of a near-drowning experience and includes spasms of the vocal cords and larynx â known as a laryngospasm. This occurs when the body attempts to shut down the passage of any liquid into the lungs. Unfortunately, it can also shut down the passage of air into the lungs and force fluid into the stomach and lungs. Often the condition is not discovered until it's too late â severe cases can cause death within one to 24 hours after a water incident occurs. Who is susceptible? Novice or first-time swimmers are at increased risk, as are children with asthma and known breathing issues. In addition, children who have had pneumonia or experienced acute respiratory distress syndrome are also at greater risk. To reduce these factors, caregivers should be exceptionally watchful of inexperienced swimmers. According to Dr. Sullivan, children under the age of 5 are most susceptible to drowning and often drown in residential swimming pools. Infants less than 1-year-old most often drown in bathtubs. What are the signs of a dry drowning episode? If your child has a near-drowning incident, a few moments of coughing until they calm down is normal. However, you should know the more severe signs and symptoms to watch for during the 24 hours following the incident, including: Persistent coughing Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath Chest pains Extreme fatigue and/or lethargy Change in typical behavior Face becomes pale  What is the treatment and prognosis for dry drowning? Dr. Sullivan recommends that all victims of near-drowning incidents seek medical attention, even if they have no symptoms. If caught early, dry drowning can be treated. If you think your child is experiencing a dry drowning episode, go to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible â do not attempt treatment at home. Healthcare professionals will work to supply oxygen to your child's lungs to restore and regulate breathing.
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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: Customer Engagement Center
Do it for the patient. Thatâs the motto that each employee in the Customer Engagement Center (CEC) lives by every single day. This team spins all the existing stereotypical thoughts about call centers on their side by empowering and partnering with patients to achieve their best health. Being transferred around several times just isnât in this teamâs DNA â being a one-stop-shop for patient scheduling, referrals, insurance matters and more is how they proudly operate. Through elevating the customer engagement experience, the CEC closes care gaps to ensure patients get the right care at the right time. From employees who work from our home base in Reno, all the way to the southeastern corner of Florida, this primarily remote team stays firmly connected and collaborative to make patient care possible for all Renown Health patients and Hometown Health and Senior Care Plus members. The âMake It Happenâ Department Back-to-back phone calls about a wide variety of patient needs? They make it happen. Referrals that need to go directly to the provider? They make it happen. Complex insurance questions that need to be resolved? They make it happen. The CEC is the keeper of all things customer service and all things patient satisfaction, leveraging technology to improve engagement and accessibility â and they wear that badge with pride. âPatient care is our first priority,â said Cindy Arevalo, Supervisor of Customer Engagement. âEven though we arenât face-to-face with them, we are always there to help them over the phone with whatever their needs are.â The CEC has a lot of different sub-departments under its umbrella: scheduling, referrals, insurance, patient outreach, personal assistants, MyChart customer service and more. Each team handles calls for a different section of our health system, including the hospitals, imaging, primary care and specialty care. While their individual teams may be different, one aspect of their jobs remains the same: they care. Deeply. âWe advocate for the patient, especially when they canât advocate for themselves,â said Amanda Ishii, Referral Specialist. âWe are the first people that patients speak to, and we all have empathy to listen to them, help them solve their problems and take as much time as they need to care for their needs,â added Susana Arroyo Garcia, Supervisor of Customer Engagement. Customer loyalty is key to the CEC. Every CEC team member builds strong relationships with patients and members. Whether they manage patient outreach or manage back-to-back inbound calls, each employee feels a special connection to the helpful work they do to solve a variety of patient concerns. âAs Senior Care Plus Personal Assistants, for instance, we help guide our members through complex situations, and we eliminate the process of transferring them to different departments, becoming a âone-stop-shop' for them,â said Stephanie Perez Campbell, Senior Care Plus (SCP) Health Coordinator. âWhile every day is different, we are constantly learning new things and helping members navigate through the health system." With the 4.5 million calls the CEC handles per year, the nature of their jobs is undoubtedly fast paced. However, this does not intimidate the CEC team members; instead, it inspires them to continue reaching new milestones, helping thousands of patients and members every year by handling all the scheduling and referral work on the backend so that they can receive the care needed. âI never find myself sitting around asking, âwhat should I do next,ââ said Gina Briles, Supervisor of Customer Engagement. âWe always support each other to stay on top of it all in order to take care of our patients.