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Department Spotlight: Infection Prevention
Hygiene in healthcare is an essential backbone to providing the safest, most optimal care to every patient. From everyday handwashing techniques and getting all necessary vaccinations to surveilling our health system before the onset of outbreaks, at Renown Health, creating and maintaining a low-infection environment is a group effort. From ensuring fundamental infection prevention practices are carried out to identifying process improvement opportunities, Renownâs Infection Prevention (IP) department is here to help care teams be successful in their role. This effort is led by members who are devoted in sharing evidence-based best practices to our patients, employees, healthcare organization partners and community. Making âZeroâ A Reality Reducing healthcare-associated infections is possible when core infection prevention practices are incorporated into the daily care of our patients. These team members are dedicated to Renownâs commitment to creating a culture of Excellence, caring for our healthcare environment, and our care teams. âOften times, when asked what we do in our work it can be a challenge to answer because unpredictability is built into almost every day; and in that, we as a team must divide and conquer,â said Susanne James, Manager of Infection Prevention. Every day, each team member is assigned a day to perform required surveillance activities. Whether they are reviewing patientsâ infections and isolation and evaluating lab orders for possible infectious processes or reporting communicable diseases to the local health authorities and the CDC, every Infection Preventionist participates in improvement projects and address issues as they arise. The Infection Prevention team plans, organizes, manages and evaluates the Infection Prevention Program and ensures IP policies reflect current best practice. They work closely with all departments at Renown in order to achieve high levels of standards that are implemented to reduce transmission of infection. âAs a team, we perform âInfection Prevention Environment of Care Roundingâ on all units and departments to ensure our environment complies with regulatory requirements,â said Erika Clark, Operations Analyst at Renown Health. "We work together with Facilities and Site Practice Leaders to ensure a safe environment.â The pandemic challenged all Renown teams to find creative solutions for issues no one ever imagined. Our Infection Prevention department worked tirelessly alongside Renown's Hospital Incident Command Structure (HICS) and care teams in creating several lines of defense against COVID-19, including: Launching Renown's Alternate Care Site to meet the need for critical patients. Bringing on the new lab tests and specimen collection criteria. Managing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). Bringing vaccines to staff and then to the community. Managing ill employees and our visitors. Keeping all locations informed on pandemic status and changes (which were occurring at breakneck speed). These initiatives enabled Renown's care teams to focus on providing the safest care possible to patients saving countless lives. This solidified the fact that together, the team can accomplish anything. âInfection Prevention is proud to be a valued and respected member of the care team,â said Susanne James. âWe appreciate being a trusted resource and take this responsibility seriously as this enables us to provide staff the best possible tools to be successful.â Fight the Good Fight Against the Spread of Disease Educating patients and providers plays a huge part on the Infection Prevention stage. This team provides educational materials on a range of topics, some of the most important are, proper hand hygiene and the use of PPE. All these materials can be found throughout our health system and serve as an important reminder â infection prevention starts with all of us. âWe partner with every aspect of the health system â environmental services, nutrition services, lab services, facilities, pharmacy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, respiratory care, patient access, security, nurses, providers and quality...just to name a few!â said Susanne James. Our Infection Prevention team also partners with Washoe County Health District and other public health agencies to report â and in turn, stop the spread of â diseases and exposures. These close partnerships poise our team to do what we do best: Fight the Good Fight. âI greatly appreciate everyone in the IP department for sharing their expertise as I learned a new position,â said Erika Clark. âI love working with my team and how closely we work with other departments to ensure excellence in all we do.â Our health system is ever-changing. But according to the experts in our Infection Prevention department, the three main ways to prevent illness and disease that remain the same time and time again are to: Clean your hands. Hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing the spread of infections. The CDC recommends washing your hands with warm soap and water for 15-20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Clean your hands often and assist our patients to do the same. Learn expert hand-washing advice here. Get vaccinated. Immunizations are one of the top methods you can embrace the fight against preventable diseases, such as COVID-19, flu, measles, tetanus and more. Discover how you can get vaccinated with Renown. Keep germs from spreading. Practice good hygiene by covering your cough or sneeze or wearing a mask and sanitizing frequently touched spaces. Stay home if you feel ill to prevent the spread of illness and infection. Be sure to bring up any illness concerns with your primary care provider. âEvery aspect of our health system has an infection prevention component, and we work daily to ensure our staff, patients and visitors are providing and receiving care free from potential harm or infections,â said Susanne James. âWe are often the first call staff make when they have questions, concerns or just need someone to help improve process or outcomes.â Reveling with Renown Proudly defining themselves as a âsmall but mightyâ team, the six-person Infection Prevention department moves mountains to ensure the safety of anyone who walks through Renownâs doors. The tight-knit nature of this team can be felt from miles away, and to them, being âsmall but mightyâ is not a hindrance, as they have the support of the IP Champions and the entire health system. Â âI originally came to Renown in 2018 as a nurse traveler, the facility and people I worked with immediately made an impact on me,â said Brian Stroud, Infection Preventionist at Renown Health. âMy wife and I chose Renown and Reno due to the positive impact the people had on us. Everyone is welcoming, helpful and caring. Now, I am a full-time employee, and the team has made my transition into infection prevention trouble-free." Renownâs mission of providing a genuine difference for the health and wellbeing of the community is heightened and echoed by the Infection Prevention team. âI chose Renown because of the reputation Renown has earned in the community because of the excellent care and level of services provided,â said Shannon Oriola, Infection Preventionist at Renown Health. âI absolutely love this team and my Renown family!â âWhat brought me to Renown was the opportunity to acquire diverse skills which then motivated me to pursue my masterâs degree,â added Paul DeLeon, Infection Preventionist at Renown Health. âWhat keeps me here is the people â Renown attracts hard working, ethical and caring people.â "My wife and I loved coming out to the Nevada mountains on vacations," added Russ Laarman, Infection Preventionist at Renown Health. "After being in Michigan for 47 years, we took the plunge and made NV our home. The experience has been great! I work with a great team that is very knowledgeable and works hard to ensure positive outcomes for our patients and colleagues at Renown.â Their pride shines through with their own individual accolades, both inside and outside of work. This past year: Shannon Oriola received a scholarship from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) for âimproving outcomes through knowledge and practice,â which provided her with a $1,000 scholarship to attend the annual APIC conference in Indianapolis. Paul DeLeon earned his Certification in Infection Control and Prevention from APIC. Erika Clark completed Renownâs High Potential program, a six-month program that gives employees hands-on learning experience with several competencies, including emotional intelligence, effective communication, building successful relationships and organizational knowledge. Brian Stroud and his wife Charla became official Nevada residents. Russ Laarman scaled Mount Whitney. ...And the list keeps growing! Charged with the goal of keeping disease spread at bay, our Infection Prevention team remains vigilant and dedicated to their mission. Their commitment to Renown and to keeping our health system clean and healthy proves the age-old saying true: not all heroes wear capes. âIâm so very proud of the work Infection Prevention does every day, working with the vast teams throughout the health system to improve lives,â said Susanne James. âWe would like to thank all of you for protecting the health and safety of your colleagues, our patients and the community.â
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Department Spotlight Cardiac: Catheterization Lab
