Las Vegas HEALS News

Valley Shares Tips for People and Pets to Safely Navigate Record High Temperatures

After a mild spring, it may be a shock to the system when temperatures regularly reach the triple digit mark. The Valley Health System urges all Southern Nevada residents to protect their health by leveraging these heat safety tips, and learning the signs of heat illness.

• Never leave kids, pets or disabled adults in the car, even with the engine running. When the engine isn’t running, a car can heat up by 20 degrees in 10 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Stay inside during the hottest parts of the day; run your errands in the early morning or later evening.
• If you are outside, wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen. Protect your feet by using sunscreen and wearing water shoes or flip flops.
• Cool your car as much as possible. Crack the windows for ventilation. Cover your steering wheel and car seats so they are cooler to touch. Protect your hands when touching door handles or opening/closing the trunks.
• Some medications may cause you to be more susceptible to the heat. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself.
• The very young and the elderly are more susceptible to heat; keep a close watch on younger children and create a communication plan with older relatives and friends so they know how to reach you in case of emergencies.
• Protect your skin. Wear hats or use umbrellas to fend off the harsh sun rays. Replenish sunscreen to avoid sunburns. Be sure to apply sunscreen to scalps, tips of ears, tops of feet and whatever your clothes or bathing suit doesn’t cover. Don’t forget the back of your neck, arms and legs.
• Schedule hydration breaks throughout the day. When playing outdoors, it’s important to take water breaks every 20 to 30 minutes. Because our perspiration evaporates so quickly in Southern Nevada, we may not be aware of our water loss, so set the alarm on your phone to remind you to take a drink. Always bring extra water when running errands.
• Think before you drink. Water is the best source to rehydrate your body and, if you are actively exercising, sports beverages can help replace the salt and minerals lost during exercise. Alcohol and soda can dehydrate the body, so sip those in moderation during the summer months.  Take advantage of water-based foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes to keep hydrated.
• Beat the heat and stay cooler by seeking shade, wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella, placing a cold towel around your neck and behind your knees, running your wrists under cold water, sitting in front of a fan, jumping in a swimming pool or taking a cool bath or shower.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness:

o   Heat exhaustion:

• muscle cramping
• heavy sweating
• weakness
• cold, pale and clammy skin
• a fast but weak pulse
• nausea or vomiting.

o   What to do: immediately take steps to cool down the body and if they don’t feel better, seek immediate medical attention.

o   Heat stroke

• a body temperature above 103 degrees
• hot, red, dry or moist skin
• a rapid and strong pulse
• possible unconsciousness.

o   What to do: Immediate medical attention required. Call 911. Take steps to cool the body but do not give the person fluids.

About the Valley Health System
The Valley Health System (VHS), comprised of acute care hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, outpatient services and physician practices, cares for patients throughout Southern Nevada and surrounding communities. Accredited by The Joint Commission, VHS hospitals provide a comprehensive array of medical services including cardiovascular, neurosciences, maternity and women’s health, emergency and surgical care, along with specialty programs in stroke, chest pain, pediatrics, orthopedics, diabetes, wound care, surgical weight loss/bariatrics, geropsychiatric services and acute inpatient rehabilitation units. For more information, visit www.valleyhealthsystemlv.com.

Updated information about The Valley Health System can be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ValleyHealthLV
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thevalleyhealthsystem/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheValleyHealthSystem

St. Rose Dominican Surgical Team Earns Affirmation From Global Review Entity

The Siena Campus of Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican recently achieved accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, recognized for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety by Surgical Review Corporation, an independent, not-for-profit, organization that administers best-in-class accreditation programs for medical facilities and professionals.

The St. Rose Siena hospital is also the first Nevada hospital to achieve Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery accreditation. Status as an accredited facility means the Siena Campus has met or exceeded nationally recognized standards set by the global third-party organization. Not all hospitals and surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous requirements and inspection process are granted accreditation.

