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Use Caution: Mixing Over-the-Counter Medications Can Be Harmful
With allergy seasonâs extended stay and cold and flu season having just begun, you may soon find yourself seeking relief through several different kinds of over-the-counter medications. Know what precautions you need to take when fighting multiple symptoms with multiple medications. When youâre too sick to go to work but not sick enough for a doctorâs visit, over-the-counter medicines are a welcome relief to help alleviate that fever, runny nose or allergies. But because those medicines arenât signed off on or managed by your doctor and pharmacist, itâs crucial that youâre especially mindful of what you put into your body. Whenever you pop a pill, you want to make sure youâre taking the right dosage, waiting the right amount of time before taking another dose and not mixing certain medicines together. Recent stories like this one detail dangerous over-the-counter medicine combinations, and weâre following suit: Here is a quick go-to guide about potentially harmful over-the-counter combinations. Too Much Tylenol/Acetaminophen Tylenol â or acetaminophen â is a popular pain reliever for many, but too much can be bad for your liver. âOur bodies have a finite ability to metabolize Tylenol,â says Andy Wright, clinical pharmacist at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. âWhen too much builds up in the liver, it becomes toxic. In patients with medical conditions like cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis, this could be disastrous.â Remember, acetaminophen is in more than just Tylenol and generic pain relievers. You may also see acetaminophen in flu, cold and cough medicines, like Nyquil, and some prescription medications including Norco and Percocet. Keep a list of the medications you take, and limit daily acetaminophen use to 3,000 mg per day. When youâre scanning medicine bottle contents, remember acetaminophen is also referred to as APAP, AC, acetam or paracetamol. Mixing Painkillers When youâre dealing with pain and not getting any relief, taking a different medication may seem like the easy solution. Maybe you take some Aleve â a form of naproxen â for a headache, but it isnât working, so you switch to Motrin, an over-the-counter form of ibuprofen. Not a smart idea. Ibuprofen and naproxen along with aspirin are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Because these medicines work in similar ways, they should never be combined or used in larger doses or more frequently than directed. Otherwise your risk of side effects can increase, which range from mild nausea to severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Itâs also important to consider your family history when taking NSAIDs because, ârecent studies have shown NSAIDs may have greater cardiovascular risks for people taking blood thinners or those with hypertension,â explains Andy. âA good example is ibuprofen: It has a relatively low gastrointestinal bleed risk while it has a moderate to high cardiovascular risk. The opposite is true for naproxen.â Rather than experimenting with multiple medicines, figure out which drug works best for you. You may find muscle soreness improves with aspirin, whereas when a headache hits, naproxen is best. Keep in mind that these medications arenât always best for everyone in the family. âAspirin in children and teens is not recommended unless under the supervision of a doctor,â Andy says. And pregnant and lactating women should generally avoid NSAIDS due to risk of birth defects and bleeding. âIn both of these cases, acetaminophen or Tylenol are preferred but only if approved by an OB/GYN.â Fighting Allergies Over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra have made fighting itchy eyes and runny noses a little easier. But these daily medicines â when taken inappropriately or in the wrong combinations â can also have an adverse effect. Similar to acetaminophen, you need to watch for antihistamines in other products. Sleep aids â like Tylenol PM and Unisom â commonly use an antihistamine known as diphenhydramine, which may increase your risk of overdose. âCombining antihistamines, or overdosing, can cause many adverse effects including dry mouth, blurred vision â even arrhythmias,â Andy says. âOnly take these medications on their own.â If youâre still struggling with symptoms, you can talk to your doctor about adding an over-the-counter nasal steroid. Andy confirms the importance of closely following the directions listed on antihistamine (and all medicine) bottles. He has seen extended release nasal decongestants cause significant arrhythmias requiring medical care after a patient took the medicine with warm fluids. âThe decongestant in question is designed to slowly release, but it can dissolve suddenly in the presence of warm liquids like coffee,â Andy explains. âThis can cause the pill to deliver 12 to 24 hours of medication all at once.â Taking an Antidiarrheal with Calcium Calcium supplements and antidiarrheal medicines are another harmful combination. Calcium firms up your stool, but if taken with an antidiarrheal, can cause severe constipation. If you need to take an antidiarrheal, take a break from your calcium for a few days until youâre back to normal. Another consideration when taking calcium supplements or calcium-based antacids is gas. âIâve had several patients report cases of excessive gas using Tums or calcium carbonate-based supplements.â Andy suggests instead âtrying Maalox or Mylanta for indigestion and Citracal as a supplement.â Talk with Your Doctor or Pharmacist About Your Medications If over-the-counter drugs arenât providing the relief you need, itâs time to see your doctor. And remember, for your safety it is important to keep your doctor and pharmacist up-to-date with any medications â prescribed or over-the-counter â that you are taking.