February is American Heart Month, but our incredible heart heroes are here to serve you all year long. So please join us in honoring the Cardiac Cath Lab team at Renown Health! At the core of who we all are, we find the heart: one of the largest sources of life that gives us the blood and oxygen we need to live full and healthy lives. When the heart doesnât function to the best of its ability, a delicate approach led by cardiac experts might be necessary. These individuals can not only save lives but also help facilitate a higher quality of life. The team entrusted to protect that vital source of life includes the hard-working and talented individuals in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab (a.k.a. âCardiac Cath Labâ or âCath Labâ) at Renown Health. These team members are known for their expertise, precision and quick-thinking in emergencies. When it comes to the function of your heart, you are in the best hands with this team. Their passion for Renownâs mission of making a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the people they serve is a testament to what they do every day. Cardiac Champions Whether the procedure is emergent or planned, the Cardiac Cath Lab wears many different hats. The team is a well-coordinated group of nurses, imaging professionals, electrophysiology technologists, interventional technologists and more who band together to provide a diverse array of services, including stent placements, pacemakers, balloon pumps, interventional angioplasties, TAVRs and of course, catheters. âA day in the life in the Cath Lab can go various ways,â said Erica Drummer, RN at Renown Health. âEvery day, you are either a part of the electrophysiology team, doing cardiac ablations and placing devises such as pacemakers; the structural heart team, which includes MitraClips for mitral regurgitation and TAVRs; or the heart catheterization team, which includes diagnostic angiograms, heart catheterizations, angioplasties and stents for clogged arteries.â With the wide variety of cases the team sees daily, an average day in the Cath Lab consists of many moving parts. âWe handle cases from left and right heart catheterizations, where we can diagnose and fix the artery right then, to electrophysiology cases like heart ablations and pacemaker implants, all the way to emergency STEMI (heart attack) patients,â said Michael Blankenship, Electrophysiology Technologist at Renown Health. âWe do so many things in the Cath Lab,â added Laurel Douglas, RN, Imaging Manager at Renown Health. âWe ensure we have 24/7 coverage for emergencies, as we often have to act at a momentâs notice to care for emergent situations.â Many of those emergency situations involve heart catheterization. If someone has a heart attack, the team immediately steps in to place stents to open the coronary arteries that are causing the attack. If a patientâs heart needs any assistance during an emergency, the team can place devices such as Impella (temporary ventricular support) or intra-aortic balloon pumps. Renown is a major advocate for advanced medical technology, and the Cardiac Cath Lab team embraces these technologies to perform life-saving procedures, all while working together as a cohesive unit. âWe work amongst each other to ensure sterility, safety and the best outcome for each patient,â said Zohra Benbrahim, RN at Renown Health. âWe try to fit in as many cases as possible into the workday, and sometimes after hours, so patients can get the care they need.â âEach team usually has 3-4 members, and each member has a critical job to carry out in order to implement excellent cardiac care,â added Erica Drummer, RN. âMany of our patients tell us that we all work well together, and I couldnât agree more. We have become like a well-oiled machine or a NASCAR pit crew.â Naturally, patients undergoing any heart procedure might feel frightened and anxious. Never fear â the compassionate Cardiac Cath Lab team is here to ease those fears throughout each patientâs entire visit. Their main solution? Communication. âBeing a patient in the Cath Lab can be daunting,â said Erica Drummer, RN. âWhen we have patients who may feel scared or have concerns, we try our best to connect with them, keep them informed and educate them on the procedure and the step-by-step process, including what they may feel before, during and after.â âOverall, we try to keep spirits light,â said Zohra Benbrahim, RN. âOur team is excellent at explaining the procedure as it is happening. We also advocate for comfort throughout the procedure, which helps tremendously with anxiety, including giving patients warm blankets and music of their choice!â Our experts in the cardiac Cath Lab make sure that no stone goes unturned when it comes to optimal heart function for every patient. Together, the team mends hearts and saves lives, day in, day out. A Growth Mindset Always learning, always improving, always reaching new heights â that's the Cardiac Cath Lab team. This teamâs accomplishments speak for themselves on both a local and national scale. âOver the years, we have achieved several milestones, including becoming a STEMI Receiving Center, gaining our Chest Pain Center Accreditation (which is achieved by Cath Labs who provide emergent percutaneous coronary intervention for heart attack patients 24/7) and having our accredited electrophysiology program,â said Laurel Douglas, RN. âWe also offer services that other facilities do not offer. We have brought in several new procedures to the Cath Lab over the years. This is impactful, as the community members get to stay here for treatment.â The Cath Lab team is anything but ordinary. There is never a dull moment in this department, and despite an ever-growing caseload, the team is always ready to rise to the challenge and continue pushing to surpass the average. âI am so proud of my team for providing care for such sick patients,â said Zohra Benbrahim, RN. âWe never really know how the day is going to go because emergencies happen, and things always change. Recently, we had a record high volume of cases, and my team powered through these busy weeks like champs.â âWe strive to get our STEMI door-to-balloon times at or below 60 minutes,â added Erica Drummer, RN. âDoor-to-balloon time refers to the time from when a patient arrives in the ER to the time the Cath Lab has a catheter guide wire crossing the culprit lesion in the coronary artery that is causing the heart attack. The national average (and current guideline) is 90 minutes, so our 60-minute time is a notable accomplishment for us.â The importance of staying on top of your heart health comes center stage during American Heart Month, which is a prime opportunity for our cardiology professionals to educate the community and help them grow their cardiac knowledge. The cardiac quality team participates in community events throughout the month (and beyond!) to raise awareness for cardiac health. The team also outreaches to other health systems and healthcare partners to highlight what Renown has to offer in the way of heart care. Each Cath Lab team member always reminds patients about lifestyle choices and diet changes that can improve cardiovascular health, and they take this outreach with them all around Renown Regional Medical Center as well, walking through the hallways promoting many different ways of living a heart-healthy life. The journey continues! The team will soon welcome a new Cardiac Cath Lab at Renown South Meadows Medical Center. The new lab will allow our experts in heart care to treat patients at our South Meadows location experiencing a heart attack and needing immediate intervention to open vessels in their hearts. The team is looking forward to embracing even more access to emergent cardiac care for our community at large.  Learn more about how Renown is building more ways to care for our community. Now Hiring for Heart Heroes Those looking to join a caring, committed and tight-knit group of cardiac care professionals will be in good company with the Cath Lab team. According to the members of this department, being a quick-thinking, dependable team member is key to predicting a successful Cath Lab professional. âA good coworker communicates with everyone and is able to be flexible when things get hectic,â said Zohra Benbrahim, RN. âOur team stays so close with each other because of everyoneâs ability to recognize where help is needed. Especially in the Cath Lab, it is important to be always aware of the patientâs vitals and clinical presentation so you can speak up if you notice changes. There are always new procedures or products coming out that become integrated into our practices, so itâs also good to welcome new policies and be adaptive.â âWe are a small team, and everyone sees each other as a friend,â added Laurel Douglas, RN. âWe all know we will need help at some point, whether it be covering an on-call shift or helping during a procedure, so we all help each other. Teamwork and positive attitude are really what makes you a good team member.â Not only are these individuals dedicated to impacting the lives of patients with the very organ that beats life into them, but they also are devoted to Renown â and it shows. âI started working for Renown when I was 19 years old, and Renown was the medical system I went to for care; as I spent more time working here and becoming a part of the community, I could not see myself working anywhere else or getting care at any other hospital,â said Zohra Benbrahim, RN. âI truly believe Renown provides the best care and best serves the growing community of northern Nevada.â The Cath Lab team members agree that Renown is a great place to both start and continue your career. Many of them have taken advantage of Renownâs training and educational opportunities, which in turn have helped them expand their knowledge to better serve the community. âI chose to work at Renown because it gave me the place to grow in my career and experience different avenues within my career,â said Michael Blankenship. âI first started off as a student here, and I quickly realized that everybody I worked with genuinely cares for our patients. I started off in x-ray seeing patients and eventually did rotations up in the operating room, and I got hired full time in the Cath Lab. After a short time being here, I was crossed trained in the electrophysiology lab, where I furthered my knowledge in my career.â This dynamic department is actively hiring, and many open positions are sign-on bonus eligible. The team cannot wait to welcome you to their, as Erica Drummer puts it, âwell-oiled machine.â âBeing a Cath Lab nurse is very rewarding, especially when youâre able to be a part of a team that can save someoneâs life,â Erica closes.
