Richard Edmiston, MD
	John Miceli, RT
	William Ford, MD
	Louis Delionback, MD

When Northern Nevada Medical Center opened 25 years ago, the landscape of Sparks and Reno was vastly different. The medical profession also has been considerably redesigned. Several of the first doctors on Northern Nevada Medical Center's medical staff recently commented on the most significant shifts in the practice of medicine since 1983.

"The advent of new imaging, CT scanning, MRI and ultrasound" has been the most transformative change in healthcare in the past 25 years, according to radiologist Dr. Richard Edmiston, who joined Northern Nevada Medical Center's reading radiologist staff within the hospital's first week of operations in January 1983.

John Miceli, director of imaging services, detailed some of the revolutionary changes:

• 25 years ago, X-rays were processed on film in a roller transport system.
  Today, we don't even use film; we use digital plates and computers.
   
• 25 years ago, radiologists hung film on a light box and used a hot lamp to see the dark areas and read films.
  Today, we use a computer with high-resolution monitors and adjustments that allow radiologists to change density while reading a digital image.
   
• 25 years ago, film was stored manually in large manila folders in rooms jammed with shelves.
  Today, we can easily find images saved on computers with reports attached via PACS, the Picture Archive Communication System.
   
• 25 years ago, radiologists were required to come into the hospital at all hours of the day and night to read exams.
  Today, when an emergency imaging exam needs to be interpreted, a radiologist or specialist gets out of bed and retrieves the images off a home computer and then phones, text messages or electronically sends an evaluation back to the emergency department.

Dr. William Ford, orthopedic surgeon who joined Northern Nevada's medical staff in its opening month, has seen his specialty develop with new techniques to treat traumatic injuries. "Ankles, shoulders and hips haven't changed -- but skateboard and snowboard accidents have added a tremendous number of injuries," he said. "We're much more aggressive in treating trauma, using surgery involving hardware and implants."

According to the physicians, another challenge during the past 25 years has been managed care, which has made medical practice more complicated for physicians and patients. "When Northern Nevada Medical Center came into existence, managed care was only a threat looming in the future," said Dr. Louis Delionback, family practitioner who has been on the medical staff since the hospital's first week. "Many of us went through trials and tribulations while the system matured."

Through it all, Northern Nevada Medical Center has remained "a friendly haven," according to Dr. Ford. "Northern Nevada has been family-oriented and user-friendly to physicians, staff and patients."

"Northern Nevada was the first hospital to cater to the patients in this community," said Dr. Delionback. "It provided a healthy competitive edge that has kept community-wide hospital costs down and improved the overall standard of care."

Physicians on the medical staff at the hospital have witnessed the exciting growth of a new hospital as well as the benefits and challenges brought by the expansion of both the community and the hospital. "The growing pains since 1983 have positioned Northern Nevada Medical Center to be the area's first choice in healthcare 2008," said Dr. Ford.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000