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Name-Brand Medication vs. Generic: What's the Difference?
Most prescriptions meds are available in generic form. Find out the similarities and differences between the two and how to determine whether a generic is right for you. Approximately 80 percent of prescriptions sold today are generics. If youâre taking a prescription medication, chances are itâs a generic form of the brand-name drug. But are you getting the same quality in a generic medication? Do generics measure up? The answer in most cases is yes â generics, just like branded products, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. âTo have a generic product approved by the FDA, the generic manufacturer must prove that its product is bioequivalent to the branded product,â explains Adam Porath, PharmD, BCPS AQ-Cardiology, BCACP and Vice President of Pharmacy Services. Basically, it has to function the same. âGeneric products are extremely well tolerated and will provide the same results as using a branded product,â Porath says. Hereâs how generics are the same as name-brand prescriptions: Generic products contain the same active ingredients. They produce the same desired clinical effect and accompanying side effects. Generics come in the same form as their branded counterparts: pill, liquid or inhaler, for example. Release into the bloodstream matches the name brand in timing and strength. Hereâs how they differ: Generics generally cost less. Federal law requires generics have different names and look different: shape, size, markings and color. Generics contain different inactive ingredients, like binders, fillers and artificial colors. Different side effects with generics can usually be attributed to these additions. Why do generics cost less? When pharmaceutical companies develop a new drug, they are paying for research, development, clinical studies, marketing â in some cases it can cost more than $800 million and take 10 to 15 years to develop a new drug. âThe manufacturers of branded medication products have to recoup their research and development costs,â Porath says. So companies are granted a limited patent to sell their drug without the competition of generic counterparts. âWhen patent exclusivity ends, the market is open for any generic manufacturer to make a competing product with FDA approval.â Without the same startup costs, companies can sell generics at 80 to 85 percent less. And because more than one company can produce the same generics, competition drives prices even lower.
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One Patients Story of Survival
Thanks in part to the care provided by Renownâs award-winning team of ICU nurses, Tony Mowatt is alive, thriving and engaged. Read his story â and learn about the exclusive Beacon Award of Excellence â below. The open road. The growl of the engine. The feeling of freedom. Thatâs what Oakland resident Tony Mowatt was enjoying as he drove up Highway 88 toward Reno for the semi-annual Street Vibrations event. But he wasnât expecting to hit the diesel truck â or to fly off of his bike over 100 yards, skidding onto the side of the road. He was severely injured and in the midst of rural Nevada. He had crashed just outside Centerville, Nev., and was miles away from any critical care hospital. Having the only trauma center equipped to treat his serious injuries, Tony was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).  ICU Nurses Treat Patient, Support Family Tonyâs girlfriend, Tasha Klubock, was notified by his friend that he had been taken to the hospital. She immediately drove from Oakland to Reno to see Tony at Renown. Her first night there was overwhelming and scary â nobody knew if Tony was going to survive. But the nurses helped Tasha cope with the initial shock. Caring for the patient isnât their only job â they also care for the family. âThey [the nurses] just kept coming in and checking on me,â she said. âAngela was so amazing that first night. I really just bonded to her, and I remember when the shift switched, I panicked thinking about who was coming on and wanting to meet the next nurse ⌠But they all came to talk to me â I had updates from everybody. It was just amazing.â ICU Nurses Became Family Tony spent 32 days in Renownâs Sierra ICU, surviving a serious head injury, all with Tasha by his side. He and Tasha still stay in touch with Renown nurses. âEven though this was literally one of the most hideous, craziest things to go through,â Tasha said. âThere was so much hope and they became such a family to me and I still think of that time fondly because of the nurses.â âIâm alive because they wanted me to be,â Tony said. And Tony and Tasha are now happily engaged and planning their wedding. Exceptional Care: Renown ICU Nurses Win Awards Renownâs ICU nurses provide care like this every day to countless patients â itâs so second nature to them that they forget how exceptional it truly is. But itâs certainly care like Tonyâs that has earned them national recognition. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses awarded the Beacon Award of Excellence to the Sierra, Cardiac and Roseview ICUs. These are the only ICUs in Nevada to obtain this honor. The Beacon Award recognizes critical care nursing teams who exemplify excellence in areas like leadership, process systems, quality care, knowledge, learning and development, excellence in patient care and superior patient health outcomes. âI couldnât have been more proud of what weâve done to accomplish this,â said Nick Dovedot, Cardiac ICU nurse. âIt represents who we are. Just a great group of individuals who all work together as a team to make our patients get better.â
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Local Organization Receive $250K Build Health Challenge Award