Read More About Department Spotlight Cardiac: Catheterization Lab
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Department Spotlight: Surgical Preadmission
Heading into surgery of any kind can bring along feelings of intimidation. With a best-in-class surgery team at Renown Health, patients rest assured that they are in the most capable hands for their entire procedure from start to finish â and while the physical preparation is vital, mental and emotional preparation is equally as important to ensure each patient has a smooth and comfortable experience. The Surgical Preadmission department (a.k.a. âpreadmitâ) at Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center is a dynamic and compassionate group of nurses, case managers, chart managers and more who are dedicated to guiding each patient through the surgical process. With extensive knowledge and expertise under their belt, the teams are equipped to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of all patients, for all surgeries, at all times of the year. Surgery Starting Ground The Surgical Preadmission teams are crucial aspects in the successful outcome of every surgical procedure. Comprised of skilled healthcare professionals, this department is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and care before heading into the pre-operating room. âOur job is to prepare every patient for surgery, make sure all their pre-surgery testing is done, ensure they understand their fasting and medication instructions, have had their questions answered, have a ride home and know what to expect during surgery and after so their recovery can go smoothly and without complications,â said Debra Bennett, RN, Supervisor of Surgical Preadmission at Renown Regional. âEach patient is unique, so each experience is different.â Our preadmit nurses are the masters of communication, directing thorough assessments â including medications, tests and clearances â and addressing any questions or concerns patients may have, never missing the opportunity to inform them of exactly what they will expect in surgery. âI do a complete history on every patient while giving them detailed pre-operating instructions and helping them answer any questions to the best of my ability,â said Nancy Hilts, Surgical Preadmission RN at Renown Regional. âI am proud to be able to help allay their fears and concerns using my 30 years of pre-op experience. I offer an avenue for them to feel comfortable opening up to me.â âWe always tell patients that they have great surgeons and a fantastic team that will be watching over them and taking care of them every step of the way,â added Jon Capallupo, Surgical Preadmission RN at Renown South Meadows. âWe also give them plenty of educational handouts and video content, in addition to verbal instruction, to ensure they are as prepared as possible.â The nurses then pass the reigns onto the chart managers, who prepare the charts for surgery and ensure all documentation is up-to-date before sending them to the pre-operative team. The expert surgical case managers also step in to prepare a thorough discharge plan, along with reviewing pre-operation orders for status, consent, codes and more. The team does several of these initial visits virtually, and they are looking forward to soon phasing all preadmit case manager preliminary visits into a virtual model. From assisting the pre-op and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) teams with discharge planning concerns to helping on the outpatient side with anything from oxygen equipment and catheters to transportation issues and those experiencing homelessness, our pre-admit case managers are always up to the challenge. "We are true patient advocates, alleviating concerns and fears along the way,â said Mary Carl, RN, Case Manager at Renown Regional. âJust to name a few things we do on a daily basis, we see our total joint and non-weight bearing patients during their preadmission appointment, so they are aware of the medical equipment they need and if it is covered by insurance; provide education for Aspira catheters and gastrostomy tubes; advocate to ensure tube feeding and dressing changes are set up for hospice and home health patients; and escalate concerns of patient safety to ensure a safe discharge.â In the midst of it all, there is never a dull moment in the preadmit teams. At Renown Regional alone, the preadmit professionals see more than 1,600 patients a month â and each one has a hyper-personalized experience with their very own preadmit team. âMany times, we are the first impression a patient has on our organization; after all, we touch more than 97 percent of patients that are scheduled for surgery, cardiac catheterization lab procedures or interventional radiology,â said Amy Schler, Surgical Preadmission RN at Renown Regional. âWe also collaborate with many other departments in the hospital as well, from surgeons and anesthesiologists to case managers and nurse navigators. Our work in preadmit impacts the entire surgical process.â Holding a diverse array of experiences, our preadmit department plays an integral role in our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to every patient. Knowledge is Power Heading into surgery feeling fearful and worried is normal for any patient. However, how would you feel knowing that each individual member on your preadmit team has, on average, 23-25 years of experience in the field? This is the reality for our Surgical Preadmission department â and they put that vast knowledge to great use to bring a sense of calm to patients. âOur team members have worked in various departments within our organization, and they bring a wealth of knowledge that we share with each other, and most importantly, with our patients,â said Amy Schler, RN. âIf you have hundreds of years of nursing experience, you can speak not only as a nurse but also as a patient. It allows you to give a more personal perspective on what patients can expect in their recovery. Being able to assess their emotions and provide feedback to our pre-op and PACU teams help the patient have a better experience.â âMany of our nurses have close to 40 years of experience each, and they have an extremely large knowledge base since we see patients from newborn to geriatric and from easy procedures to complex surgeries,â added Debra Bennett, RN. âAnother great aspect of our team is the varied nursing backgrounds we all hold â surgery, pre- and post-op, labor and delivery, pediatric intensive care, cardiology, gastroenterology, urology, cardiac cath lab, home health and everything in between. Communication between departments is so important!â All members in this department, regardless of which clinical area they came from, surgical or non-surgical, can easily translate their skills into the work they do in preadmit â and they only continue to grow. âAs a surgical preadmission nurse, I have used my years of experience as a nurse in surgical services,â said Terri Delatorre, Surgical Preadmission RN at Renown Regional. âI started as a floor nurse with orthopedics for 12 years, and then I worked with the PACU for 11 years. This has helped me give great understanding and care to our surgical patients.â âBecause we have staff with such a vast knowledge base, we can rely on our years of working within our organization to help alleviate fears that the patient may have,â added Amy Schler, RN. We can prepare them for what to expect in pre-op and PACU and educate them on what to expect post-op, including any barriers they may face. For example, mastectomy patients may not realize they will not be able to raise their arms for 7-10 days post-op, and total knee patients have to navigate stairs and housing access. Helping patients think about barriers at home that they may not have thought about helps them prepare prior to surgery, enhances their healing and provides a better surgical experience.â The preadmit team works closely with our best-in-class surgeons and anesthesiologists, continuing to grow their expertise along the way while learning alongside our talented providers. For instance, when it comes to our Renown South Meadows preadmit department, anesthesiologist Nariman Rahimzadeh, MD provides excellent guidance for the entire team on state-of-the-art anesthesiology practices. âI am very proud of the work we do with Dr. Rahimzadeh,â said Lisa Closson, Surgical Preadmission RN at Renown South Meadows. âTogether, we ensure patients are safe for both surgery and anesthesia.â Despite the challenges that come their way â whether it be changes to process and workflow to navigating support for patients after they leave the surgery floor â the preadmit team cleverly uses their collective wealth of knowledge to bring hope and comfort to all patients. âOur nurses are such warm, caring and compassionate humans that do their best to ease any fears and anxieties patients may have,â said Debra Bennett, RN. The Pride of Preadmission The pride of our preadmit team lies in their ability to make a positive impact on all patients they serve. To them, their work is not just a job â it's a calling. And they do it all while working together to elevate their team and performance. âOur team is most proud of the quality of care we provide to our patients and our abilities to troubleshoot difficult situations to ensure they have a great surgical experience here at Renown,â said Mary Carl, RN. The entire department supports each other by working collaboratively and relying on each otherâs expertise to provide the best possible care for patients. They understand that their success as a team depends on their abilities to support and help each other. âOur team is awesome here at South Meadows,â said Jon Capallupo, RN. âWe can turn to each other for support, and we all work very well with each other. I am glad to be a part of this team.