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Do You Resolve to Lose Weight and Live Healthier? Here's How.
Weight loss and healthier living tend to top most people’s lists of New Year’s Resolutions. So if you’re like the vast majority, here’s help — a comprehensive look at all of Renown Health’s programs that will help you lose weight and tackle metabolic challenges. Quick quiz: How many of the following apply to you? You have a need to lose weight, but you haven’t been guided on how to make sustainable change; You’re experienced a recent rapid weight gain, but lab tests didn’t reflect a change in your health; You’ve experienced a life-changing event that caused weight gain; You have problems with where you are carrying your weight, such as your mid-section; You’ve tried other weight loss programs, but they didn’t work. If you found yourself nodding in agreement to any one of the above statements, Renown’s programs can help. They cover the spectrum of helping with weight or metabolism challenges. But the million dollar question is: Where do you start? How to Lose Weight and Live Healthier Ideally, it’s best to start by talking with your primary care provider. Your provider knows your medical history and concerns related to your health. Talk to your provider about your past history with weight loss and gain. Your primary care provider will assist with the referral process and provide you with options you might not considered on your own. Most importantly, by starting with your primary care provider, you can take full advantage of all your health benefits. Renown offers four weight loss/management programs: Medical Nutrition Therapy Meet one-on-one with a Registered Dietitian at Renown’s Health Improvement Program to discuss your health goals. You may qualify for this program if you have: Heart or kidney disease Gastrointestinal issues Weight gain or weight loss Food allergies or sensitivities High blood pressure or high cholesterol A thyroid condition Diabetes – classes available, including: Type 2 Diabetes, insulin and gestational diabetes management during pregnancy (Offered in English & also in Spanish). For more information, call 775-982-5073. Medical Weight Management This program includes a one-on-one appointment with a board-certified bariatric doctor. You will receive a comprehensive evaluation and customized treatment plan to meet your needs and medically manage your overweight or metabolic challenges. Treatment options in this program may include nutrition changes, meal replacements, medication, exercises and also behavioral therapy. Here are a few qualifications for the program: A BMI of 25 or higher and health risk such as Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, stroke, gout, osteoarthritis, infertility or polycystic ovarian syndrome A BMI of 30 and higher A metabolic problem such as diabetes, fatty liver and is not responding to regular medical care. Those with a metabolic problem may be considered normal weight, however may need to lose fat mass or reduce their waist size to get healthier. An increased risk of heart disease, stroke or Type 2 diabetes, regardless of weight that is not responding to regular medical care. For more information, call 775-982-5073. Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery We understand that the desire to have bariatric surgery is a choice you are making for your long-term health. Our team provides education on the necessary steps before, during and after surgery to ensure you are successful in controlling your obesity. You may qualify for this program if you have: A BMI of 40 or more, or: A BMI of 35 to 39.9 with significant health problems such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes or diagnosed arthritis To learn more, visit our Bariatric Surgery. You may also attend one of our monthly Weight Loss Surgery Seminars to learn if you are a candidate. Dietary Consultation at Renown Medical Group Many people aren’t aware that you can schedule short, frequent visits with a registered dietitian at Renown Medical Group locations in Reno or Sparks. Telehealth is also available at the Renown Medical Group – Fernley. Qualifications include: A BMI of 30 or greater You have a primary care provider with Renown Medical Group Medicare or Senior Care Plus member Since this program is only offered through Renown Medical Group, you must be an established patient. To establish with a primary care provider, call 775-982-5000. Talk to your primary care provider to see if you qualify for one of Renown’s weight management programs. Going through the referral process is the best way to ensure you are taking full advantage of your health benefits.
