Members in the News – December 2020
Renown Health Tops 2020 Most Wired List
The annual “Healthcare Most Wired” survey, overseen by the College of Healthcare Executives (CHIME) was recently released; Renown Health topped the list, achieving Most Wired status for 2020.
The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how effectively healthcare organizations apply core and advanced technology into their clinical and business programs to improve health and care in their communities. Hospitals and health systems at the forefront of using healthcare IT to improve the delivery of care have maximized the benefits of foundational technologies and are embracing new technologies that support population heath management and value-based care.
For the fourth year in a row, Renown Health earned the “Digital Most Wired” honors from CHIME. Renown also received the 2020 Most Wired Certified Level 7 Special Recognition. The CHIME annual survey accesses how effectively health care organizations apply core and advanced technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve health and expand access to care in their communities.
“We at Renown are proud of our national reputation as an innovator in implementing new technology and systems of care for the community,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO. “As we shift from volume to value-based care, and increase access to meet the demand for health care services, we continue to invest in technology and expertise to improve clinical outcomes, the patient experience and reduce the cost of care. I am incredibly proud of our Information Technology team and our amazing partners who are working to make health and care more convenient and accessible.”
A total of 30,091 organizations were represented in the 2020 Digital Health Most Wired program. The surveys assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in the healthcare organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading. Added Sy Johnson, MBA, Chief of Staff, “It’s great to see that the most successful healthcare organizations not only adopt technology but apply it strategically to achieve great outcomes.”
“Our teams have worked hard to adopt technologies and implement clinical systems to improve the delivery of care, across the entire Renown Health system, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ron Fuschillo, MBA, Chief Information Officer. “We have optimized clinical workflows so that our clinicians receive timely alerts and can quickly respond to patient needs. As a team, we are honored to receive this prestigious award for technology that enables us to provide safer, more effective and more efficient care for patients and our community.”
“Digital technology has been a driver of innovation in healthcare for many years now, but never to the degree that we saw in 2020 with the pandemic, said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “The Digital Health Most Wired program underscores why healthcare organizations keep pushing themselves to be digital leaders and shows what amazing feats they can achieve. This certification recognizes Renown’s exemplary performance in 2020.”
New Carotid Procedure at Valley Hospital Reduces Stroke Risk, Recovery Time
Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is now available at Valley Hospital. This minimally invasive procedure utilizes a novel “reversal of blood flow” approach to protect the brain during insertion of a stent to treat a narrowing in the carotid artery (carotid stenosis). This results in a decreased risk of perioperative and long-term stroke rates.
“This procedure has the potential to be a game changer and may eventually replace traditional carotid endarterectomy as the gold standard for treatment of carotid artery stenosis,” said Eddy H. Luh, MD, FACS, vascular surgeon. “Recent studies have shown TCAR to have a stroke and death rate less than traditional carotid endarterectomy surgery and transfemoral stent placement. Patients typically spend one night in the hospital and go home the next day with less pain, a small scar and most importantly, a reduced risk of having a stroke in the future.”
How It Works
During the TCAR procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision above the collar bone (clavicle) and a temporary sheath is inserted for access to the carotid artery. The brain is protected by temporarily reversing the blood flow away from the brain, so that any bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain. The blood passes through a small filter before it is returned to the body through a vein in the groin. A stent (metal scaffolding tube) is placed in the carotid artery to treat the blockage or narrowing within the artery. This results in stroke risk reduction during, immediately and long-term after the procedure.
What is Carotid Artery Disease?
Carotid artery disease occurs when the arteries in the neck that carry blood to your brain become narrow or blocked (carotid artery stenosis/occlusion); normally due to a buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis). This can cause the blood flow to your brain to be compromised and possibly resulting in a stroke.
TCAR is the latest addition to the suite of advanced vascular surgery services offered at Valley Hospital. Other procedures include, but are not limited to Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm repair, Endovascular peripheral artery interventions, and minimally invasive stab phlebectomy for treatment of varicose veins.
Tahoe Forest Health System Receives 2020 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award® for Achieving and Sustaining Excellence in Patient Experience
Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce it has been named a 2020 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing health care organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above of performance in Patient Experience.
The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally-recognized symbol of achievement in health care. Presented annually, the award honors clients who consistently sustained performance in the top 5% of all Press Ganey clients for each reporting period during the course of one year.
Tahoe Forest Health System specially recognizes the Emergency Departments of Tahoe Forest Hospital and Incline Village Community Hospital, and the Inpatient Departments of Tahoe Forest Hospital, who have each reached the 95th percentile in Patient Experience contributing to the achievement of the award.
“The caregivers and staff of Tahoe Forest Health System touch the lives of patients and their families in profound ways,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Press Ganey. “This award reflects their deep commitment to listening to the voices of their patients and our shared mission to reduce suffering and improve the safety, quality, and experience of patient-centered care. I continue to be humbled and inspired by their heroic efforts to care for patients in the face of the uncertainty, stress, and fear brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Press Ganey is proud to partner with them in this noble work and we congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.”
According to Harry Weis, President and CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System, the award represents an important recognition from the industry’s leader in measuring, understanding, and improving the delivery of care. “The Guardian of Excellence Award achievement is an example of how Tahoe Forest Health System honors the community we serve by demonstrating high quality healthcare delivery every day.”