â âI am proud of how well all of us in preadmit works with each other every day,â added Lisa Closson, RN. âWe try to make patients feel comfortable from the moment they arrive to the time they leave the department.â The pride that our preadmit team expends goes beyond their departmental limits â these team members are also trusted teachers. They work closely with cancer nurse navigators to teach weekly classes for patients who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer, coupled with lymphedema prevention and education classes. The team also encourages participation in Renownâs free smoking cessation programs to help their patients learn the risks and benefits of quitting smoking. When not serving patients or teaching classes, you can find many of these team members taking charge of multidisciplinary committees within our health system, including breast leadership, gastroenterology leadership, shared governance, infection control and recruitment and retention. On top of it all, this team certainly knows how to celebrate, with several of their members being a part of their own department-wide Celebration Committee, where they gather for retirement parties, baby showers and team get-togethers. Always active and never passing up a challenge, our preadmit department are shining examples of Renownâs Culture Commitments, especially Caring and Collaboration, and the pride in the vital work they do every day is limitless. âI am so happy my position in preadmit opened up for me at a time when I was really feeling challenged in my career,â said Nancy Hilts, RN. âThe team that we have here is amazing. I am so grateful and thankful every day for the opportunity. It is an amazing place to work!â
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Department Spotlight: NICU Transport
Bringing in new life is an exciting and beautiful occasion. The possibilities for the newest members of our world are endless â what will the child grow up to become? What will they achieve in their lifetime? Anyone will agree that a new life is precious and protecting that life by any means possible is a necessity. Sometimes, however, a babyâs journey into our world brings along obstacles. Prematurity, congenital defects and other complications can accompany a birth and the babyâs first few moments of life. But what happens when these complications happen outside of a fully-functioning Labor & Delivery unit, or if the complications need a special level of intervention with a health system capable of caring for their unique needs? Enter the NICU Transport team at Renown Health. As the only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Transport team in northern Nevada, these dedicated nurses, respiratory therapists and neonatal nurse practitioners â who have normal unit duties of their own at Renown Regional Medical Center â step up to the plate to take on this extra duty to support members of their community facing some of the scariest moments of their lives. To them, transporting babies in critical condition and giving them the best chance of life isnât just a responsibility; itâs a calling. The NICU on Wheels When the Saint Maryâs maternity unit, which was Renownâs partner in NICU transport duties, made the decision to close, our dedicated NICU nurses and respiratory therapists diligently rose to the occasion to fill the demand. Dubbed the âNICU on Wheels,â Renownâs team went from taking on transport duties every other day to 365 days a year â and they are always ready to go at a momentâs notice, whether itâs by ambulance or by fixed-wing aircraft. âWhen we learned about the closure we knew it was our calling and knew we had to step up,â said Rachel D., Neonatal Transport RN at Renown. âWe still have regular days on the floor, and we each switch off being on-call for transport. Once we get a distress call, we have 30 minutes to get to the hospital, grab our gear and go. We have to essentially put a whole roomâs worth of portable equipment in one bag.â âI really enjoy being a part of the transport team and making a difference from northern Nevada to northern California,â added Sam V., Supervisor of Respiratory Care at Renown. âWe are able to practice at the top of our skill level and use autonomy that not every practitioner gets to use.â Each NICU Transport unit works in teams of three when heading out into the field: one nurse (our bedside experts), one nurse practitioner (our education experts) and one respiratory therapist (our lung and breathing experts). With several years â and in many cases, decades â of experience in NICU nursing, NICU transport duties and respiratory therapy, this team is poised to provide state-of-the-art lifesaving care en route to the hospital. This diverse array of experiences among the team especially comes in handy as they continue to face the increased transport workload. âWe are so thankful to have Saint Maryâs employees come over and work on our team after their maternity ward closed,â said Melyssa H., RN, NICU Transport Coordinator at Renown. âHelping the babies, as well as helping the scared families, will always be our top priority.â âI love the complexity that babies provide in the NICU,â added Jennifer J., Neonatal Transport RN at Renown. âProviding hands-on care right at the bedside along other members of the team is such a rewarding experience.â Education is also a crucial tool in NICU care, especially in the field. The nurse practitioners on this team make it their mission to outreach to the community, including our rural health partners, and help them build the tools and skills they need to care for our smallest and most critical patients. âI have been on a few transports where we went out and did not have to bring the baby over to the hospital, and we were able to provide lots of education instead,â said Shiela A., Respiratory Specialist at Renown. âFor instance, I was called out to Fallon for a baby that was in respiratory distress. When we arrived, we saw the baby was awake and active although intubated. The tube came out, and we retaped it. While we stayed to observe the baby to make sure everything was okay, the nurse practitioner on the team provided educational tools to the family on what they can improve on regarding their babyâs tubing. Our nurses do such a great job with these teachings.â âWhen I started, I quickly noticed that more education was needed in the field,â added Jennifer J., RN. âNow I see the momentum weâve had in these communities really take full force. Because of this education, and the confidence we instill in our patientsâ families, each babyâs transition to our team has become so much easier. It has been awesome to watch this progress over the years.â With immense experience, education and a strong commitment to their community under their wing, the NICU on Wheels is only just getting started. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Running a successful NICU Transport operation, especially as the sole health system participating, takes a village. With only three professionals out in the field, the team leans on their fellow nurses, physicians, surgeons and specialists to make the operation run as smoothly as possible. From REMSA and Care Flight helping load patients in and get them to the hospital safely, to Renownâs Clinical Engineering team who are first on the scene when machines need repairs and troubleshooting, everyone rises to the occasion to achieve the best-possible outcome for our youngest patients at some of the most challenging moments of the beginning of their lives â and they are fully trusted to move those mountains. âBeing a part of the NICU Transport team has given us the opportunity to facilitate a deeper, meaningful relationship with providers and a patientâs entire care team,â said Rachel D., RN. âThey entrust us with our assessment skills, opinions and skill levels. There is an equal layer of trust between us and them.â Despite the pressure they feel every day, the NICU Transport team never let it overtake them and instead let it empower them. âWe are under a lot of pressure and stress regardless of the case, and yet, we all work so well together; the teamwork really is incredible,â said Lisa A., Respiratory Specialist at Renown. âI am very proud of how our team steps up and is very intricate, even down to organization. For example, team members like Shiela arrange all the respiratory bags and make sure they are laid out in a way that makes the procedure as simple as possible to ensure there are no complications.â The nurses and respiratory therapists also partner together on the NICU floor and are always ready to provide coverage when their transport colleagues get a call. Committed to collaboration and ready to jump into action, the NICU Transport team works together to elevate each other and the bottom line for each patient. âThis is a full-time gig, and the group works together to make sure everyone is covered; we are all very collaborative,â said Sarah K., Respiratory Specialist at Renown. âWe all think of our patients as extra special, and itâs nice to know that you can make a difference in the babyâs life and the lives of the family. We all have a sense of purpose in giving back to the community.â âI am just so thankful to be a part of this team,â added Marcia A., Neonatal Transport RN at Renown. âWe really have developed a strong bond.