“Excellence is a Dignity Health core value and we pursued this distinction to demonstrate our commitment,” said Lawrence Barnard, President & CEO of the Siena Campus. “We recognize that excellence is not simply an achievement, it is a culture that must be fostered and sustained. This achievement is only possible with the ongoing commitment of our entire team of talented medical professionals. As the first hospital in Nevada to achieve this accreditation, we hope that patients and families who rely on us for their care can come to us with even more confidence, knowing that Siena professionals strive to uphold the highest level of excellence every day.”

Dr. Rodney Buzzas, Siena Chief Medical Officer, added, “As medical professionals, we recognize both the challenges and advantages of working on the forward edge of technology. Utilizing advanced robotic surgical techniques, surgeons are able to perform a broad range of minimally invasive procedures, which benefit patients through smaller incisions, fewer complications, and generally faster recovery.”

Health care organizations and surgeons seeking accreditation by SRC undergo an extensive self-assessment and inspection process. This includes physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in the accredited program. The inspection is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization or surgeon improve care and services.

“We’re proud to recognize Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican’s Siena Campus for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that this hospital is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.”

On average, the St. Rose Siena Campus performs more than 100 robotic surgeries each month. Common robotic surgical procedures include cardiothoracic, general, gynecologic, and urology surgeries.

Accreditation remains in place as long as the medical facility remains in good standing and in verifiable compliance with all current requirements and other program criteria. Designees are evaluated periodically throughout their accreditation and inspections are performed every three years.

To learn more about SRC and the accreditation process, visit surgical review.org.

About Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican:
As the community’s only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican has been guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1947. As the Henderson and Las Vegas communities grow, the St. Rose Dominican health system and its nearly 4,000 employees will continue the Sisters’ mission of serving people in need. St. Rose Dominican is a member of the multi-state Dignity Health network of nearly 10,000 physicians, 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, and primary care clinics. For more information, visit our website at http://www.strosehospitals.org. Dignity Health was recently recognized as part of Forbes’ annual list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2020, as one of the top ten best employers in Nevada.

About Surgical Review Corporation
Established in 2003, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an internationally recognized, nonprofit, patient safety organization dedicated to recognizing and refining surgical care. SRC accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet our proven standards. Look for our seal, expect excellence. For more information, visit http://www.surgicalreview.org

What: The coronavirus pandemic has enhanced the appreciation for the role and value of nurses in American healthcare. This July, high school students will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to join this vital field when UNLV School of Nursing hosts its 2^nd annual Nurse Camp, a one-week interactive day-camp. Attendees will learn alongside clinical nurses and nurse educators as they engage in a variety of hands-on (and highly visual) skills labs and activities, including CPR and Stop the Bleed training; donning and doffing PPE, mobility devices and lifts; removing sutures and staples; checking vital signs, medication, administration, and more.

During the week-long program, students will receive a complete look at nursing through academic and clinical settings while observing how much of a role nurses play in our community. They will gain valuable insight into nursing school and what it takes to become a registered nurse. Each session will end with a recognition ceremony honoring the students for completing the camp.

“I can’t think of any better preparation than being able to learn from people who are already going to nursing school and working as nurses,” says Minnie Wood, UNLV Nursing Lecturer and Nurse Camp Coordinator. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives, and I think a lot of young people are seeing how important the work of nurses is and was throughout this time. We’re the most trusted profession in the country for many reasons, and I’m excited to share that with nurse campers again this year.”

Who: Nurse Camp is open to current Las Vegas junior and senior high school students and recent high school graduates.  They can register via the website. There are a limited number of spots available. Students who apply after the capped amount will be put on a wait list.

When: There will be two sessions for Nurse Camp.  Each session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Session 1 – Monday, July 12 to Friday, July 16
• Session 2 – Monday, July 19 to Friday, July 23

Where: Each session will be split between the UNLV Main Campus and Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas. Specific schedules will be provided to registered participants.