Award given to Truckee Meadows Health Communities, Renown Health & Washoe County Health District. Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities (TMHC), Renown Health and the Washoe County Health District received the BUILD Health ChallengeÂŽ award, a $250,000 grant to support Caring For Renoâs Elders (C.A.R.E.) program. The award comes as a collaborative result of more than 30 local organizations submitting a proposal for the funding. Renown Health announced that the organization is matching the grant alongside other pledged funding from the community, bringing the current C.A.R.E. support to $580,000. Together the entities will focus on senior loneliness and the health issues it creates. The partners are honored that Truckee Meadows was selected as one of 18 communities to receive funding from BUILD in the 2019-2021 term. âC.A.R.E will be a community approach to enhance life quality for elders by reducing social isolation and loneliness, issues that seriously impact senior health,â said co-team leader Kindle Craig, Sr. Director Renown Institutes. âLoneliness is the root cause of many issues including suicide1 , chronic disease2 and a reduction in lifespan3 . Washoe County senior suicide rates are two and four times the national rate for those aged 65 and 85 years, respectively4 . That is unacceptable.â Sharon Zadra, TMHC executive director and co-team leader, said this project will tackle barriers to socialization such as access to affordable housing, transportation and healthcare. âWeâll bring the entire community on-board, long-term, to increase social connectedness and reduce health and mortality issues associated with loneliness by starting a cross generational âKindness Epidemic,ââ Zadra said. The BUILD Health Challenge is a national program focused on bold, upstream, integrated, local and data driven projects that can improve community health. The award provides funding, capacity building support and access to a national peer-learning network to enhance collaborative partnerships locally to address our communityâs most pressing health challenges. The C.A.R.E team expresses special thanks to the BUILD Health Challenge for its support of this initiative. âLoneliness and isolation in our senior population leads to declines in both mental and physical health, and increased mortality,â said Kevin Dick, Washoe County District Health Officer. âWe are incredibly honored to join the BUILD cohort, teaming with TMHC and Renown Health to bring long-term solutions by building a cohesive social network to improve the health of our elders.â The BUILD Health ChallengeÂŽ is made possible with the support of: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, de Beaumont Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., New Jersey Health Initiatives, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. TMHC, Renown Health and WCHD have worked united for the last five years, rallying diverse partners and community leaders to influence and advocate for the regionâs capacity to ensure a healthy community.
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What Is the Importance of Having an Institute for Cancer?
What is an institute for cancer â and why does it matter that we have one right here in Reno? Here, a radiation oncologist answers those questions and more. Sadly, our community health needs assessment shows cancer is the second leading cause of death in Washoe County. But many residents may not know there is an institute for cancer right here in Reno that can care for you or your loved one after diagnosis. Dr. Michael Hardacre, a radiation oncologist with Renown Institute for Cancer is here with more. What is an institute for cancer? The way I like to think of it: An Institute has healthcare providers highly trained in patient-centered care. For example, when you have cancer, many times youâll see a lot of doctors. A program brings those doctors together â so you really have one team working together. An Institute takes that one step further. Say there are other needs beyond the doctorâs office such as nurse navigators, dietitians, physical therapists to help you get on track, etc. An Institute really proactively thinks of the need of the cancer patient. It then makes sure all those things are available to them throughout their treatment. The term âinstitute for cancerâ identifies a cancer program that is comprehensive and multidisciplinary in nature. For Renown, that means that we have the specialists in medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology working together with other specialists to assure that a patient has coordinated care throughout the entire treatment course of cancer care. Together with cancer prevention and diagnostics, genetic assessment, supportive care, clinical trials, and cancer survivorship, the institute for cancer provides care for the community, families and patients along the entire spectrum of cancer care. What types of cancer do you treat? Weâre fortunate to be able to provide cancer treatments for all types of cancers, and weâre one of the major referral centers for northern Nevada. Most commonly, just like much of the country, lung cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer are the most frequent we see. Our care spans brain, to neck cancer and everything in between. As an accredited comprehensive community cancer program, Renown Health provides services for all cancer types. The highest volume cancers treated at Renown are breast, colorectal, lung, genitourinary, blood and gynecologic cancers. Most treatments can be done right here in Reno, but when there are specialty needs such as stem cell or bone marrow transplantation, we partner with quaternary centers, like Stanford, to assure a smooth transition of care both to and from the quaternary center. What kinds of care and treatments are offered? We offer a wide range of comprehensive care. We treat the cancer itself â surgical, radiation oncology, medical