â A Track Record of Success The life-saving measures that each member of the NICU Transport team take surpass hospital walls. The impact they have on each baby are remembered and celebrated for years, and they often develop lifelong relationships with patients and their families after their stay in the NICU. One prime example of this can be found in an impassioned letter from Tess, the mother of a young boy who was in the midst of respiratory distress and needed immediate intervention. Because of the valiant efforts of Renownâs NICU Transport team, her child, Warren, is a healthy and happy baby to this day. She recalls the experience: Warren had stopped breathing while getting routine blood work. He was resuscitated twice while at an area hospital. We made the decision to transfer him to Renown for him to be admitted into the NICU. Within an hour and a half of this decision, Renown had sent a team consisting of a respiratory therapist, nurse and nurse practitioner to come and get him. As soon as the team entered the room, we immediately felt safe and comforted. The team made sure we knew exactly what was going on and what was going to happen in the following hours, and they let us know they would do everything for Warren. He was resuscitated two more times by the respiratory therapist while getting ready for transport. At that time, the decision was made to intubate for a smoother ride to Renown. We knew you all had his best interest in mind, and of course, we trusted you with everything. The intubation went well, and he was packed up and ready to drive. Today, Warren is hitting all of his developmental milestones and is a normal, happy baby in everyoneâs eyes. We canât thank the NICU Transport team enough for taking such good care of Warren and helping him Fight the Good Fight. âThis success wasnât just due to our three-person unit â our manager, Jason, also jumped in and drove all the way to Carson City to stabilize the child,â said Shiela A. âThis just goes to show that no matter our title, we are always here to help and make a huge difference in the lives of our patients.â Success stories of children like Warren describe the common mission of the NICU Transport team in detail, and while there are more of these stories to come, the team is always ready to make the necessary sacrifices for the greater good of their patients. âSarah K. is like Warrenâs guardian angel,â said Tess. âWe call her âAuntie Sarahâ now. He wouldnât be here if it werenât for her and the entire NICU Transport team. It takes a special kind of person to work in the NICU. I can never repay this team for what theyâve done for Warren and our family.â âI am proud of this team, their flexibility and the sacrifices they have made to do transport 365 days a year,â added Melyssa H., RN.â The remarkable success of the NICU Transport team serves as proof of the unwavering and tireless commitment of each and every team member, bringing hope to families during their most difficult moments. âNICU Transport forces you to be confident in yourself and your abilities and to push yourself a step further,â said Rachel D., RN. âI am a better nurse because I joined the transport team.â
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Department Spotlight: Child Life
March is National Child Life Month. Join us in recognizing our Child Life team at Renown Health! The hospital environment can be a daunting and confusing place for a child. Whether they are admitted to the hospital themselves or have a family member who is currently undergoing treatment, they undoubtedly bring along a lot of overwhelming questions and concerns. No one would be better to guide them through the process than the Child Life department at Renown Health. Our devoted Child Life Specialists and Child Life Assistants dedicate themselves to helping our youngest patients and children of relatives in the hospital cope with their anxieties and fears. With the smiling faces of the Child Life team on their side, children at Renown have a sense of solace while they are in the hospital with a team to cheer them on every step of the way. Offering a Hand to Hold From the first moment of a childâs visit to Renown, they are never alone. The Child Life team, which is made up of three specialists and two assistants, is here to provide a helping hand throughout the entire hospital process, explaining each test, procedure and process every step of the way and creating the best possible plan for each patient â all while fostering and maintaining a safe and supportive environment. âWe are specifically trained to help patients and families throughout their healthcare experiences,â said Amanda Cleary, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist. âThis looks different for every family. We are trained to tailor our services to meet individual family and cultural needs based on our assessment.â âIt does not take long for a Child Life Specialist to create a safe relationship with a pediatric patient,â added Angie McEvers, CCLS, CFLE, Child Life Specialist. âThe Child Life department can help any care team do their job by redirecting a childâs focus and distracting them from painful interventions, and this is a win-win for both the patient and the care team.â This teamâs primary goal is to make talking to doctors and undergoing tests a little less intimidating for our youngest patients. Interaction is a crucial part of a childâs healthcare journey. Our Child Life Specialists are masters at procedure preparation, surgery preparation, trauma support and diagnosis education while meeting each child where they are at developmentally. âA day in the life of a Child Life Specialist is never the same, and every child is different,â said Jennifer Nunzir, CCLS, Child Life Specialist. âTo make sure patient care is possible, I make sure I am here mentally for the patients and families. I am ready with a smile to greet them and try to make them comfortable from the start. We are always present to support a patient and family with a new diagnosis, talk to children when there has been a tragic accident, make memories for families and giving children a distraction from tests and procedures.â âOne of the biggest benefits to our job is our ability to provide emotional support and communicate with families in a way that makes them feel seen and heard,â added Amanda Cleary. âWe listen to the familyâs past medical experiences and work on building rapport by building those connections. When you get a child to open up, you see who they are as an individual, and we build from there.â The efforts of the Child Life team go beyond helping children with coping skills. They also jump in with activities to keep kids of all ages engaged â from arts and crafts to pet therapy. âBringing children smiles through play and giving them fun things to do â whether itâs watching a movie, playing a game, doing an art project, going for a wagon ride or taking them to the Childrenâs Healing Garden â makes me feel I am making a difference,â said Jennifer Nunzir. âIf I can get the child and family to at least smile or laugh, I feel I have already eased some fear and anxiety. It truly is the best feeling to get them smiling and laughing.â âThrough play, conversation, distraction or relaxation techniques, patients cope better, and families are calmer,â added Angie McEvers. Teaching Every Step of the Way Education is a crucial aspect in this department. Each Child Life team member works closely with their patientâs care teams to break down âdoctor speakâ with age-appropriate explanations.  âChildren come into the hospital for all sorts of reasons, from a broken bone to cancer; our background in child development and psychology helps us collaborate with the patientsâ providers and explaining what each part of the care journey is depending on a childâs developmental level,â said Amanda Cleary. âFor example, we can explain what a brain tumor is with playdough and help a child with a new diabetes diagnosis understand what it means to balance sugars using play food. It's all about providing family-centered support so that they feel more in control. I canât tell you how many times Iâve seen parentsâ eyes light up when the kids play. They are all coping, learning and growing together.â To Help with the Happy and the Sad When healthcare journeys donât go as planned, support from care teams is crucial for families facing grief or loss. The Child Life Specialists are one of the first on the scene to provide support for children and their families, providing education on how to talk to children about death and helping families preserve the memories of their loved ones for years to come. âOne of the most difficult things we do is provide bereavement support,â said Angie McEvers. âNot only do we provide support for families of pediatric patients but also adult patients who have children. Our team takes the time to help families with memory making with handprints, journals, books, the list goes on. No one should have to go through this process alone, and we make sure that doesnât happen.â Above all else, the Child Life team are here, first and foremost, for the patients and their families. They are the drive that keeps them going â and helps them reinvigorate that passion for their work every day. âI have met some of the most amazing children and families, and they definitely are what keep me here at Renown,â said Jennifer Nunzir. The Road to Child Life The journey to becoming a Child Life Specialist looks different for every team member, and many of them discovered the field while pursuing careers in other healthcare areas. Beyond their passion for children and families â and their Certified Child Life Specialist credential â our Child Life team members are also highly educated in the fields of human development, nursing and psychology, knowledge that benefits them greatly in their career. Amanda Cleary had the unique experience of pursuing a Child Life career at Childrenâs Hospital of Los Angeles before she arrived at Renown last year, implementing her knowledge from her bachelorâs degree in human development and family studies into a clinical child life internship and a robust career in Child Life. âWhile at Penn State, I learned about the Child Life career path through the Childrenâs Miracle Network Dance Marathon,â said Amanda. âI knew that this was the path I wanted to take. I did a 600-hour internship, and from there I was hired at Childrenâs Hospital of Los Angeles, where I stayed for 11 years. As a lifelong learner, I knew I wanted to pursue more â so I achieved my masterâs degree online in child life leadership and advocacy at the Erickson Institute in Chicago, and what I learned in that program continues to serve me well in my career at Renown.