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Dietitans' Top Advice to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
The weight gain struggle is real with tempting holiday celebrations and treats. It’s hard to focus on nutrition with social events, shopping and a hectic schedule. And no one wants to diet during the holidays. Renown Health Registered Dietitians Kim Colegrove and Bristy Zimmerman, share their tips below for enjoying the holiday season without packing on extra pounds. Your holiday nutrition strategy doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Instead, Colegrove and Zimmerman emphasize realistic approaches to keep weight gain in check during the holidays. Plan Ahead to Avoid Weight Gain “Thinking ahead is key for staying on track with your weight and health goals,” says Colegrove. “Arranging to have a healthy snack ahead of time is a good idea to avoid overeating at parties. You could also bring a healthy dish to the party, then you know there’s at least one option that will fit into your meal plan. Or you might also think about eating some of your favorite party foods, but then consider the rest of your week and balance it out accordingly. All foods can fit! It’s all about balance and portion control.” Keep Moving Your Body Colegrove also urges us to stay active. “There are so many benefits of exercise! Besides aiding in weight management, physical activity can boost our mood and help us to cope with stress. For many, the holidays can be a very busy and stressful time, which may contribute to overeating and weight gain. So keep up the routine! Exercise is a vital tool in maintaining weight and managing stress, especially during the holiday season.” Slow Down and Be Satisfied “Slowing down at any meal, including the holidays, can help us pay attention to our satiety or fullness cues,” encourages Zimmerman. “Try putting your fork down between each bite of food, focus on chewing eat bite thoroughly and stop eating when you feel satisfied rather than eating to the point of discomfort.” Divide Your Plate to Conquer Weight Gain Traditional holiday foods tend to be high in calories from added fat and sugar, so it’s extra important to be mindful of our portions. Zimmerman suggests an easy visual cue. “First, try filling half of a 9-inch plate with lower-calorie foods like non-starchy veggies or salad. Secondly, fill a quarter of your plate with a meat or protein-rich food. Then save the remaining quarter of your plate (about the size of your fist) for the higher-calorie carbohydrate foods like mashed potatoes, stuffing, or cornbread. If you want to enjoy several of these foods, just make the portions small enough to still fit in that quarter of your plate.” Liquid Calories Count “Still or sparkling water will always be the best beverage choice when avoiding weight gain,” advises Zimmerman. “If you really enjoy holiday beverages, try modifying your favorite recipes by using low-fat milk or alternative sweeteners. Be mindful that calories from sweetened beverages and alcohol can add up fast. For example, if you usually enjoy several drinks at a holiday party, even reducing from three drinks to one drink can save significant calories.” You can set yourself up for success in the new year by having an eating game plan. “It’s important to be realistic about the holidays. They only come once a year, and they should be enjoyed! But plan ahead and find a good balance,” urges Colegrove. “Going into the holidays, it’s important to anticipate temptations and be prepared at social events. Don’t let the holiday season derail your efforts and enjoy in moderation!”
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Avoid Viruses, Colds and the Flu With Expert Hand-Washing Advice
Can you really avoid colds, flu and viruses with simple hand-washing? Amy McCombs, Renown’s director of Infection Prevention, shares how to stay healthy with this very simple practice. Shaking hands, turning doorknobs, drafting emails — all regular activities of everyday life. But whenever you touch another person, or touch an object another person has touched, you’re collecting their germs on your hands. And touching your own mouth, eyes or nose also exposes you to whatever germs you’ve collected. That makes hand-washing the most important step you can take to prevent illness and disease. And while that may seem like an obvious reminder, studies have found that 85 percent of people do not practice proper hand hygiene. We asked Amy McCombs, Renown’s director of Infection Prevention, to give us some hand-washing tips for a safer, healthier life. So what are the correct hand-washing steps? Wash for at least 20 seconds. The biggest thing to remember is to wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. A good rule to make sure you’re washing long enough is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice through. Get a good lather of soap going. It’s also important to get a nice lather of soap and make sure you wash between your finger, both the tops and palms of your hands and your nail beds. And if you wear jewelry, you need to remove it or make sure you get lather and friction underneath. Then rinse completely and dry. Is there a wrong way to wash your hands, or is it more about making sure you do it the right way? Honestly, it’s a little bit of both. There is a wrong way since 85 percent of us don’t wash correctly. This could be for a variety of reasons. It could be because you don’t wash long enough, don’t get in between your fingers, don’t clean your palms or don’t clean the tops of your hands. How frequently should we wash our hands? Are there certain times where it is more important than others? As most of us are taught as kids, you need to wash your hands before you eat or prepare foods, after you touch raw produce and meat and after you use the restroom. You should also wash your hands after sneezing or coughing, touching your eyes, nose and mouth or coming in contact with someone who is sick. Do you recommend hand-washing over hand sanitizer? Ideally, you should wash your hands instead of using hand sanitizer, but if sanitizer is all you have, then use it. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are best. Use about a nickel or quarter size and vigorously rub the tops of your hands, palms and in between your fingers until the sanitizer is completely dry. Remember that if your hands are physically dirty, or if you’ve come in contact with bodily fluids, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water instead of hand sanitizer. Does washing your hands really prevent illnesses like the cold, the flu and viruses? Definitely. The CDC recommends hand-washing as one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand-washing has been shown to reduce the number of people who get colds and respiratory illnesses by 21 percent. What else can I do to keep my family healthy? The annual flu vaccine is truly the best form of protection to help prevent the spread of the flu. Even if you do get the flu after being vaccinated, your symptoms will be lessened. Although they are not substitutes for the flu vaccine, simple preventative action can do a lot to help slow the spread of the virus, including these: Wash your hands often Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands Avoid contact with people who are sick Stay home when you are sick Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve Other precautionary measures include cleaning shared spaces and avoiding shared utensils and drinks. Flu vaccines are still available in the community, including health providers at Renown Medical Group. Call 775-982-5000 to make an appointment. More Hand-Washing Information One of the best things you can do to avoid viruses, colds and the flu is to wash your hands. Protect yourself with even more hand-washing advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Roll Up Your Sleeves and Scrub Up!