Ribbon cutting marks grand opening of 1.4 million square foot West Hall before Informa Markets’ World of Concrete; Las Vegas Convention Center Loop Begins Operation

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) debuted the Las Vegas Convention Center’s (LVCC) $1 billion, 1.4 million square foot West Hall expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by doors opening to Informa Markets’ World of Concrete, the first major convention to return to Las Vegas and to the U.S. post-pandemic.

The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, the underground tunnel developed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company designed to shuttle convention attendees throughout the 200-acre campus in all-electric Tesla vehicles, also became fully operational.

The arrival of World of Concrete signals the return of meetings and conventions to Las Vegas, named the number one trade show destination in North America for 26 consecutive years by the Trade Show News Network (TSNN.) The addition of the West Hall brings the total square feet of meeting space in the destination to 14 million and makes the LVCC the 2nd largest facility in the country. During a normal year, the meeting and convention industry represents $11.4 billion in economic impact to the area.

World of Concrete’s arrival comes on the heels of Las Vegas’ full reopening to 100 percent capacity on June 1.

“This convention reinvigorates our commitment to be bold in how we envision the future of infrastructure and recovery of our state and this is only the beginning,” Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “We are back in Las Vegas and there is no better or safer place to come to have a convention than Las Vegas.”

“We are excited to welcome our convention customers back to Las Vegas and to our new West Hall, reigniting the meetings and convention industry,” said Steve Hill, LVCVA president and CEO. “Today is not only a great day for our city, it’s a great day for the meetings and conventions industry across Las Vegas and across the United States.”

The West Hall features a contemporary design, an abundance of natural light and 600,000 square feet of exhibition space, including 328,000 square feet of column-free space, the largest column-free exhibition space in North America. An open-air atrium features a 10,000-square-foot digital screen developed by Samsung, the largest digital experience in a convention center in the U.S. A 14,000-square-foot terrace can hold receptions of up to 2,000 attendees, offering spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip. Construction on the facility began in September 2018 and continued throughout the pandemic.

Trade shows facilitate $325 billion in business sales and 1.3 million jobs globally each year. While Informa Markets offers digital solutions that extend its reach and allow communities to connect year-round, now more than ever customers recognize the value of in-person relationship-building. Informa Markets remains committed to Las Vegas, with plans to host ten additional events in the destination before the end of the year. World of Concrete will return to the LVCC next January.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the live event format, especially in the home of the exhibitions industry in the U.S., Las Vegas,” said Nan Walsh, President, North America at Informa Markets. “There is an unparalleled magic about in-person connection—from sharing laughs with old friends, creating new ones, learning from industry experts, and seeing and feeling the latest products and innovations. We are so happy to be the first large-scale trade show to return to the show floor in the U.S., and the first to use the Las Vegas Convention Center’s incredible new West Hall, and through that partnership I believe we are signaling a return to business and connection that is needed now more than ever.”

The $52.5 million Las Vegas Convention Center Loop connects the West Hall to the LVCC’s North and South Halls via two one-way vehicular tunnels, including three passenger stations. The system serves as a fun and quick transportation solution to move convention attendees throughout the sprawling campus approximately 40 feet below ground in less than two minutes, while a walk could take 20 minutes or more. The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is first commercial project of its kind by The Boring Company.

Plans have been announced to expand the system throughout the resort corridor. Known as the Vegas Loop, the expanded system will ease traffic congestion and offer a new transportation option for visitors from as far north as Downtown Las Vegas, throughout the Strip and as far south as Allegiant Stadium.

The LVCC was awarded the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR facility accreditation by ISSA, the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry and considered the gold standard for safe facilities. Health and safety also remain a top priority throughout the destination with a variety of stringent Vegas Smart health and wellness guidelines in place to keep visitors safe, from arrival to departure.

For additional information on the LVCC and meetings and conventions in Las Vegas, visit  www.vegasmeansbusiness.com.