â Other Child Life Specialists, like Angie McEvers and Jennifer Nunzir, had already been with Renown for several years in other departments and built up a wealth of healthcare knowledge before discovering their passion for the mission of Renownâs Child Life program. âI have been here for 23 years; I always knew I wanted to work with children in the hospital because I love kids, and although I originally wanted to be a nurse, I realized that I actually wanted to be on the other side of helping,â said Jennifer. âAt the time, I didnât know there was a job like the Child Life Specialist out there, and I feel so lucky to have found this career. Over the years, as Reno has grown, so has our program, which is very exciting. I knew Renown would be the place where I could grow as well." âThis year is my 24th year with Renown,â added Angie. âBefore I worked here, I was an Advanced EMT/Firefighter while pursuing my nursing degree. In working with the medical team from Children's Hospital of Oakland in pediatric hematology/oncology, I was able to see first-hand the benefit of Child Life. I was driven to finish my human development degree and passed my certification testing, and ever since then, Iâve been with Pediatrics, PICU and the Childrenâs ER.â  We could not have said it better ourselves â this is a field that is constantly evolving and progressing, and while not everyone is familiar with it, our Child Life Specialists are ready to change that narrative. âThere is a lot of opportunity here to continue to grow the Child Life program,â said Amanda. âNot all hospitals have a Child Life program, but we are lucky that Renown does. Any aspiring Child Life Specialist should consider coming here, as it has been a great experience. It is a familial feeling here, and I definitely feel like I am in the right place.â There is Strength in Numbers It takes a village to serve the emotional needs of the many children and families that walk through the doors of Renown Childrenâs Hospital, and our Child Life Specialists are considered some of the key leaders of that village.  The outpouring of support for our Child Life program is astonishing. Not only have our patients and employees made generous donations, but members of the greater Reno-Sparks community are always there ensure kids in the hospital can be kids. The Nevada Wolf Pack, SCHEELS, Great Reno Balloon Race and Atlantis Casino are just a few of the many generous organizations that have donated both toys and time to our youngest patients. To support any child dealing with a serious illness, especially cancer, Beads of Courage steps in to help children âvisually record, tell and own their stories of courageâ using beads as a symbol. Representatives from Beads of Courage volunteer their time to help our youngest patients keep track of their valiant fight against their illness, adding a bead to their necklaces after every step in their care journey. âWe rely on our generous community and donations that come in, and we see a lot during the holiday season â we definitely can benefit from this year-round,â said Amanda. The donations allow the Child Life team to expand their play, coping and distraction opportunities for patients and families, allowing them to reach more children within their small, mighty and growing team of five.  âOur goal as a team is to work with as many pediatric patients and children of relatives seeking treatment as possible, so the opportunity to grow our team would be awesome,â said Amanda. And grow they will! The team recently welcomed two dedicated Child Life Assistants, Marissa Arriaga and Sydnee Patterson, during Child Life Month. These team members work alongside the Child Life Specialists to help provide opportunities for developmental play, both in the playroom and at the bedside. Marissa and Sydnee ensure that the kids can still be kids, even while they are in the hospital. Additionally, the Child Life department is currently hiring more Child Life Specialists. If this line of work speaks to you or someone you care about, they are strongly encouraged to apply, because in the end: "We do it all for the kids,â closes Jennifer Nunzir.
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Winterize Your Skin with These 5 Easy Expert Tips
Winter skin alert â cold temperatures can put your skin into chaos. We asked for skin tips from Heidi Nicol, an esthetician with Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care. She shares how to keep your skin glowing through the frosty months ahead. With the change from warm to cold weather, your skin can get stressed out. In fact, issues like flaky skin, irritation and chapped lips can be an everyday struggle. 5 Easy Winter Skincare Tips 1. Re-think your shower Few things feel better on a cold day than a long, hot shower. But hot showers can lead to dry skin because they strip your skin of its natural protective oils. Avoiding them altogether is best â choose a lukewarm, or warm, shower instead. If you have an occasional hot shower, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests keeping it at five to ten minutes. Nicol recommends using a gentle cleanser and avoid using too much. Moisturizing after a shower or bath while your skin is still damp is also a must. Slathering on your favorite lotion helps your skin hold on to precious moisture. 2. Stay away from smoke and fire Although sitting close to a roaring fireplace can feel good, it is drying to your skin. Smoking and exposure to smoke also harms your skin. Smoking reduces healthy blood flow to the skin. This also causes your skin to wrinkle faster, making you looker older. Additionally your skin heals much slower if you smoke. 3. Consider a humidifier Cranking up the thermostat dries out indoor air. Skin is our largest organ, and in general, heat is very drying to your skin. To clarify, over time dry air degrades your skinâs natural moisture (lipid) barrier leading to flaking, peeling and cracking. Your skin can overcompensate for the dryness by producing even more oil. In other words it is possible for your skin to be both oily and dehydrated at the same time. Even oily skin needs a daily lightweight, non-pore clogging moisturizer. 4. Use SPF daily The sunâs rays damage your skin even on cloudy days. Sunlight contains UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays. Although UVB rays are less strong in the winter, the UVA rays are same strength all year. And snow can reflect almost 90% of UV radiation. With this in mind make sure you have suitable skin and eye protection when going outdoors. 5. Take care of your hands and feet Donât forget your fingers and toes when moisturizing. These areas tend to be drier than other parts of the body. Gloves help to protect hands from winter weather and lock in moisture. Similarly, putting lotion on your feet before your socks will keep them your skin from flaking and cracking. Follow the tips above to make sure your skin is at its best, despite the winter weather. Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care | 775-982-8255 Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care offers a comprehensive range of treatments and products to address any skin care need. Visit our beautiful office in south Reno and browse our product lines. Experts are available to answer any questions concerning your skin care and health and wellness needs.
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Prevent Breakouts by Keeping Your Makeup Tools Clean
Did you know that your makeup brushes are likely full of built-up dirt and bacteria? Using dirty makeup tools can lead to irritation, breakouts and even infections. The good news? It's completely preventable. An expert explains For anyone who regularly wears makeup, brushes are great tools for powdering, contouring and finishing touches. Unfortunately, these same brushes also harbor harmful bacteria that can clog pores and cause unwanted breakouts. âBrush hairs and sponges are porous, and hold on to oils, debris and bacteria,â says Heidi Nicole, medical esthetician with Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care. âAlso, if they are dirty, the application of makeup can be spotty and make blending more difficult." Most dermatologists suggest that you clean your makeup brushes at least once a week. Because they are used on your face, it makes sense to keep them as a clean as possible. In addition, your brushes will last longer if you stay on top of cleaning them. Six simple steps to integrate makeup brush care into your beauty routine: Wet your brush with lukewarm water. (Donât soak your brushes, as water in the brush barrel can cause the hairs to fall out.) Place a drop of gentle cleanser or specialized brush cleaner in the palm of your hand. Gently massage the tips of the bristles on your palm. Rinse the bristles well. Blot with a clean towel and reshape the head. Let the bristles dry over the edge of a counter. Do not allow the bristles to dry on the towel, which could cause the brush to mildew. Store your brushes in a clean, dry place in between uses.