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Atención de emergencia durante una pandemia
Medical emergencies like strokes and heart attacks still happen, even in a pandemic. That’s why Renown Health is always ready to provide emergency care to patients in need, and being admitted at Renown does not put patients at risk of getting COVID-19. When to Get Emergency Care Resources like Renown Virtual Visits have allowed us to stay home while making routine visits with our primary care physician. But, if you are feeling any of the following symptoms, please call 911 or have someone you know take you to the emergency room. Symptoms that may require emergency care: Heart attack Stroke symptoms Difficulty breathing Chest pain Seizure Sudden loss of consciousness Severe abdominal pain Serious allergic reaction Fighting the Good Fight for Our Patients Renown Health provides a clean and safe environment 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day. Alongside regular sanitation practices, Renown is dedicated to protecting patients from infectious disease while providing emergency care. Staff, Care Providers and Visitors Wear Masks Every staff member, care provider and visitor is wearing a mask. Additionally, providers are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on wearing protective equipment, such as masks and gloves. Respiratory Illness Screenings for Everyone Care providers and staff members are participating in respiratory illness screenings. Therefore, any care provider or staff member with a fever, cough, difficulty breathing or severe respiratory illness is not on a Renown campus. Visitor Restrictions are in Place Visitor restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of infectious disease by practicing physical distance. Because of these restrictions, Renown is only allowing one visitor per patient for with extenuating circumstances. Staying healthy and safe means caring for yourself in emergency situations, too. Please do not hesitate to call 911 when you or a loved one are in need of emergency medical care. Virtually Visit a Renown Urgent Care Login to MyChart to “get in line” for a virtual urgent care visit between 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Login to MyChart
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El Papel de los Ginecólogos Obstetras en la Atención de la Salud de la Mujer
Obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) see patients from menses (the monthly menstrual cycle that occurs as a part of the female reproductive system), pregnancy and childbirth through menopause and play a pivotal role in managing reproductive health and overall wellness. Dr. James Alexander with Renown Women's Health explains. "As experts in women's health, we are uniquely positioned to recognize subtle changes or symptoms that might indicate broader health issues. This comprehensive approach allows us to serve as a valuable first touchpoint for various health concerns." Preventive Screenings: A Proactive Approach One key aspect is an OBGYN's ability to recommend preventive screenings based on your symptoms, age, lifestyle and medical history. For instance, lipid screenings are critical for monitoring cholesterol levels, which can be a significant factor in women’s heart disease. An OBGYN keeps up with the current guidelines for routine screening as well as in women with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease during your visit. By identifying risks and abnormal screening early, they can collaborate with you to implement lifestyle changes or treatments to reduce your risk of heart conditions. Schedule Your Screening Appointment Make an Appointment by Phone: 775-982-5000
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Understanding the Reasons Behind Heavy Menstrual Cycles
While menstrual cycles can be an annoying inconvenience for many women, heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) is not normal and can disrupt your life. A few days of heavy flow at the start of your period is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you’re frequently experiencing very heavy periods, you should discuss it with your gynecologist or primary care provider. Dr. Megan Fish, an OB-GYN with Renown Women’s Health, discusses various reasons, evaluation and treatment methods when it comes to heavy menstrual cycles. What is classified as heavy menstrual bleeding? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists considers heavy bleeding to be any of the following signs: Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row. Needing to wear more than one pad at a time to control menstrual flow. Needing to change pads or tampons during the night. Menstrual flow with blood clots that are as big as a quarter or larger. What are the most common reasons for heavier periods? A variety of reasons why someone might have heavy periods. Fortunately, most of these problems are treatable. Because each woman's period is unique, only a doctor can definitively determine the cause of your heavy periods. Some of the most common issues that cause heavy periods include: Hormone imbalances such as anovulation, thyroid disease and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Structural abnormalities in your uterus such as polyps or fibroids. Precancer and cancer such as uterine, cervical, vaginal, ovarian or endometrial hyperplasia. Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, endometritis or vaginitis. Other medical conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Medications such as blood thinners and aspirin, hormone replacement therapy, Intrauterine devices (IUDs), birth control pills and injectables. Pregnancy-related problems such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
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¿El mejor regalo? ¡Una familia totalmente vacunada!