oncology in the form of chemotherapy or pills. Also addressed: dietary needs, physical therapy and navigation through this whole process. People may be surprised by the scope and scale of the Renown Institute for Cancer. For instance, our Radiation Center has the latest technologies to treat cancers. This includes the Linear Accelerators, which are machines with treatment planning software tools. In addition to the traditional external radiation treatments provided in most centers, Renown performs specialty treatments using High-Dose Brachytherapy, a treatment with an active radiation âsourceâ and in Brain Stereotactic Radiosurgery, assuring that patients can stay right here in northern Nevada â close to home. What does that mean for the quality of care? I think itâs always great in any environment to have external people come into your program and not only share whatâs happening nationally and what we could do better, but also to validate âare you doing things at the highest level you can?â That accreditation process is just one way to give us that seal of approval. Weâre lucky enough this year to get the gold award by the American College of Surgeons â its highest honor. We were honored to receive it. Why is important that youâre an accredited institute? Accreditation assures our community that quality is a top priority for us. Each of the accrediting bodies has a set of standards that identify service and quality standards. Renown Institute for Cancer has the following accreditations: American College of Surgeonsâ Commission on Cancer: Full Cancer Program accreditation, standards address issues from cancer prevention/diagnosis to treatment to survivorship and/or end-of-life. Renown received the Gold Level Accreditation in 2018, the highest level of accreditation possible; American College of Surgeonsâ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers: Full Breast Center/Program accreditation, standards address issues from breast cancer prevention/diagnosis to treatment to survivorship and/or end-of-life; American College of Radiology â Radiation Therapy: Full Radiation Oncology accreditation for radiation equipment, treatment planning, treatment and treatment follow-up; and American College of Radiology â Mammography Services.
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Thomas S Dolan Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
The program becomes first of its kind to be accredited in Nevada Renown Health is pleased to announce the certification of the Thomas S. Dolan Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Renown South Meadows Medical Center by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR certification demonstrates that an organization's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is aligned with current guidelines set by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for appropriate and effective early outpatient care of patients with cardiac or pulmonary issues. Certification offers peace of mind, so that patients can feel confident in knowing that staff has the experience and skills necessary to coordinate the many issues faced by people receiving a life-changing cardiac or pulmonary diagnosis. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs help people with health issues such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recover faster and live healthier. âHaving access to quality pulmonary rehabilitation services so close to home, staffed by a highly skilled group of compassionate care providers, truly is a gift to our community,â said Tony Slonim,MD, D.Ph., president and CEO of Renown. âWe are extremely proud of the work being done in our pulmonary rehabilitation program, and also forever grateful for Tom Dolanâs donation to the program in 2019, which empowers Nevadans to improve both their health and quality of life.â âThomas S. Dolan Pulmonary Rehabilitation is the only accredited pulmonary rehabilitation program in the state of Nevada,â said Renown South Meadows Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital Vice President Chris Nicholas. âWe take pride in this distinguished honor from the AACVPR as it acknowledges and amplifies the life-changing work happening here. Our dedicated caregivers provide support to our patients every step of the way, helping them lead vibrant and fulfilling lives despite their health conditions.â The comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program at Renown South Meadows Medical Center offers treadmills, stationary bicycles, strength training and an education classroom to help patients achieve health goals. To earn accreditation, Renownâs pulmonary rehabilitation program participated in an application process requiring extensive documentation of the programâs practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. In November 2019, Tom Dolan, owner and founder of Dolan Auto Group, donated to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Renown South Meadows Medical Center after his personal experience thriving in pulmonary rehabilitation brought northern Nevadaâs capabilities, and needs to his attention. His generous donation has allowed Renown to double the number of patients who receive treatment and increase the access to pulmonary rehab in our community. âAs a former patient myself, I found so much benefit in my pulmonary rehab,â said Dolan. âI have always wanted to support this program and increase the number of people it serves. Itâs great to see that we now have the only certified pulmonary rehab in Nevada. âThe most essential component of lung health is breaking the cycle of inactivity associated with lung disease,â said Lung Critical Care Physician Dr. Farah Madhani-Lovely. âOur community is fortunate to have an accredited program like this to empower our patients.â  About AACVPR Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.aacvpr.org.
