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When it comes to your neurological health, seeking the expertise of a specialist is crucial. The Renown Institute for Neurosciences provides comprehensive care for complex diseases affecting brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Let us help guide you through the appointment process to ensure a productive and informative first appointment. What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences Duration and Purpose: Your first appointment will last approximately one hour. This time allows the doctor to ask specific questions, do a thorough neurological exam and discuss your concerns. Specialized Care: You will be matched with a provider who specializes in assessing and treating your specific ailment or condition. This tailored approach ensures that you receive care from an expert who has the specialized interest and expertise to address your needs effectively. Initial Assessment: During your visit, you will first see a medical assistant who reviews your medication history and standard screening questions provided by your doctor. Following this portion of your appointment, the neurologist will ask specific and detailed questions about your condition and conduct a non-invasive neurological examination to evaluate your brain and nervous system functioning. This exam involves painless tests assessing your cognitive function and nerve operation, including tests for sensation, strength and coordination. Treatment: After performing the neurological exam and addressing your questions, the neurologist will review the possible diagnosis and treatment plan, including any medication needs to help with your condition. Finally, your doctor may discuss the role of additional testing, including imaging studies (CT/MRIs), peripheral nerve testing (EMG) or brain wave testing (EEG), which will be scheduled for a later date. Making the Most of Your Visit To make your appointment as beneficial as possible, consider the following tips: Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early to fill out any necessary check-in items before your appointment's scheduled start time. This will ensure a smooth and timely visit. Bring Insurance Information: Have your insurance details readily available to facilitate the administrative process. This will help avoid any delays or confusion. Gather Medical Records: If you have received treatment or undergone tests with other healthcare providers relevant to your condition, bring along any medical records or test results. This information will assist your neurologist in gaining a comprehensive understanding of your medical history. Prepare Questions and Concerns: Consider noting the following, which can help you better answer questions the neurologist may ask during your appointment. The frequency, duration and severity of your symptoms. Share information about any medications or treatments you have tried for the condition and the outcomes. Prioritize questions to help the neurologist answer your most significant concerns during the initial visit. Your first appointment with a doctor at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences is an opportunity to receive expert care and gain insights into the best method of treatment for your condition. By understanding what to expect and following the tips provided, you can maximize your visit and be on your way to achieving overall health and wellness.

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Stroke is unfortunately common, with 1 in 5 American women experiencing it each year. When it comes to a stroke the phrase “time is brain” speaks to the urgency of getting rapid care. In fact, a woman may lose nearly 2 million neurons per minute of oxygen loss to the brain. The Renown Health Comprehensive Stroke Center experts share the importance of timely treatment and how stroke symptoms can differ in women. Women and Stroke – Surprising Symptoms  Each year stroke affects more women than men. Even more concerning, women are less likely to recover from a stroke. The following non-traditional, less common, warning signs can be common in women: Hiccups with chest pain Sudden disorientation, drowsiness, confusion or a general altered mental status Nausea or vomiting A sudden headache that feels like the ‘worst headache of your life’ Unusual chest pain (especially with hiccups) Body numbness or weakness, such as an arm or leg suddenly ‘falling asleep’ Fainting or loss of consciousness Stroke Diagnosis The first step is neuroimaging by CT scan. This allows for rapid identification of any bleed, and also assists in determining candidacy for the early clot busting medication. MRI brain imaging is much higher resolution, and can better determine the core stroke size, assisting in prognosis and recovery. Since strokes have several different origins, an inpatient workup is essential to determine the underlying cause. Whether the stroke is secondary to plaque in the large vessels, clots being thrown in the setting of atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm), or small vessel disease from years of uncontrolled vascular risk factors (high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes), determining the cause is essential to implementing a management plan to reduce risk for further strokes. Quick Treatment for Stroke is Key Early recognition of stroke symptoms and seeking prompt attention is paramount. There are interventions that can be instituted to minimize the stroke and increase likelihood of recovery, but only if a patient presents to the hospital early. A clot busting medication, called tPA, can be given to patients with stroke if given within 4-5 hours from time of onset. Renown Regional Health Center is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level of stroke certification available. To earn the designation of comprehensive stroke center, a hospital has to meet stringent requirements, including biannual on-site evaluations. This includes care for ischemic stroke patients (lack of blood flow), hemorrhagic stroke patients (bleeds), and determining the underlying cause to guide secondary stroke management prevention. Stroke Symptoms Remember “B.E.F.A.S.T.” to recognize the symptoms of a stroke below: B – Balance Being off balance or dizzy, is common. E – Eyes An eyesight change such as blurring or double vision may occur. F – Face droop One side of the face, or lip, droops A – Arm weakness Does one arm drift down? S – Speech Talking may slur or sound strange. T – Time Time to call 911. Call an ambulance immediately if you or anyone else, experiences any of these symptoms.