Renown se une al Distrito de Salud del Condado de Washoe para ofrecer vacunas contra la COVID-19 a niños de entre 5 y 11 años en clínicas de vacunación. Renown Health se asocia con el Distrito de Salud del Condado de Washoe para ayudar a distribuir los suministros inicialmente disponibles y limitados de una dosis apropiada según la edad de las vacunas de Pfizer-BioNTech contra la COVID-19 a niños de entre 5 y 11 años. En este momento, todos los residentes mayores de 5 años son elegibles para recibir una vacuna. Renown anunció hoy que para los padres o tutores que tienen acceso a la aplicación MyChart de Renown como representantes de sus hijos, ahora hay disponibles citas de vacunación para niños de entre 5 y 11 años. Cuando se reciban los suministros, Renown espera poder vacunar a 1,600 niños con la serie de dos dosis en una cantidad limitada de centros de fin de semana. At this time, due to limited supplies, no vaccines for children are available through Renown Medical Group pediatric offices. Vaccine appointments may only be scheduled through the Renown MyChart app; please do not contact a Renown doctor/health care provider or the Engagement Center at this time. There is no cost to establish a Renown MyChart account, and you do not need to have a Renown provider to enroll. Para obtener asistencia técnica para MyChart, llame al 775-982-2781. Renown is covering all costs of the vaccine, and it is offered free of charge. “As a pediatrician, an intensive care physician, a public health practitioner and a grandparent, I encourage parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 now. No child should suffer, be hospitalized or die from a disease that can prevented by simply getting a shot,” says Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO of Renown Health. “We remain steadfast in fighting the good fight for our community, and that includes protecting kids. Being able to serve kids and their parents, with the only Children’s Hospital in northern Nevada, and being able to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children is incredibly gratifying for our team. This vaccine will prevent deaths, ICU admissions and will prevent significant long-term adverse outcomes in children." “I tell parents, get your kids vaccinated now- because every kid is at risk,” says Kristina Deeter, M.D., MBA, Pediatric Intensivist, and Vice Chair of Pediatrics at Renown Children’s Hospital. “Please get your family- including your kids, vaccinated now to keep your family safe. Being fully vaccinated and being able to hug Grandma and Grandpa at the holidays may be the greatest gift of all this holiday season.” “Los CDC recomiendan que todas las personas mayores de 5 años reciban una vacuna contra la COVID-19 para ayudar a protegerse de la COVID-19. Widespread vaccination for COVID-19 is a critical tool to protect everyone, especially those at highest risk, from severe illness and death. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only option currently authorized for children,” says Vanessa Slots, MD, a pediatrician with Renown Children’s. “It was found to give kids strong protection against COVID-19, including against the Delta variant. Children who are vaccinated may have some side effects (chills, redness and swelling at site injection), which are normal signs that their body is building protection.” Children are advised not to receive the vaccine if: • They are ill at the time of vaccination (fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea or acute illness). • se les ha diagnosticado COVID-19 en los 14 días anteriores; • They have a history of significant allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Visite renown.org para obtener más información.
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Renown Thanks Community as COVID-19 Drive-Thru Ends
Después de administrar más de 73,000 vacunas de primera y segunda dosis a nuestra comunidad, el equipo de vacunación de Renown concluirá sus esfuerzos en el centro de vacunación al paso de Renown a finales de este mes. Renown Health has been pleased to work with the Washoe County Health District, the state, and the CDC to distribute the limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. Los líderes de la fuerza de trabajo que administra las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en Renown anunciaron hoy que el miércoles, 12 de mayo de 2021 será el último día en que la organización administrará la primera dosis de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 a los miembros de la comunidad en la clínica de vacunación al paso. La clínica de vacunas de Renown permanecerá abierta hasta que todas las personas que reciban su primera dosis de la vacuna a través de Renown tengan la oportunidad de recibir su segunda dosis. Hasta la fecha, el equipo de vacunas de Renown ha administrado más de 73,000 dosis 1 y 2 a miembros del personal médico, empleados de Renown, estudiantes, voluntarios y miembros de la comunidad elegibles. “It has been an honor assisting our local and statewide health partners in the herculean feat of vaccinating the hundreds of thousands of area residents excited to receive the vaccine,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President and CEO of Renown Health. “As we conclude our efforts at our drive-thru vaccine clinic, we are glad to continue working closely with our community health leaders and be ready to assist once again should there be a need for our support in the future. We are proud to be part of the solution for our community and pleased to have made a genuine difference in the health and well-being of others throughout this unprecedented time in our history.” “Mientras miramos hacia un futuro mejor más allá de la pandemia, no podemos dejar de reflexionar sobre las más de 73,000 dosis de vacunas que nuestros equipos administraron a nuestra comunidad”, declaró Melodie Osborn, RN (enfermera certificada), directora de Enfermería y Calidad de Servicios de Salud en Renown. “From our nurses, pharmacists, security teams, public safety experts and countless volunteer staff, each dose of the vaccine was made possible—rain, snow or shine—by dedicated healthcare champions committed to the health and safety of northern Nevadans.” “We want to offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the public for placing their trust in Renown to receive their vaccines, and for their patience and support of this important work,” said Wendy Meyers, Manager of Health and Wellness at Hometown Health. “The masked smiles, emotional tears of gratitude and relief, heartfelt thanks, food deliveries and many other acts of kindness will forever hold a special place in our hearts.” Los miembros de la comunidad mayores de 16 años que aún estén interesados en recibir la vacuna de Pfizer en Renown el 12 de mayo están invitados a programar una cita a través de MyChart; se aceptarán visitas sin cita desde las 12 p. m. hasta las 2 p.m. Los menores de 16 y 17 años deben estar acompañados por su padre, madre o tutor para recibir la vacuna. Para obtener asistencia, llame al 775-982-2781. To schedule your COVID-19 appointment in Washoe County outside of Renown, please visit covid19washoe.com. Renown will continue providing ongoing updates to help keep our community safe on our website at covid.renown.org. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Clinical institutes include; Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath and Neurosciences. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Para obtener más información, visite renown.org.
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Combating Burnout for a Healthier Work Environment
At Renown Health, we often discuss the importance of both healthcare – how we treat people when they are sick or injured – and health – how we keep people well in their mind, body and spirit. This conversation is as important for the patients we serve as it is for our healthcare providers. It’s well known that the medical field can impose challenging and even unhealthy expectations for healthcare workers. Long hours and physically and emotionally demanding work can lead to burnout. Yet, until recently, these issues were rarely discussed openly. Because the role of healthcare providers is to care for other people, they may feel uncomfortable asking for help themselves. The good news is that more and more physicians and professional associations are talking about burnout. Hospitals are also taking action to address concerns like mental and emotional fatigue. We need our workforce to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. That’s why we support our team by educating them on the warning signs of burnout. Renown Health also trains management-level employees to care for those who need help. We encourage employees to talk openly about these challenges and encourage them to access the many services available to our employees that can help them live well. Caring for people is central to Renown Health’s mission. We believe this applies to both our patients and our teammates.
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Sepsis: Causes & Symptoms
According to the Global Sepsis Alliance, 1 in 5 deaths worldwide are associated with sepsis. If not recognized early and treated promptly, sepsis is the final common pathway to death from most infectious diseases worldwide, including viruses such as COVID-19. We spoke with Jeremy Gonda, MD, a critical care physician from Renown Health’s Sepsis Committee to increase public awareness of this preventable medical emergency. What is sepsis? Sepsis is a response to infection—bacterial, viral or fungal—and can start anywhere in the body and spread into the bloodstream. The body is trying so hard to fight an infection that it begins releasing chemicals into the bloodstream that cause inflammation and the shutdown of multiple organ systems. “It carries a very poor prognosis in general unless you catch and treat it very early,” said Dr. Gonda. “Any infection can lead to sepsis. Typically your immune system takes care of the infection. It doesn’t progress, but in cases where the infection becomes severe, or the immune system doesn’t function properly, people can certainly die. So there’s, unfortunately, a very high mortality rate associated with sepsis.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year at least 1.7 million adults in America develop sepsis. While you can recover from sepsis if caught early, many sepsis survivors suffer from long-term physical and psychological effects. What are the signs of sepsis? One way to spot sepsis is to use the acronym SEPSIS: S – Slurred speech and confusion E – Extreme shivering or muscle pain/fever P – Passing no urine all day S – Severe breathlessness I – “I feel like I might die” S – Skin mottled or discolored Keep in mind that sepsis symptoms can vary depending on where the infection starts. “Patients may experience urinary burning if they have a urinary tract infection or a cough and shortness of breath if they have pneumonia first,” said Dr. Gonda. “However, often symptoms are more generalized or subtle such as fevers, confusion and malaise.” How do you develop sepsis? When germs enter your body, they can cause an infection. If you don’t stop that infection, it can cause sepsis. Areas of infection that more commonly result in sepsis include: Lungs, such as pneumonia Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system Digestive system Bloodstream (bacteremia) Catheter sites Wounds or burns Who is most at risk? People with compromised immune systems are at greater risk for sepsis, such as “The very young, the elderly and any people who may have conditions that suppress your immune system,” said Dr. Gonda. “For instance, if you have diabetes or if you’re an organ transplant patient who is on immunosuppressant therapy, you’re at somewhat higher risk.” Sepsis is often considered a hospital-acquired infection, but a study in The Journal of American Medical Association found that 80% of sepsis cases occur outside of a hospital. That’s why it’s especially important to remember any infection can lead to sepsis, and anyone can develop sepsis from an infection. What do I do? Timing is critical in the case of sepsis and septic shock. According to a study on septic shock patients, there is a 7.6 percent decrease in survival for each hour treatment is delayed. On the other end, if treatment is given within an hour of the first drop in blood pressure, the survival rate is 80 percent. Because sepsis can be so deadly, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. “If you’re not getting any better, if you think symptoms are progressively worsening – you should definitely be evaluated by a doctor,” said Dr. Gonda. You can help #StopSepsis by getting involved at worldsepsisday.org.