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Simply Spectacular Sterling Silver Member Rhogenia
Whether watching a 4th of July celebration from her fatherâs boat on the Saint Johns River or sneaking a peek at a post-game display over Gator Bowl Stadium from her parentsâ bedroom window, the fondest childhood memories of Sterling Silver Club featured member are of fireworks. âI love watching fireworks,â says Rhogenia. âAnd I get just as excited by them now as I did then.â Well, fireworks are certainly a fitting introduction to this Sterling Silver Club member who shines with a spectacular collection of accomplishments, adventures and interests. A Passion for Teaching Rhogenia remembers herself as a happy, carefree child âwho read all the timeâ while growing up in Jacksonville, Florida with her younger sister, Rosemary, and her father and mother, who was a public school teacher. Itâs easy to see how this natural enthusiasm for reading (and learning), along with her motherâs influence, would spark Rhogeniaâs calling â and passion â for teaching. After earning her bachelorâs degree in education, Rhogenia spent the first 2 years of her career as a kindergarten teacher in a âone traffic lightâ town in her home state. She then moved to Oakland, California where she taught kindergarten and first grade classes at various schools for 4 years. The Biggest Little City in the World came next, and her stay there would last much longer. In Reno, Rhogenia added a masterâs degree to her credits and found a home for her teaching career at Grace Warner Elementary School â where she taught first and second grade for 20 years! During that time, she also took on the additional role of adjunct professor, teaching graduate students for the University of Phoenix, College of Education.  âA great teacher never stops learning,â explains Rhogenia. âI believe the art of teaching is the act of facilitating discovery, for students and also for myself.â In recognition of her efforts, Rhogenia received the Reno Gazette Journalâs Best of Education Award, the Washoe County Teachers Association Distinguished Performance Award, and was also awarded a grant from Learn and Serve America to help her support student programs that gave back to the community. Rhogeniaâs favorite quote: âOne hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child.â â Adapted from an essay by Forest Witcraft Commissions, Councils & Space Camp Life outside the classroom also kept Rhogenia busy â and inspired â throughout her career. In 1998, she was selected to participate in an educator externship, and in 1999, was chosen to be a teacher consultant to the Alliance Summer Geography Institute. These opportunities allowed Rhogenia to return to her students with exciting lessons to share about different types of industries and the importance of geography, respectively. In 2002, the governor appointed her commissioner for the state of Nevadaâs Commission on Professional Standards in Education. And Rhogenia followed that up with an appointment to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 2004. She also got to travel. Rhogenia was one of two teachers from Nevada chosen to participate in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher program on its 50th anniversary. Originally established in 1946 to foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan, the trip allowed Rhogenia to represent her state, her country and her race to Japanese dignitaries, business people and students alike. For over three weeks, she toured schools, universities, factories, temples, art galleries and museums, and stayed in the home of a Japanese family for a few days â which she calls the highlight of her trip. Oh, and then there was the time she went to space camp! The Nevada Teacher in Space Program sent Rhogenia to join teachers from across the county at the out-of-this-world camp in Huntsville, Alabama. On âTeam Endeavor,â she learned what it would be like to deliver payloads and perform experiments at the International Space Station, and took a seat in flight simulators and an antigravity chair. The goal of the program was to inspire teachers to help their students learn about the infinite possibilities of math and science. Time for What Matters These days, Rhogenia enjoys spending time on the things that matter most to her. Personally, that means diving into hobbies like genealogy, music, reading, writing, cooking and the occasional card or board game. She also continues to learn and broaden herself through Osher Life Long Institute (OLLI) classes and Retired Living Truth Series seminars. But her greatest joy comes from spending time with family â four generations of her own family, her church family, retired teachers from Warner Elementary and the many acquaintances and friends sheâs come to know over the years. Other things worthy of Rhogeniaâs time: Giving back to the community, rainbows, sunsets and sometimes, just watching the clouds roll by. Membership & Senior-ship What does Rhogenia think about being a Sterling Silver Club member and a senior? She told us. âBefore COVID, it was the face-to-face club events that I liked most,â recalls Rhogenia. âAt the Silver Stars Gala, I had such a wonderful time chatting with old and new friends⌠the fashions, decorations and the food were delightful.â Over the past year, she also found things to love about the clubâs virtual events and regularly attends lectures, cooking and yoga classes and weekly meditation sessions â from her home! It Starts with Hello offers some of her favorite club events. âIt reminds me of the television show, Cheers, where everybody knows your name!â she grins. âWe meet at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are a variety of topics and guest speakers, and with the virtual events, I feel like the presenters are talking directly to me⌠I have the best seat in the house.â As far as being a senior goes, Rhogenia is living her best life and has some advice to help others do the same. âAs a senior, I have the time to explore and take advantage of the many opportunities available out there,â she says. âI live life in the present and to the fullest. I make the most of each day because tomorrow, it will be the past.â Rhogenia feels that the biggest challenges for seniors today are health and isolation, and wants people to know thereâs help if they need it. âSometimes we need a little help to make everyday activities a little easier, or just need a person to talk with,â she explains. âMy advice is never be too proud to ask for help with anything! Most people are glad to help or guide you to someone who will.â âLastly, to seniors, I would like to say this: Love yourself and make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time,â Rhogenia continues. âAnd give yourself a big hug!â The Sterling Silver Club thanks Rhogenia for dazzling us with her story, her friendship and her collaboration â and we send her and all of our members a âBIG hug.â
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Renown Health Food Pantry Nourishes Patients in Need
Unfortunately, many in our community go to bed hungry. Thanks to the support of the Food Bank of Northern NevadaâŻand other local partners, Renownâs food pantry is helping meet the food needs of homeless and low-income individuals in our community. Patients who qualify for the âFood is Medicine Prescriptionâ can receive a bag of food for themselves and each member of their immediate family every week through a free assistance program. This project started last year when Renown began giving food support to hospital and emergency room patients who expressed the need. Food is also given out at the Healthcare Center, which provides affordable access to care for anyone in our community. Those who receive care at the Healthcare Center are also eligible for food assistance. Working Alongside the Community After receiving food deliveries from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Renownâs community health team collects an assortment of fresh produce, donated from local grocery stores and other community organizations. Then they put together one bag for each family filled with healthy foods, such as: Whole grain cereals Shelf stable milk Kid-friendly snacks (granola bars, popcorn, graham crackers Proteins (low-salt soups, stews, peanut butter) Seasonal produce Food is Medicine Prescriptions Continue Amidst the Pandemic Throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Renownâs community health workers have been working remotely. They continue to reach out to patients who need groceries from the Food is Medicine Prescription program. With this in mind, the food pantry staff is currently coordinating outpatient deliveries to those with a Food is Medicine Prescription. At present, Renown is working to get more refrigeration, shelving and staffing to expand the service to more Renown Medical Group patients in need of food.
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Healthy Zucchini Manicotti
Often, when we think of Italian dishes, we think of pasta. In fact, there are more than 600 different pasta shapes, each holding the task of delivering Italyâs flavors. While we all crave pasta, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a cup of pasta shells contains about 166 calories, 6 grams of protein and 32 grams of carbohydrates. When you add all the other comforting ingredients that comes with cooking Italian, itâs nearly impossible to keep it healthy. Caitlin Bus, Registered Dietitian with the Renown Healthy Heart Program shares a healthier version of an Italian favorite âdeconstructed manicotti using zucchini as a substitute for noodles. If youâre looking for a healthier Italian dish and wondering how to use a spiralizer to turn vegetables into noodles, this recipe is for you.