â By wearing a lot of hats and managing many different work queues all while staying engaged with each patient, the CEC is full of natural problem-solvers, helping our healthcare network run smoothly. âThe Engagement Center is the front door for the community; serving as the voice of the customer, we ensure patients do not fall through the cracks of the complex healthcare system and are able to easily access the right care at the right time through an exceptional experience,â said Candace Dietrich, Director of Customer Engagement.  Consistently Connected With thousands of referrals to process and millions of calls to field, the ways the CEC stays connected to patients and members as well as each other can be related closely to magic. No concern goes unnoticed, and no problem is too complicated. âThe sheer volume of patients we engage with is incredible,â said Rene Jacinto, Manager of Customer Engagement. âWe processed nearly 200,000 referrals and authorizations last year.â âWe expect a steady increase of calls year-over-year. My team processed 1,259 referrals in one day alone recently,â added Arielle Gomes, Referral Specialist. A superpower that every CEC team member holds is the ability to listen. According to this department, active listening is key when problem-solving with every patient and member, as that skill helps them anticipate patient needs and resolve their issues quickly and efficiently. âIâll always listen,â said Alex Gomez, Customer Engagement Representative. âI want them to know that they are in good hands, especially when they are feeling scared or frustrated.â Team members like Alex help carefully guide customers through the Hometown Health and Senior Care Plus enrollment process, increasing membership and engaging patients to find the perfect plan for them. One of the largest challenges the CEC faces is the departures and arrivals of providers. The ebbs and flows of all hospital systems include provider departures and shifting provider availabilities. Despite this challenge, the CEC staff work hard to ensure communication with all patients regarding provider changes is consistent and that all patients are scheduled in a slot that works for both their schedule and the providerâs schedule. âItâs important for us to be flexible, because things can change at a momentâs notice,â said Gina Briles. âThis is more than just a job â we are here for our patients. What we are doing impacts everyone.â Throughout all times of transition, the CEC builds robust relationships with both patients and providers within our organization and community, a skill that this team emphasizes as âfundamentally important.â For example, SCP Personal Assistants like Stephanie Perez Campbell will coordinate care with community resources and offices, giving members one less call to make and one less hurdle to cross in order to get the care they need. On top of it all, even though this team has the ability to work from all 50 states (and many of them work outside of Nevada!), every employee feels connected to their colleagues and their work. âThis is the best group of people Iâve ever worked with,â said Riley Petro, Manager of Customer Engagement â Imaging. âI am super lucky for this job and am so thankful for these people.â Proud and Powerful The proof is in the pudding â or rather, the proof is in the numbers. Within the 4.5 million calls they successfully field every year, approximately 1.6 million of those calls route through the private branch exchange (PBX) team â the team that oversees the main operator lines â under the guidance of Jess Nater, Supervisor of Customer Engagement. The CEC is also on track to handle nearly 300,000 referrals this year alone. Additionally, the Hometown Health CEC team was recognized nationally this year with a five-star rating from Medicare. âWe all have the initiative to grow, and because of this, we are always learning something new,â said Cindy Arevalo. âOur leaders also support our growth, especially if we want to skill-build or advance in our careers.â The CEC is frequently the first stop on the career ladder for many employees as they start their journey in healthcare, and CEC leadership is committed to the growth and development of their teams to reach their career goals at Renown. The secret formula for all this success can be in part attributed to the pride each CEC employee has for their team, their work and Renown. âWe have a very supportive team,â said Holly Coffey, Supervisor of Customer Engagement. âIâve seen our leaders support their teams tremendously.â âWe rely on each other,â added Ashleigh Carty, Customer Engagement Representative. "I love the relationships we create with one another.