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Stay Inside When Skies Are Smoky
Even when fires burn outside our area, the air quality in the region can reach dangerous levels. Our expert explains how to maintain your lung health when fire season strikes. Itâs a sight we know all too well as northern Nevadans â a hazy or thick layer on the horizon when smoke rolls in from nearby fires. Sometimes the smoke is more evident than others, but itâs important to remember, even when the smoke may not be as visible across the valley, it still impacts our air quality. The last week or so, our air quality has been in the âunhealthy for sensitive groupsâ range, which can be dangerous for people who are sensitive to air pollution. Air Quality Changes: Whoâs at Risk? Renown Pediatric Pulmonologist Sonia Budhecha, M.D., explains certain people are especially at risk when smoke moves in: Older people, whose lungs are not as healthy as they used to be Young children, whose lungs are still developing People with heart and lung disease including asthma, COPD and emphysema âSmoke and haze from fires carry particulates that can get into your respiratory system and eyes, which can be a danger for all ages,â Dr. Budhecha says. How You Can Protect Yourself Until the smoke clears and the air returns to the âgoodâ range, it is best to follow these tips to protect yourself and your family: Stay indoors and keep windows closed Turn on the air conditioning to recirculate clean air Drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush out any toxins you inhale Additionally, all community members should reduce their physical activity and try to prevent heavy exertion outside. If you or a loved one has a heart or lung disease, avoid physical exertion altogether because smoke can aggravate these conditions. âPeople with heart disease may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations or fatigue,â Dr. Budhecha says. âPeople with lung disease may also have shortness of breath, chest discomfort, wheezing, phlegm or a cough.â Smoky Signs and Symptoms Smoke can also impact healthy people â irritating your eyes, nose or throat. And in some cases, inhaling smoke can lead to bronchitis. When haze moves into our area, keep an eye out for these symptoms: Burning or stinging eyes Runny nose Cough or scratchy throat Headaches Wheezing Shortness of breath Difficult taking a full breath Chest heaviness Lightheadedness Dizziness If experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention or call your doctor for advice. Sometimes, these symptoms do not appear for as long as 24 to 48 hours after smoke inhalation. For those that have pre-existing lung or heart conditions, consult with a health care provider on action or management plans. To schedule an appointment Visit Renown Pulmonary Medicine, or call 775-982-5000. Understanding Our Air Quality The Air Quality Index (AQI) is broken down by large (PM10) and small (PM2.5) particulates. According to Dr. Budhecha, large particulates are usually ones that can be seen and smelled. They can damage your eyes and nose but donât often get deep in the lungs or blood vessels. Â âThe more dangerous ones are PM2.5, which canât always be seen or smelled,â Dr. Budhecha says. âAny time the AQI is above 51, children with lung or heart disease should not be outdoors.â For the latest air quality update in your area, visit AirNow.gov or call (775) 785-4110.