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Department Spotlight: Hospital Care Management
Navigating care through the hospital system can be a daunting task for any patient. When faced with a difficult diagnosis or a complex healthcare journey, patients hope for, and deserve, the gold standard of support in helping them get connected with the resources, counseling, follow-up care and action plan to Fight the Good Fight. That hope quickly turns into reality and relief when the case managers and social workers at Renown Health step in to help. Renownâs Hospital Care Management department consists of caring, compassionate case managers and social workers who are the ultimate welfare protectors. By tapping into the needs of every patient and bridging any needs gaps with the resources they need, these team members move mountains to ensure every case results in the best possible outcomes. Your In-House Patient & Family Liaisons Whether they are providing therapeutic services to patients experiencing behavioral health issues, referring patients in addiction recovery to resources to aid in their recovery process or guiding a patient with cancer through the complicated care process, our case managers and social workers ensure patients and family members stay on course throughout their healthcare journey from beginning to end. âOur department has teams that cover all areas of the hospital, including the emergency department,â said Mary Matteoni, LSW, Director of Hospital Care Management at Renown Health. âWe see all-aged patients, ranging from NICU babies and families to those experiencing the last moments of their life (and everyone in between).â âAll of our cases start in the prevention, or pre-acute, phase and continue through the healthcare continuum,â added Alma Yanez, DNP, Manager of Hospital Care Management at Renown Health. âWe are here to partner with patients and families, helping them assess, plan, implement and evaluate options of care and services to meet everyoneâs needs.â These team members are your go-to counselors, crisis interventionists, community resource referrers, and most of all, patient advocates. When patients need a leader to follow if confronted with an intimidating hospital stay or life-altering diagnosis, our experienced Hospital Care Management department gladly steps in to be that support system, easing fears and anxieties along the way. Providing optimal care and guidance is par for the course for this team. "We help patients understand confusing diagnoses, arrange rehab and other post-hospital supports, help families understand how they can best support a loved one facing a ânew normalâ, navigate end-of-life decisions and so much more,â said Abbie Smith, LSW, MSW, Social Work Care Coordinator at Renown Health.   This department also serves as Renownâs discharge experts. Our case managers and social workers facilitate appropriate length-of-stay and work around the clock to arrange services for patients as they acclimate back home. âReviewing each patientâs medical records to ensure every resource and section of care is delivered at the right time is crucial,â said Alma Yanez. âPatients depend on us to use the best judgment when it comes to cost-effective outcomes and the planning and execution of their care after they leave our hospital.â Expert care coordination, health resource referrals, therapeutic services, workshop facilitation, healthcare financial liaising, crisis support, staff training...a better question for this department might be, âwhat donât they do?â These team members are proud âdo-it-all-ers.â âOur team is proudest of being a support to our patients and their families, as well as the positive impact our work has during traumatic and difficult times in peopleâs lives,â said Abbie Smith. âEverything is âFigure Out-able'â Those are the wise words said by Abbie Smith, LSW, MSW and emphasized by her entire team. No case is too complex for our Hospital Care Management department, yet every case poses great rewards for both the providers and the patients. âI love being a social worker for Renown, as every day is filled with new and diverse situations,â said Abbie Smith. âAs the social worker assigned to the trauma intensive care unit, my experiences at Renown are challenging but very rewarding. I have the privilege of helping victims of traumatic situations get the social, emotional, psychological and medical assistance they need to help recover from their experience.â  Every team member in the Hospital Care Management department leads with the utmost care and concern for every single patient and their families, leveraging compassionate communication techniques every step of the way. âFor so many patients, they are admitted to the hospital and receive life-changing news,â said Mary Matteoni, LSW. âOur department is the one to answer questions like âwhat do I do now?â or âhow am I going to get through this?â Our team members are experts in their field, and they have a unique holistic lens into the patientâs situation. They spend time learning about the patientâs experiences and circumstances before they were admitted and navigate the next steps of what their new reality means. We spend countless hours ensuring each patient has the resources needed to be successful upon discharge.â âI always ask open-ended questions to help reduce my patientsâ fears, such as, âHow are you feeling?â or âWhat can I do?ââ added Abbie Smith. âWe listen to learn more about the individualâs unique circumstances so we can offer appropriate support and guidance.â Compassionate communication is especially important when our case managers and social workers approach terminal illness, palliative care options and end-of-life conversations with patients and families. While never easy, these team members always lead with empathy. âEnd-of-life conversations, which I help facilitate, frequently occur in the ICU,â said Abbie Smith. âWhen needed, I help families work through painful, initial moments of grief after losing a loved one.â  Each social worker and case manager takes any opportunity to lessen patient stress, which can make all the difference in the end. âPatients and families look to us for comfort and support, and we are proud to be a source of solace for them,â said Kami Price, LSW, Supervisor of Social Services at Renown Health. âNo matter how complicated the case is, we are always there to guide them through what may otherwise be a daunting journey.â Now Hiring: Holiday Heroes Needed This dynamic department is expanding! This team is seeking case managers and social workers in a wide variety of disciplines, including behavioral health, oncology and chronic care management. From social work bachelorâs and masterâs students looking for an enriching entry-level opportunity to highly experienced case managers seeking to make a genuine difference, the Hospital Care Management department is the team for you. âOur team consists of some of those kindhearted and thoughtful individuals Iâve ever worked with,â said Alma Yanez, DNP. âThose attributes are vital to ensuring a positive patient experience, especially as we help them navigate a complicated and intimidating healthcare journey.â âRespect and compassion are also required characteristics to work in social services,â added Abbie Smith, LSW, MSW. âHaving respect for our patients, their personal information and challenges is essential. Social workers interact with highly diverse populations, and it is imperative to keep an open mind and seek understanding of patientsâ unique situations.â The holiday season can be especially difficult for many patients and families dealing with a difficult diagnosis or facing a long hospital stay. Thatâs why we need social work and case management heroes more than ever this time of year. Giving a patient and family the gift of support can be one of the greatest gifts of all. âI strongly believe that Case Management/Social Services often gets to be the light in many dark moments,â said Mary Matteoni, LSW. âI have a great passion for the work that is done in Hospital Care Management and am so proud of the team we have built and the work they do daily. We are a team of laughter, enjoyment and solid expertise in our work.â Itâs time to ask yourself: are you ready to change the lives of patients and families?
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Meditation: Give Yourself the Gift of Inner Peace
As we enter the holiday season, many of us are beginning to plan and partake in festivities such as shopping, cooking, baking, holiday parties and family gatherings. While the holidays often bring joy and cheer, the hustle and bustle can also lead to fatigue, stress, anxiety and sometimes depression. To avoid holiday burnout, itâs important to find ways to care for yourself mentally and physically. Galen Gorelangton, the facilitator of Renownâs Heartfulness Meditation program, discusses how yoga and meditation can benefit you. What is yoga and meditation? Yoga is defined as performing a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind. As you move through poses that require balance and concentration, you're encouraged to focus less on your busy day and more on the moment. Meditation involves focusing or clearing your mind using a combination of mental and physical techniques. While there are many different types of meditation and yoga practices, they both share similar benefits including: Reduced stress Lower blood pressure Decreased anxiety and depression Increased energy Better sleep Lower inflammation and pain levels Improved strength, balance and flexibility Better focus and concentration And much more!
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