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The Acute Care Rehab Therapists at Renown Regional and South Meadows serve a wide variety of patients and their families with varying acuity levels and diagnoses. The 2 departments (inpatient and outpatient) are made up of around 80 employees, including 14 therapists with over 20+ years of experience and over 700 years of combined experience.    What is Acute Care Therapy? The acute care setting is a very fast paced environment with a high volume of therapy orders and fluctuating census.  The therapists are considered a consult service with a primary goal of helping with discharge planning and moving patients throughout our system.  Depending on location, the therapists generally cover 1-3 floors within the hospital and manage a daily caseload of about 15-20 patients.  Our general population ranges from Neonates to Geriatrics. The therapists provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic rehabilitative services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology for the treatment of patients with various disorders and related medical conditions. Treatment may include a variety of activities and exercises to maximize a patient’s functional independence.  Renown Outpatient Rehab Therapy Services Outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy services to help individuals improve & regain function to allow for higher quality of life and a more active lifestyle. We provide treatment for: Orthopedic Conditions Nerve Injuries Spinal Cord Injuries Sport-Related Injuries Worker’s Compensation Injuries Trauma and Post-Surgical Recovery Vestibular Dysfunction Hand Injuries Speech/Language Difficulties Swallowing Dysfunctions Cognitive Issues Specialty Services Include: Lymphedema Therapy Dry Needling Chronic Pain LSVT Big and LSVT Loud Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) South Meadows Campus Lite Gait & Solo Step Systems Pre-Driving Assessments and Computer Driving Simulation Wheelchair Evaluations-Basic and Complex Custom Splinting All treatments are one-on-one with a licensed Outpatient Therapist

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November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. At Renown Health, we know that Alzheimer's safety for your loved one is a priority, as the symptoms can sometimes lead to unsafe situations. We asked Dr. Jonathan Artz – a neurology physician with Renown Health and an assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – for tips on keeping loved ones safe and secure.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease affects safety in various ways, specifically due to body and brain adjustments. These changes can include: Judgment, including forgetfulness  Sense of place – getting lost on the way home  Behavior – being suspicious or fearful  Body difficulty – losing balance Sensing ability – noticeable sensitivity in hearing, seeing or temperature  Dr. Artz gives us four major tips to ensure your loved one’s safety as you both navigate this disease together.  Watch for Wandering  Those experiencing Alzheimer’s disease tend to wander and get lost. Try the following tips to reduce the risk of wandering:  Get your loved one an ID bracelet and have them wear it at all times. You can also enroll your loved one in “Wandering Support.”  Install door chimes so you know when exterior doors are open.  Ask neighbors to call you if they see your loved one out alone. Go with your loved one when they insist on leaving the house. Don’t argue or yell. Instead, use distraction or gentle hints to get them to return home.  Discourage Driving  Driving can be unsafe for someone with this disease. With this in mind, ask a doctor whether it’s safe for your loved one to drive. For example, on a case-by-case basis, there are certain situations where doctors are required to report individuals with particular cognitive impairments, wherein a form of a driving assessment will be recommended.  Limit access to the car. Keep the keys with you or lock them away.  Ask an authority figure, such as an insurance agent or a doctor, to tell them not to drive.  Adult-Proof Your Abode  A simple living space is a safe living space. This means reducing clutter and removing any issues that may pose a safety concern. You may also want to get advice from an occupational therapist (home safety expert). Keep in mind that some changes may not be needed right away. Focus on major safety concerns first.  Try the following tips:  Add lighting (or glow-in-the-dark tape) to brighten dark areas, including stairways and halls.  Use color contrast or texture indicators for dials, knobs and appliance controls.  Remind your loved one not to carry items while walking to avoid a fall.  Remove sharp objects from drawers and countertops.  Avoid using small throw rugs or doormats, as they are easy to trip on.  Move frequently used items so that they are easy to reach.  Lock away alcohol and tobacco products, as they are not recommended for dementia patients.  Install handrails in the shower, tub and near the toilet. Bathroom falls are especially common.  