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Free Virtual Event! Saving Money on Medications
According to a National Center for Health Statistics survey, about 8% of U.S. adults are not taking their medications because they canât afford them. This means millions of adults arenât taking their medication due to the high cost. Virtual Event with pharmacist, Adam Porath Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. to Noon Attend Virtual Lecture 5 Ways to Cut Medication Costs Safely Cost might not be affecting your medication plan, but the following ways to save money on medication can help: 1. Questions to ask your prescribing provider Do I have to take this medication? This is particularly a good question when youâve been taking a pill for some time and not sure if you should continue. Is there a way to combine my medications? A good example of this is for those who are taking blood pressure medications. Do I have to take this particular pill? Often there are generic choices in the same medication class. Can I get a larger supply? Basically, knowing the cost of a 30- vs 90-day supply is always a good idea. In other words, it could save you time and money. This generally works for medications you take long-term. Remember, asking questions can help you save money on medication, so communicate your concerns. 2. Research online Find the website for the medication and look to see if there are savings and support available through the drug company. 3. Consider a co-pay card Coâpay cardâŻprograms offered by drug manufacturing companies are a direct way to lower out-of-pocket costs forâŻprescriptionâŻdrugs for eligible patients. TheâŻcardsâŻcan patients pay for the medications they, or their doctors, prefer. If you donât qualify for a co-pay card, then you can look into patient assistance programs. 4. Consider patient assistance programs Drug companies sponsor these programs by income and they are often hard to find. The best way to find a patient assistance program is by asking your pharmacist. 5. If youâre on Medicare, consider updating your plan Medicare plans can change from year to year, which often times includes the medication they cover and the co-payments or deductible amounts. Annual Enrollment takes place October 15 â December 7, 2020. Most important, review the options and shop around for the best plan. Visit Senior Care Plus for information on Medicare Advantage Plans available to you. Want to ask a pharmacist more questions on how to save on medication? Join us for a Sterling Silver Club virtual event on Saving Money on Medication. To learn more about the Sterling Silver Club, visit our club website.
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South Meadows Medical Center Named Number 1 Hospital
U.S. News & World Report recently released their 2020-21 Best Hospitals rankings naming Renown South Meadows Medical Center as the number one hospital in Nevada. U.S. News looked at 4,554 hospitals, which represent nearly all U.S. facilities providing inpatient care. Hospitals are evaluated across a wide range of conditions and procedures, including 16 medical specialty areas of care. âWe are committed to be among the best in the nation for quality, safety and patient experience,â said Tony Slonim, MD, D.Ph., FACHE, president and CEO of Renown. âThis ranking confirms what Renown has always been dedicated to â providing the best patient care possible. Quality and safety are the responsibility of every employee and physician at Renown, and we are proud that Renown South Meadows has been chosen as the best in the state and among the best in the nation.â âWe thank the incredible physicians, nurses and employees at Renown South Meadows Medical Center and across Renown for their dedication to excellent patient care â our employees, patients and our community are the true award winners,â said Chris Nicholas, Vice President & Administrator, Renown South Meadows & Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. âWe applaud them as being not only the best in the state, but among the best in the nation.â âWe are proud that Renown South Meadows is one of Nevadaâs highest rated hospitals, and itâs exciting to have that recognition. Over the last year both our acute care hospitals â South Meadows and Renown Regional Medical Center, have made substantial improvements. We are working every day to ensure we are delivering the highest quality, safest care to our patients and our community,â said Dawn D. Ahner, DSc, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer â Acute Services for Renown. Renown South Meadows has been recognized by several national organizations for excellence and quality, including the Joint Commission, Leapfrog and Health Insight. Renown South Meadows Medical Center is an Accredited Chest Pain Center, and a Pathway Designated hospital for nursing excellence. Renown South Meadows provides an emergency department staffed 24/7 with board-certified emergency physicians, a wide range of services including primary and urgent care medical offices, a lab and health improvement programs. Renown is currently recruiting outstanding employees at https://careers.renown.org/.