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First COVID-19 Vaccines Administered to Physicians Today
This week, many of the nation’s health care systems in communities across the U.S. began vaccinating physicians and health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19. Many of these health care heroes have been on the front-line of this pandemic and working around-the clock over the last ten months. Las vacunas son una señal de esperanza para el futuro Aquí, en el condado de Washoe, hoy marca el muy deseado inicio de lo que los expertos en salud pública y medicina esperan que sea una ola nacional de vacunas que señale el comienzo del final de la pandemia de la COVID-19. La buena noticia de hoy de Renown coincidió con un nuevo hito negativo para el condado de Washoe: 384 muertes por COVID-19 confirmadas y más de 13,579 casos activos en una población de casi 500,000 personas. COVID-19 positivity test results and hospitalizations continue to be high across the country, our state and here in northern Nevada; straining hospital capacity, physicians and healthcare workers. Today we saw a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel. Renown began vaccinating health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19, and invited media to view the first vaccinations of those on the front-line of COVID-19. One vaccine, a Herculean effort of thousands “Although the vaccination process as you see it here looks relatively simple, it took a herculean logistical effort to implement the COVID-19 vaccination process that has begun today,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Today, thanks to the synchronized efforts of thousands of people and organizations across the country, we give thanks for this vaccination provided to Luis Martinez, an excellent ambassador for the thousands of healthcare heroes caring for patients with COVID-19. The health and safety of our staff is our top priority, and we remain steadfast in our determination to fight the good fight for our community.” Luis, on the front-line of the COVID-19 pandemic, receives 1st vaccine from Renown Luis Martinez received the 1st of his Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration last week. Recibirá la segunda y última vacuna de la serie en 21 días. La primera dosis de la vacuna se le administró a Luis fuera de su vehículo para que las cámaras pudieran capturar la experiencia. El proceso de vacunación contra la COVID-19 de Renown incluye programar previamente a médicos y empleados mediante el registro médico electrónico EPIC MyChart que usa Renown. Employees are masked, and in their personal vehicles, as they drive through the vaccination site. Each physician and healthcare worker provides their verification, identification, documentation and consent. They then extend their upper arm to receive the Pfizer vaccination. Following the receipt of the vaccination they have a 15-minute observation period to assure they do not experience any immediate side effects. These Tier 1A healthcare employees were encouraged to schedule their vaccination after their completed work schedule to have time to rest. As with all vaccinations, there is a potential for injection site reactions (redness, swelling and pain) as well as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and/or joint pain. Fever is not an infrequent side effect, especially on the 2nd dose, so these vaccinated employees will self-monitor their temperatures, as they cannot work at Renown with a fever. Además de Luis, verá, primero en su camión el Dr. Bret Frey, que representa al personal médico y a los médicos de emergentología de Renown; el enfermero Matt Polak, supervisor de Enfermería Clínica de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Respiratorios de Renown; Holly Irwin, terapeuta clínica de enfermedades respiratorias en su vehículo; Alexis Bertauche, especialista en enfermedades respiratorias en su vehículo; Eric Whitney, el supervisor que representa a los 168 miembros del equipo de Servicios Ambientales de Renown que han implementado grandes medidas de desinfección durante toda la pandemia; médicos representantes de socios de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNR, de la Reno Orthopedic Clinic, del Surgery Center of Reno y de toda la comunidad. Un futuro más prometedor para Luis Luis ha estado trabajando en el Renown’s Alternate Care Site, en la estructura de estacionamiento de Mill Street desde que se inauguró para atender pacientes a mediados de noviembre. Ha estado en Renown desde 2016, donde comenzó como flebotomista y lo alentaron a seguir una carrera profesional en el campo de la medicina. He applied to work as a technician on Renown’s Clinical Decision Unit- a short stay unit within the hospital for people who need clinical care, but do not need to be admitted to the hospital. Luis worked with patients and clinicians in the