Adjust the setting on your hot water heater so water does not scald. Those with Alzheimer’s can lose their sensitivity to temperature.  Move and lock up hazardous chemicals and cleaning supplies, such as bleach and insecticides.  Disable and remove guns or any weapons. Supervise any medication taken by your loved one.  Promote a Positive & Healthy Lifestyle  Continually emphasize the strengths of your loved one by promoting participation in meaningful activities, wellness visits and healthy habits to help them improve their well-being. Here are some ways to keep them physically and mentally active:   Maintain regular vision and hearing screenings and make necessary adaptations.  Establish a routine for daily activities.  Encourage participation in self-care and leisure activities.  Work with your loved one’s doctor to establish a healthy diet.  Ensure proper hydration. It may help to set reminders for your loved one to drink fluids.  Encourage regular exercise. Exercise delivers oxygen to the brain, improving brain health. Promote good sleep habits. Good quality sleep can increase overall brain health and has been associated with improving memory, attention and concentration.  Resources and support are available with the Renown Memory Disorders Program. Providers within this program are specifically dedicated to treating several different memory-related disorders. Memory Disorders Resources & Support.

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National Radiologic Technology Week is from Nov. 5-11, 2023. Join us in celebrating Renown's Interventional Radiology department!Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is told that they have a massive blood clot in their lung, someone who needs a biopsy to determine the next steps of their care, someone facing a stroke or brain aneurysm or someone who needs a catheter to receive treatment such as chemotherapy. You may immediately think that an intense and intimidating surgery is on the horizon. What if, instead of surgery, your care teams were able to use the necessary tools to treat your blockage or administer your medicine with an image-guided procedure?  That’s precisely what the Interventional Radiology (IR) team at Renown Health does. Behind the doors of this department is where you’ll find a team of highly skilled individuals who operate like a well-oiled machine, ensuring that each procedure is executed with precision and care. Their commitment to excellence knows no bounds as they provide essential interventions to patients of all ages, from the tiniest newborns to the elderly. Their mission extends beyond diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; they are experts in understanding and serving the ever-evolving needs of their patients.  Minimally Invasive, Maximally Impactful  With their advanced expertise, our IR teams at both Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center harness the power of X-ray, CT and ultrasound technologies to navigate their way through life-saving minimally invasive procedures, such as thrombectomies, angioplasties, stent placements, embolizations, catheter and drain insertions and needle biopsies. In the world of medicine, Interventional Radiology often offers an alternative to traditional surgical methods, reducing the risk of hospitalization and helping patients embrace recovery more quickly.  Our IR teams have a diverse and busy daily work life in order to make these complex and life-saving interventions happen – and they all have each other’s backs to ensure that every patient gets the care they deserve.  “Every day is different, and no two days are alike,” said Ryan Nunes, Specialty Procedure IR Technologist at Renown Regional. “The day can start off first thing in the morning with several emergent cases, such as ruptured brain aneurysms to brain blockages. We all work really well together; we help each other out and come together to do things as a team.”   Like every other team at Renown, patient well-being is always a number one priority. The IR department takes this commitment seriously, upholding the highest standards of ethics and safety.  “We start the day by preparing rooms and making sure they are well-stocked, checking that all devices are working, performing safety checks and making sure the entire team is well-prepared for whatever cases come through the door,” said Aubrey Goldsmith, Supervisor of Clinical Nursing in IR at Renown Regional. “We have routine cases like drain placements, biopsies, line placements and more, and we also have life-threatening cases that come at a moment’s notice. Our nurses are responsible for monitoring patients throughout the procedure to make sure they are doing well the entire time and are there to respond if the patient has a decline.”  "After completing the prior assessment of each patient, we look for any medical problems the patient may have before confirming it is safe for the patient to have procedure done,” said Brandon Hartwig, Interventional Radiology RN at Renown South Meadows. “We work closely with the physicians on all our cases while assessing each patient, going through labs and vitals and personalizing the procedure for each patient.”  