Renown unveils new critical care units at Renown Regional Medical Center

Understanding that the greatest gift is health, Nevada’s first hospital, established as a clinic in 1862 during a smallpox outbreak to treat the sick during the Civil War, today announced the opening of two new patient care floors within the Tahoe Tower at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

"Renown Health has a rich 160-year history of service to northern Nevada. Continuing our bold vision and legacy, Renown is making this investment to transform care in our community and improve the quality of life for generations to come. Nothing of its kind has been imagined or currently exists in our area,” says Adam Kramer, Board Chair. “This represents one of the largest investments in healthcare facilities, services and programs in the state, and is a result of putting people first to enhance health care access, experiences, outcomes and affordability for all. We are thrilled to give this gift to our community on Renown’s 160th anniversary.”

Renown Health is the only locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Washoe County, Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California.

"These new intensive care units are designed to meet the needs of patients, their families and our care teams,” said Dr. Brian Erling, President and CEO of Renown Health. “This remarkable expansion of our critical care services amplifies our capability to deliver an unparalleled quality of care. Driven by the unwavering commitment of our clinicians, these state-of-the-art units epitomize Renown's resolve to address the escalating healthcare demands of our community, ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality of care, close to home and near family and friends.”

Renown Regional Medical Center, the region’s only Level 2 Trauma Center, is fully equipped to deliver comprehensive emergency medical services to individuals suffering from traumatic injuries.

GROWING FOR THE COMMUNITY

Over the last three years, given significant consumer demand for Renown providers and services, a master facilities planning process was undertaken to ensure adequate bed and procedure capacity, spaces to accommodate new technology and services to meet the needs of a growing patient base and community.

“Renown’s hospital campuses will be the most innovative, convenient and compassionate places to provide and receive care,” says Ann Beck, Chief Financial Officer for Renown Health and executive sponsor of the project.  “Designed for patients, visitors and team members, these spaces showcase state-of-the-art technology, enhance patient safety and improve the hospital experience – including adding more private rooms; having flexible areas with room for growth; and creating healthy, sustainable buildings and interiors.”

Today, the population of Washoe County, now at 502,193 people, has experienced staggering growth of 12.28% over the last 10 years, from 2010 to 2020.

BENEFITS OF RENOWN’S HOSPITAL FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
To alleviate current capacity constraints and allow for expansion and new services, a number of aging facilities are being replaced and new patient care areas have been constructed.

The ninth floor of the Tahoe Tower is now home to a leading-edge Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while the fifth floor houses a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). These state-of-the-art facilities reflect Renown Health's ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care and innovative medical advancements, while also increasing patient capacity.

NEW TRAUMA SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (9TH FLOOR, TAHOE TOWER, RENOWN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER)

Located on the ninth floor of the Tahoe Tower, the newly established Trauma Surgical ICU represents a significant advancement in healthcare capabilities. This state-of-the-art facility boasts leading-edge technology and is staffed by a team of dedicated, highly skilled professionals. Equipped to handle critical injuries and intricate surgical needs, the unit offers the latest advancements in trauma care, ensuring comprehensive treatment for patients in need.

"Renown Health is proud to serve more than one million patients in a 100,000-square mile reach across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and eastern California. Our investment in the Trauma Surgical ICU is a testament to providing exceptional care to trauma patients," said Taralynn Bassham, Director of Nursing for the Trauma ICU. "This unit supports our care teams in continuing to deliver specialized treatments and technologies, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients during their most critical moments."

Features of the Trauma Surgical ICU Include: 

• Increased capacity from 27 to 34 private patient rooms.
• Enhanced and immediate proximity to patients with new nurse station design.
• Increased space for improved patient care, enhanced staff efficiency and equipment.
• Larger picture windows feature views of the city and mountains to increase health and well-being.
• New Family areas provide privacy, comfort, emotional support and allow for better information sharing with care teams.
• Convenient, private bathrooms with safety features.
• “Spirit of the Land” art and design concept features bright and joyful colors, and healing art from artists across Nevada and California.
• Diffused lighting and improved acoustics.
• Enhanced spaces to increase health and wellness of clinicians, including a respite lounge, conference spaces and sit-stand desks.

NEW NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (5TH FLOOR, TAHOE TOWER, RENOWN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER)

In addition to the Trauma Surgical ICU, Renown Regional Medical Center has also expanded its pediatric critical care services.  The NICU has advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to give special care for the tiniest patients. Women from throughout Nevada and California deliver their babies at Renown Regional Medical Center for the added safety of a NICU. Renown also has a Neonatal Transport Team which brings infants with serious illnesses, injuries or complications from outlying communities to the comfort of Renown's NICU.

The Renown NICU is staffed around the clock by medical professionals who specialize in premature and sick infants including neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, lactation consultants, social workers/case coordinators, developmental specialists and registered dietitians.

Features of the Neonatal ICU Include:

        -    Increased capacity from 39 to 49 baby bassinets.

• Additional space for family and loved ones with Bassinet pod system.

NEW PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (5TH FLOOR, TAHOE TOWER, RENOWN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER)

Critically ill patients from newborns to young adults are cared for in the PICU, a specialized unit within the Children’s Hospital. Most patients are under the age of eighteen, some with rare diseases can be slightly older. Patients have diagnoses ranging from breathing difficulties, infections, genetic conditions, metabolic conditions, traumas and accidents, surgeries and many others.

Pediatric intensivists, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and many others provide care around the clock for children.  

Features of the Pediatric ICU Include:

• Increased capacity from 11 to 16 private patient and family rooms.
• Interactive spaces for families, including reading nooks, shadow puppet corners and large projected shapes in the elevator lobby.
• Bright and engaging color palate, and child-friendly art.
• Enhanced spaces to increase health and wellness of clinicians, including a respite lounge, conference spaces and sit-stand desks.

“While we celebrate this milestone today, we are also looking to the future,” said Kristina Deeter, MD, MBA, FAAP Chair of Pediatrics (UNR Med) and Physician-in-Chief, Renown Children’s Hospital. “Renown Health remains committed to advancing pediatric care with our affiliation with the UNR School of Medicine, our new pediatric residency program, and through ongoing research, education and innovation. With your help, we will continue to invest in our talented staff, pursue groundbreaking treatments, and collaborate to push the boundaries of what is possible in pediatric medicine.”

"Our new NICU and PICU units represent a major milestone in pediatric care close to home. We have meticulously designed these spaces to provide a nurturing, healing environment for our little patients and their families, said Becky Haase, Director of Nursing. “We have always provided exceptional care for our patients, now this space matches Renown’s commitment to this community."

These expansions were made possible through the collaborative efforts of Renown Health, the Renown Health Board, construction partners – Clark and Sullivan, Cumming Group and Perkins + Will – and the unwavering support of the community and our care teams.

"In November 2020, Renown announced $489 million in planned investments, including enhancements to our hospital campus and the development of new facilities. The opening of these new units stand as a pivotal moment to celebrate those planned investments," said Ann Beck, Chief Financial Officer at Renown Health. "These expansions perfectly align with our mission to deliver easily accessible, top-tier care to our patients, and we are thrilled for our community to experience this exciting new decade at Renown Health."

To learn more about the expansion projects underway at Renown, please visit renown.org/ExpandingCare.