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Renown Neuro Diagnostic Laboratory Nationally Recognized
Earning its third five-year accreditation, Renownâs neuro-diagnostic lab remains Nevadaâs only accredited ABRET facility. The Renown Institute for Neurosciences is pleased to announce that the neuro-diagnostic lab at Renown Regional Medical Center has been re-accredited by the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET). ABRETâs lab accreditation process evaluates technical standards, the quality of a laboratoryâs output, and lab management. âRenown Health is a leader and a destination for health in treating neurological disorders and advancing innovations in neurology. The specialists at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences provide comprehensive brain, nerve and surgical support along with a full range of diagnostic and additional procedures and a disease-specific, patient-focused approach to care,â says Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, FACHE, President and CEO, Renown Health. âThis prestigious honor from ABRET means Renownâs Electroencephalogram (EEG) Laboratory has met strict standards and is recognized as a place where patients and physicians can confidently receive quality diagnostics.â âIn addition to re-accreditation from ABRET, the Institute for Neurosciences has earned a Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission and offers advanced treatment options including t-PA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) and biplane angiography. The Level III accredited Epilepsy laboratory implements some of the newest treatments available,â said Renownâs Chief Medical Officer, Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP. âRenown patients also have access to the most promising new therapies through national clinical trials, which have been shown to significantly improve patientsâ health and well-being.â âI am proud to recognize our dedicated team of caregivers for their continued passion and excellence in maintaining the highest standards in patient care,â said Renown Institute for Neurosciencesâ Division Chief, Dr. Rolando Ania. âIt is all thanks to their tremendous efforts that we remain the only ABRET accredited laboratory, as well as the only nationally accredited epilepsy center (NAEC Level III), in the state of Nevada.â Using a collaborative approach, specialists at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences use leading-edge diagnostic tools to identify neurological conditions and treat patients with the most effective techniques available. What is a Neuro-diagnostic Lab? A neuro-diagnostic lab allows care teams the technology to evaluate how a patientâs peripheral, autonomic, and central nervous systems function, and aid in diagnosing and treating conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonâs disease, stroke, and other diseases of the nervous system. What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)? An Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain. During the test, special sensors called electrodes are attached to the patientâs head and hooked by wires to a computer. The computer then records the brainâs electrical activity on the screen. Using a collaborative approach, specialists at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences use leading-edge diagnostic tools to identify neurological conditions and treat patients with the most effective techniques available. Renown Health hospitals are ranked as Nevadaâs top hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
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Renown Regional Medical Center Recognized Among Nations Top Hospitals In Critical Care
The regionâs only trauma center receives top honors from Healthgrades  What is Healthgrades?  Healthgrades, a leading national resource for trusted information about physicians and hospitals, recently announced the recipients of their 2021 Specialty Excellence Awards. These awards recognize hospitals with superior performance and have selected Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nv. as northern Nevadaâs top hospital for critical care. Hospitals in this ranking demonstrate excellent patient clinical outcomes in treating pulmonary embolism, respiratory system failure, sepsis, and diabetic emergencies. Health grades further distinguishes hospitals that stand out as Americaâs 100 Best Hospitals for Specialty Careâ˘, with Renown Regional Medical Center identified as Nevadaâs only critical care hospital to be bestowed with this honor.  What this Award Means To Us  âAt Renown, I am honored to work beside dedicated healthcare heroes who are working tirelessly to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of every patient and family we serve,â says Tony Slonim, MD, D.Ph., FACHE, president and CEO of Renown. âHaving trained and served as a pediatric intensive care physician, this honor from Healthgrades does so much to recognize the compassion, skill, and determination of this incredible team. I join with our community in saluting the Renown Regional Medical Centerâs critical care team as one of the best critical care hospitals in the nation.â âAs the only accredited trauma center between Sacramento and Salt Lake City, we receive and care for critically-injured patients from over 100,000 square miles. Our communities depend on Renown Regional Medical Center for outstanding critical care,â says Dawn D. Ahner, DSc, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Acute Services. âOur multi-disciplinary critical care and intensive care healthcare teams are specially-staffed, equipped and designed to care for, closely monitor, and comprehensively care for patients with life-threatening conditions.â âHaving a specialty-trained team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, care managers, physical and occupational therapists around the clock, every day ensures that, no matter the illness or injury, a patient will be treated with the highest degree of care right away,â says Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, Acute Services. âWhat it comes down to is this; the quicker and more accurately you get treated, the better your outcome will be. That's what makes being one of the most respected critical care teams in the country, so vital to all of us.â âAt Renown, we have done so much over the years, to prepare to meet the need for rapid surges in critically ill or injured patients. Through this pandemic, many patients suffering from complications of COVID-19 have needed intensive care services,â says Erik Olson, MHA, Chief Executive Officer of Renown Regional Medical Center. âAs the demand for critical care and intensive care continues to increase, the ratio of ICU beds to hospital beds will continue to rise as the ICU occupies an ever-larger role at the center of acute hospital care. We appreciate the recognition from Healthgrades demonstrating the Renown teamâs unwavering commitment to the highest level of patient care and safety.â  About Renown Health  Renown Health is the regionâs largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a childrenâs hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group, an urgent care network, and the regionâs largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renownâs institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging, and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include Cancer, Heart, and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences, and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the worldâs largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada ProjectÂŽ. For more information, visit renown.org.  About Healthgrades  Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and their healthcare providers. At Healthgrades, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their provider of choice. With our scheduling solutions and advanced analytics applications, we help our health system and life sciences clients cultivate new patient relationships, improve patient access, and build customer loyalty. At Healthgrades, better health gets a head start.
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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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