Clinical Decision Unit for a year before requesting to work in Renown’s innovative Alternate Care Site, built for patients recovering from COVID-19, for additional care before they returned home. Luis was scheduled to take the Medical College Admission Test® in April of this year to fulfill his dreams of becoming a doctor, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to change his plans. He plans to reschedule his medical school admission exam in February. He is excited to begin his training, possibly at UNR School of Medicine, and hopes one day to be a physician caring competently and compassionately for those in need. Luis has so much to look forward to, after such a difficult year. Luis cumplió 33 años en octubre y, en su cumpleaños, se contagió de COVID-19 después de asistir a una fiesta familiar. He experienced fever and noticed how dramatically the COVID-19 virus affected his breathing, his lungs, and his energy level. After spending time at home recovering, Luis recovered, tested negative, and returned to work. Como resultado de su experiencia y su interés en la medicina, Luis ha investigado mucho sobre la vacuna. Luis es bilingüe y es voluntario de CARE Chest de Sierra Nevada, una organización sin fines de lucro que proporciona equipos y suministros médicos, y asistencia con recetas de forma gratuita a poblaciones marginadas, cuando no trabaja en Renown. La vacuna: una herramienta más para ayudar a combatir la pandemia: “La mejor protección contra la COVID-19 será una combinación de vacunarse contra la COVID-19, usar mascarilla, mantenerse al menos a 6 pies de distancia de otras personas, evitar las multitudes y lavarse las manos con frecuencia”, dice Amy McCombs, máster en enfermería, enfermera certificada, CCRN, CNML, vicepresidenta de Calidad de Servicios Agudos de Renown y líder en el esfuerzo de vacunación de Renown. “No one tool alone will stop this pandemic, it will take a combination of all of us using all of these efforts to fight the spread of this virus. Though there has been positive news about vaccine development, no one knows when those vaccines will be ready for widespread use. In the meantime, everyone must remain vigilant, take precautions and follow public health orders.” “This vaccination is a game-changer in terms of improving the health of our community,” said Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, Chief Medical Officer, Acute Services, Renown Health. "Given the demands of this COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be able to provide this vaccination to help in the fight. We will follow CDC recommendations for a tiered approach to vaccine distribution. Our goal is that by spring, all Renown physicians; employees and their family members; and all Hometown Health members and Renown patients interested in receiving the vaccine will have an opportunity to be vaccinated.” The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for all Renown employees, but is strongly advised. Renown is covering all costs of the vaccine, and it is being offered free of charge to employees. Regístrese en Renown EPIC MyChart ahora. Para simplificar el proceso de notificación, consentimiento, programación y recordatorio para la distribución de vacunas, y para publicar en el sistema estatal de información de inmunización Web IZ de Nevada, las personas que estén interesadas en recibir la vacuna a través de Renown tendrán que registrarse y obtener una cuenta EPIC MyChart. Manténgase actualizado sobre la COVID-19 Renown Health está preparada para evaluar, diagnosticar y atender de manera segura a pacientes con enfermedad respiratoria, incluida la COVID-19. Para mantenerse actualizado sobre las comunicaciones relacionadas con la distribución de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 por parte de Renown, las preguntas frecuentes y la evidencia científica detrás de la vacuna, visite https://covid.renown.org/ Únase al equipo de Renown Renown Health continúa comprometido con la contratación de personas para ocupar puestos clave en la organización para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Para unirse a la familia de Renown y luchar por la causa justa, postule en línea en https://careers.renown.org/ Apoye al equipo de Renown Renown Health, una organización benéfica sin fines de lucro, está muy agradecida por el apoyo de la comunidad durante estos momentos sin precedentes. Para donar a pacientes o proveedores de Renown, visite https://www.renown.org/donations-covid-19/. About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown es uno de los mayores empleadores privados de la región y cuenta con una fuerza laboral de más de 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. Visite renown.org para obtener más información. About the Washoe County Health District The Washoe County Health District has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.