â Employees in the CEC come from many walks of life, choosing to work at Renown and Hometown Health for a variety of different reasons, many related to the positive power our health system holds. Team members in this department hold a myriad of different career backgrounds, including pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, population health professionals, community health workers and more. Some team members, like Nikki Clifford, Customer Engagement Representative Lead, heard wonderful things about Renown from her mother, who also works for Renown. According to Nikki, âseeing how happy my mom has been in her career made me want to join too. Iâve loved it here ever since.â  Katie Lunau, Supervisor of Customer Engagement, also grew up in a family involved in healthcare, and she wanted to follow in their footsteps. Choosing Renown as the place to follow her family path was a simple one, because âRenown stood out as the company that was actively involved in the community helping others.â For other team members, like Susana Arroyo Garcia, Ashleigh Carty and Stephanie Perez Campbell, Renown and Hometown Healthâs impact on the local healthcare landscape was their primary driver for choosing a career here and in the CEC specifically. âRenown is very well-known in the area,â said Stephanie Perez Campbell. âI went to school in Reno for public health, so Renown came up all the time in my schooling. I knew Renown had a lot of different opportunities available for career growth, and with the friendly environment I always experienced here, it was an easy decision.â âOnce I went through the interview process and joined the team, I immediately realized that there are outstanding managers, support systems and communication skills here. People genuinely care,â added Ashleigh Carty. Ashleigh is exactly right. As emphasized by every team member, employees in the CEC care. Their heightened levels of care and empathy set the bar high for all at Renown and Hometown Health, and their impact will be felt for years to come.
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Meet Gabby, Renown Regional ER Nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada
Renown Health is proud to embrace the Reno-Sparks culture that makes our community stand out, which is why we sponsor the Reno Rodeo, an early summer staple with roots in the community as deep as our own. One of our many ties with the Reno Rodeo includes Renown Regionalâs own emergency room nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada 2022, Gabby Szachara. A Reno native, Gabby developed a love for the Reno Rodeo at a very young age. âI loved watching the girls on the Reno Rodeo Flag Team when I was little and knew I wanted to be part of the Reno Rodeo someday,â said Gabby. âAs I got older, I started to make connections and build relationships with some people in the rodeo scene, and they generously lent me their horses so I could participate in the Reno Rodeo Flag Team.â Gabby was on the flag team for three years before being crowned Miss Rodeo Nevada 2022 last year. Before joining the Reno Rodeo Flag Team, Gabby was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a member of the womenâs volleyball team. In December 2017, she graduated with a bachelorâs degree in public health. At first, Gabby was interested in a career in sports medicine â it made sense with her background in athletics. But, after working in the medical field as a certified nurse assistant and an emergency medical technician, she grew passionate about patient care and decided she wanted to become a nurse. âIâve always loved teamwork and helping others,â said Gabby. âItâs important to me to be there for others, especially when it might be their worst day.â In December 2021, Gabby graduated from Truckee Meadows Community College with a nursing degree and joined Renown Health this February. âI love Renown for various reasons. Everyone here is so nice and welcoming, and there is a great team dynamic,â said Gabby. âAnd I love that Renownâs main color is purple because that is my favorite!â When Gabby isnât in her scrubs and caring for patients, she is in western wear and carrying out her duties as Miss Rodeo Nevada. âI do a lot of traveling across the country to attend other rodeos,â said Gabby. âI enjoy meeting so many wonderful people and experiencing the culture of different states.â Gabbyâs main goals as Miss Rodeo Nevada are to promote the western way of life, agriculture, rodeo and community benefit. In addition, she visits local schools to talk with kids about how they can get involved in these areas and inspires them to turn their dreams into reality. Gabby has a special place in her heart for the Reno Rodeo. âReno is my home, and the Reno Rodeo is the heart and soul of summer in northern Nevada. Everyone comes together and dusts off their boots to have fun and also contribute money to important causes in our community,â said Gabby. âI love the comradery, the friendly and healthy competition and the great people.â If youâre going to the Reno Rodeo this weekend, watch for Gabby and her horse, âTorque.â And if you see Gabby in the halls at Renown Regional, give her a high-five for all her hard work as a nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada!
