Get back to living life, thanks to a broad range of surgical services
If surgery is in your future, the Orthopedic and Surgical Institute at Northern Nevada Medical Center offers advanced medical technology and highly trained professionals who provide high-quality specialty and surgical services.
Types of available surgeries include robotic; ear, nose and throat; gastrointestinal; general; orthopedic and spine; plastic; vascular; urologic; and retinal surgery. A multidisciplinary team approach enables personalized care for each patient.
The eyes have it
While retinal surgery may not be as common as other types of surgery, Retinol Surgeon Steven Friedlander, MD, FACS, is one of several doctors who perform about 25-30 procedures a month at Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC). He says treating patients here is advantageous because the hospital staff is in tune with the needs of surgeons as well as patients. "Northern Nevada Medical Center is a very surgeon-friendly facility. The administration is responsive, the staff is accommodating and well-trained, and we have what we need to do the job," he says. "It's also very easy to schedule surgeries when needed."
Dr. Friedlander says a comfortable surgeon translates to patients who can feel more at ease in the operating room. “The staff at NNMC is compassionate, and it’s easy for any hospital to obtain equipment. But it is the staff that helps contribute to a positive patient experience,” he says. “Patients are pleased with their experience at NNMC, for many of the same reasons I like doing surgery there. It comes down to the people and NNMC attracts and retains the best.”
Retinal Surgeon Elena Geraymovych, MD, agrees. “What sets NNMC apart is that they have an amazing staff, and their operating room is equipped with updated technology. They make it very easy for us if we need new equipment for the latest techniques, and they are very flexible with the operating room schedule,” she says. But more significant is the feedback about the whole process from check-in to discharge. Dr. Geraymovych states that patients appreciate how easy it is for them, and the medical staff and nurses are on top of things and very knowledgeable. “This leads to a positive patient experience,” she says.
Who is a candidate for retinal surgery?
A common condition, diabetic retinopathy, can lead to the need for retinal surgery. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may be at risk for vision loss because retinopathy damages the small blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye. High levels of blood glucose and prolonged uncontrolled diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, are the biggest risk factors for developing diabetic retinopathy.
Prevention is considered first to control blood sugar and blood pressure. When diabetes and blood pressure control are not enough, there are treatments that can be done by a retina specialist to slow down, reverse and prevent loss of vision. Those treatments include anti-VGEF intravitreal (inside the eye) injections, laser to damaged retina and surgery (vitrectomy.)
When assessing overall risk, it is important to become familiar with your individual A1C results. Your doctor can help you manage your diabetes by monitoring your test results every few months. A reduction in hemoglobin A1C of just one percentage point can translate to a 50 percent reduction in retinopathy risk.
Learn more about surgical services at NNMC >
Northern Nevada Medical Center is committed to providing the highest level of care for its patients. This commitment has been recognized by The Joint Commission, who awarded a Gold Seal of Approval ™ to both The Joint Center of Excellence in Orthopedics: Knee Replacement and Orthopedics: Hip Replacement, and for Spine Surgery at The Spine Center. These certifications demonstrate NNMC’s continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s standards, including medication management and infection prevention and control.