Even though the procedures they oversee are minimally invasive, the IR team understands that any procedure, regardless of the severity, can be incredibly frightening for any patient. Their best tool for handling patient anxieties? Communication.  "The best thing we can do to reduce anxieties and fears in patients is to have communication with them to ensure they know what is going on and what to expect,” said Megan Rios, IR Technologist at Renown Regional. "We set clear expectations for the patients and give reassurance throughout the entire procedure.”  "All of our team members are very attentive to our patients when it comes to potential fears and anxieties that they may have,” added Jazmynn Kimsey, IR Technologist at Renown Regional. “We always take the extra time to listen to our patients and break things down, explaining every step before, during and after the procedure.”  Knowledge sharing is also a crucial part of the IR process. No patient will ever have to wonder, “what exactly is going on here?”  “We provide each patient with education and advocacy throughout the process,” said Blaire Henderson, Interventional Radiology RN at Renown Regional. “We ensure every patient is as comfortable as possible at all times.”  “When it comes to procedures, patients tend to be scared and nervous,” added Ryan Nunes. “The silver lining to what we do is that it is all done through very small openings of the skin, and we all explain this to patients. Most procedures we do are done under moderate sedation which helps put the patient more at ease.”  In a world where advanced medical care meets the human touch, the IR team exemplifies Renown’s commitment to making a genuine difference in the health and well-being of everyone they serve.

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The imaging department is where scientific precision and patient connection come together in harmony to help diagnose a multitude of conditions. When a mystery needs to be unraveled, experts in X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, echocardiography, mammography and nuclear medicine step in to provide a deeper lens into each patient’s inner workings. At Renown Health, our imaging specialists exemplify this and more.  With the inpatient teams at Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center and many outpatient locations across Reno and Sparks, our dedicated and compassionate imaging and radiology technologists make this symphony of healing a melodious reality. Through the lens of their expertise and the state-of-the-art equipment at their fingertips, the invisible becomes visible, pain transforms into answers and the path to recovery.  A Picture Tells a Thousand Words  Every patient image tells a story, and Renown’s Imaging department is full of master storytellers. From X-rays that capture the intricate architecture of bones to MRIs that unveil the complex structure of organs, these team members use sophisticated techniques to make sure every patient receives the highest standard of care.  Within the imaging landscape, no day looks the same – and each team can expect a different set of challenges to overcome, all while helping providers gain better diagnostic clarity.  “Every day in imaging is a little bit different, and I love that,” said Savannah Terrana, Outpatient CT Scan Technologist at Renown X-Ray and Imaging – Vista. “We start like everyone else: getting our rooms stocked and ready for patients and protocoling the day's exams. We have a lot of different types of scans, like x-ray, CT and bone density, and a variety of conditions that we are evaluating for the ordering providers, like fractures, cancer, bleeds and more.  “When we get into work, we get a daily assignment that decides whether we are in one of our outpatient or inpatient rooms,” added Ireland Bennett, Echo Technologist at Renown Regional. “Then when we are on inpatients, we get our assignments for whether we are assigned to transesophageal echocardiograms, the cath lab or pediatrics. When we are on outpatients, we get a set schedule for the day with patients every hour from 7:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. We do our best to be efficient as possible to not delay any patient care or discharges.”  “X-rays aren’t just for bones; we do chest X-rays to look for pneumonia and intestinal issues, and we also do fluoroscopy, which is a live video X-rays while patients drink contrast or while surgeons fix fractures with screws and other hardware in the operating room,” said Amethyst Winters, Inpatient Diagnostics Imaging Lead at Renown South Meadows. “There is a lot of variety, and we provide imaging for patients in the entire hospital.”  Equipped with advanced technologies and the unique skills they acquired in a trade program, at the university-level or in the military, the Imaging department can deliver precise and comprehensive information to help providers make accurate diagnoses. And their role transcends beyond the image scanner.  “A typical day for an MRI Technologist depends greatly on outpatient or inpatient settings,” said Sean Fryer, Supervisor of Imaging for Renown X-Ray and Imaging – Pringle. “There is a lot of screen time and usually in dark areas, but this is where our technologist skill set comes into play – manipulating parameters to either increase quality by signal/resolution or decrease them a little to gain time."  “A day in the life as an ultrasound tech would of course be performing ultrasounds on our patient community, but there is much more to it,” added Mary Rushton, Ultrasound Specialist at the Renown Breast Center. “This includes keeping rooms clean and stocked with supplies, protocoling exams and studying patient history so you can give the best patient care possible, continuing education and training to keep up with new technologies and being an aide to your radiologist. Working with many different personalities, you recognize that you cannot complete every step of the patient care process all by yourself – it requires collaboration from your team to give the ultimate patient care experience."  Mary brings up an excellent point about the wide variety of people her team meets every day, on both the patient and employee side, with the common goal of solving diagnostic mysteries. This aspect of their work has become one of the highlights of their career.  “Working in imaging allows us to meet many members of our community,” Teresa Shutts, Breast Health Coordinator at Renown X-Ray and Imaging – Pringle. “We are responsible for providing imaging exams, managing patient needs and creating a comfortable and caring environment for people who are possibly going through the worst times of their lives.”  Along with every day being different, our Imaging team members thrive in their dynamic and fast-paced work environment, where efficiency and urgency are vital, especially among a constant stream of patients in need of timely diagnoses.  “Our days in CT are very fast paced,” said Shelly Lavin, Imaging Lead for Inpatient Diagnostics at Renown Regional. “Our modality is the first choice for assessing stroke and trauma patients. We are fortunate to have very competent tech aides who help work up CT orders by checking orders, IV status and labs. We generally have inpatients scheduled every half hour, and we work these around a very full ER list.  When we get extremely busy, we have to strategize how we schedule our patients in the various scanners to expedite exams and not delay patient care.”  “We provide patient care for those who come in for emergencies, trauma, inpatient care, surgery and fluoroscopy studies,” added Sean Elliott, Inpatient Radiology Technologist at Renown Regional. “I was always told in school that our main purpose was to help doctors better diagnose patients, and imaging provides many modalities to appropriately diagnose.”  Behind-the-scenes, our Imaging surgery schedulers are the keys to ensuring each appointment runs smoothly, communicating directly with patients to get their exams off to a good start.   “Every day it is my task to make sure we have everything we need to do the exam that is ordered for a patient,” said Isela Gonzalez, Surgery Scheduler for Renown X-Ray and Imaging – Double R. “This includes the order, authorization approval, completing the protocol, confirming the appointment, re-stating the address and directions, going over any prep for the exam and giving them their estimate cost for the exam. I always do my best to give the patient the best experience possible.”  Whether they are in the weeds of radiology or in the depths of patient coordination, Renown’s Imaging department is unmatched – and the direct beneficiaries are their patients.

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Renown Neurosurgery Using a collaborative approach, our experts use leading-edge diagnostic tools to identify neurological conditions and treat them with the most effective surgical and non-surgical treatment techniques available.    What is a Neurosurgeon? A neurosurgeon is a doctor that specializes in surgical treatment and management of conditions for the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. In addition to the nervous system, neurosurgeons can also treat conditions that impact the surrounding supporting structures, including your skull, spinal vertebrae, spinal disks, and blood vessels. If your care team determines surgery is the best plan of treatment, you will be referred to a neurosurgeon for consult. Conditions We Treat

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What is Physiatry? Physiatry (fuh·zee·a·tree) encompasses the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all disabilities related to the brain, nerves, bones and muscles.  The goal is to maximize physical functioning, significantly decrease or eliminate pain, foster independence and improve the quality of life for those with a disability, chronic pain and physical impairments.

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