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Final Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines Administered to Renown Physicians
Renown Health is working with the Washoe County Health District (WCHD), the state, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to distribute the initially available, limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. Because there may be limited supply, the vaccine continues to be distributed in a tiered approach. Today, the light at the end of the tunnel shined brighter than ever as many of Renown’s Tier 1A recipients received their second and final doses. Please see B-roll from today's event and photos, B-roll and interviews from the first event here. An important pandemic milestone “The health and safety of our staff is our top priority, and we remain steadfast in our determination to fight the good fight for our community. Administration of the final doses of the vaccine is an important pandemic milestone as it brings an overwhelming sense of hope and relief to all of us at Renown,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Los héroes de la atención médica que recibieron la vacuna hoy han estado luchando contra esta pandemia en las primeras líneas y han trabajado sin descanso durante los últimos 11 meses para mantener a nuestra comunidad segura. It’s reassuring knowing they have an added, strong layer of protection, so they can focus their efforts on putting an end to this long and difficult battle.” Today, Renown healthcare workers received the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration last month. Esta dosis, que se administra 21 días después de la primera, marca la dosis final de la serie de vacunación. Muchos empleados de Renown también han recibido la vacuna de Moderna, cuyas segundas dosis se administrarán después de los 28 días. Los entresijos de la administración de la vacuna El proceso de vacunación contra la COVID-19 de Renown incluye la programación por parte de los médicos y empleados a través del registro médico electrónico EPIC MyChart que utiliza Renown. Employees are masked, and in their personal vehicles, as they drive through the vaccination site at Hometown Health. Each physician and healthcare worker provides their verification, identification, documentation and consent. They then extend their upper arm to receive the vaccination. Following the receipt of the vaccination, they have a 15-minute observation period to assure they do not experience any immediate side effects. Similar to receiving the first dose, these Tier 1A healthcare employees were encouraged to schedule their vaccination after their completed work schedule to have time to rest. As with all vaccinations, there is a potential for injection site reactions (redness, swelling and pain) as well as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and/or joint pain. Fever is not an infrequent side effect, especially on the second dose, so these vaccinated employees will self-monitor their temperatures, as they cannot work at Renown with a fever. Renown invited media to help commemorate this triumphant vaccination event. Present during today’s event were- Dr. Bret Frey, representing the Medical Staff and Emergency Medicine physicians at Renown; Dr. Jacob Keeperman, Medical Director, Renown Regional Transfer and Operations Center representing physicians in Renown’s Intensive Care Unit; and Holly Irwin, a Clinical Respiratory Therapist. La vacuna: una herramienta más para ayudar a combatir la pandemia “La mejor protección contra la COVID-19 será una combinación de medidas, como vacunarse contra la COVID-19, usar mascarilla, mantenerse al menos a 6 pies de distancia de otras personas, evitar las multitudes y lavarse las manos con frecuencia”, explica Amy McCombs, MSN (máster en enfermería), RN (enfermera certificada), CCRN (enfermera registrada de cuidado intensivo), CNML (gerente de enfermería certificada y líder), vicepresidenta de Calidad de Servicios Agudos en Renown y defensora del esfuerzo de vacunación en Renown. “No one tool alone will stop this pandemic, it will take a combination of all of us using all of these efforts to fight the spread of this virus. We are getting closer to widespread vaccine development every day; however, until then, everyone must remain vigilant, take precautions and follow public health orders.” “This vaccination is a game-changer in terms of improving the health of our community,” said Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, Chief Medical Officer, Acute Services, Renown Health. "Given the demands of this COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be able to provide second doses of this vaccination to help in the fight. We continue to follow CDC recommendations for a tiered approach to vaccine distribution. Our goal is that by spring, all Renown physicians; employees and their family members; and all Hometown Health members and Renown patients interested in receiving the vaccine will have an opportunity to be vaccinated.” The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for all Renown employees, but is strongly advised. Renown is covering all costs of the vaccine, and it is being offered free of charge to employees. Regístrese en Renown EPIC MyChart ahora. Para simplificar el proceso de notificación, consentimiento, programación y recordatorio para la distribución de vacunas, y para publicar en el sistema estatal de información de inmunización Web IZ de Nevada, las personas que estén interesadas en recibir la vacuna a través de Renown tendrán que registrarse y obtener una cuenta EPIC MyChart. Manténgase actualizado sobre la COVID-19 Renown Health está preparada para evaluar, diagnosticar y atender de manera segura a pacientes con enfermedad respiratoria, incluida la COVID-19. Para mantenerse actualizado sobre las comunicaciones relacionadas con la distribución de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 por parte de Renown, las preguntas frecuentes y la evidencia científica detrás de la vacuna, visite https://covid.renown.org/ Únase al equipo de Renown Renown Health continúa comprometido con la contratación de personas para ocupar puestos clave en la organización para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Para unirse a la familia de Renown y luchar por la causa justa, postule en línea en https://careers.renown.org/ Apoye al equipo de Renown Renown Health, una organización benéfica sin fines de lucro, está muy agradecida por el apoyo de la comunidad durante estos momentos sin precedentes. Para donar a pacientes o proveedores de Renown, visite https://www.renown.org/donations-covid-19/. About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown es uno de los mayores empleadores privados de la región y cuenta con una fuerza laboral de más de 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. For more information, visit renown.org. About the Washoe County Health District The Washoe County Health District has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.
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