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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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Paolaâs Story: Bringing Hope and Determination to Patient Care
You may recognize her from billboards around town or the cover of Renown's latest annual report, but what you might not know is the story behind the now-familiar face. Paola Espinoza-Patino is the oncology unit's associate nurse manager at Renown Regional, and she grounds her work in hope and determination daily. Meet Paola:
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3 Healthcare Musts for Millennials
Many millennials are fortunate to have good health, but itâs important to be prepared for your next doctorâs visit. Here are three things that millennials should stay on top of for tracking and maintaining their health. For many millennials, doctor visits and preventive healthcare fall by the wayside. Alison Lynch, MD, a family medicine provider with Renown Medical Group says there are a few key things you can do now to set yourself up for a healthy future. 1. Establish with a Primary Care Provider Millennials are more likely to go to urgent care or consult the internet when a healthcare issue arises. While these are helpful tools, hereâs a better one: a primary care provider. The benefit of establishing with a primary care provider is that your medical records, history and a baseline for your health will be documented. That means that when a problem or question comes up, your doctor will already have helpful information on file and can help you navigate your needs. Having a primary care provider is often required for prescription refills and referrals to a specialist. By establishing now, youâll be able to get what you need in the future much faster. Make an Appointment Today 2. Protect Yourself and Your Community There are a few vaccinations and screenings that Dr. Lynch recommends for millennials. Flu Shots: These are available every year and are recommended for protecting not only yourself against the flu but also others you may come into contact with. Flu shots are usually available from August through December through your healthcare provider, pharmacies and pop-up events. Tetanus or Tdap: Most people receive a tetanus shot as a child, but itâs recommended that everyone get a booster every 10 years. If you are overdue, talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist about getting updated. Pap smear: If youâre a woman, a pap smear is recommended every three years in your 20s and every five years in your 30s. HPV vaccine: This vaccine helps prevent the virus that causes cervical cancer as well as the majority of head and neck cancers and warts. The HPV vaccine is recommended for all genders up until age 45. STD screening: Consider an STI/STD screening if youâre sexually active.
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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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Celebrating Renown Health's Nursing Excellence Conference
Renown Health recently wrapped up the twentieth annual Nursing Excellence and Excellence in Critical Care Conferences, the conference theme was the Courageous Calling and over 400 nurses from specialty fields across the region attended to learn, reflect, build relationships and obtain continuing education units (CEUs).  Celebrating The Courageous Calling During the first day of the Nursing Excellence Conference, local and national leaders presented topics including redefining resilience, documentation liability, transgender healthcare and caring for the homeless population. Among the list of impressive speakers were Chief Nurse Executive at Renown Health, Melodie Osborn, and Nora McInerny, writer and host of the "Terrible Thanks for Asking" podcast.  On day two,speakers focused on the critical care specialties within nursing, including intensive care, emergency room, pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care. Topics covered included post-COVID-19 pulmonology with Dr. Graham, traumatic brain injuries with Dr. Demers, COVID-19 reflections with Anicia Beckwith, a discussion about "Mis Câ with Dr. Healy, innovations in imaging with Dr. Rangaswamy and cardiology with Dr. Danaf. Thank you to our sponsors and raffle donors for making this event possible: Erik Olson and Larry Duncan, Jana Elliott, Melodie Osborn, Becky Haase, Lori Tuntland, Dr. Akbar, Dr. Lous, Mel Morris, Grand Sierra Resort, Renown Health Gift Shops, Renown Health Directors of Nursing, Renown Health Marketing & Communications Department, Renown Health Dermatology, Laser, & Skin Care and Renown Health Foundation.  Learn more about finding purpose in the health of our community when working at Renown Health here.
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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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