Nurse navigator streamlines cardiac care

Teresa URQUHART
CEO, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center

Heart conditions can be chronic, meaning there is no specific treatment option that can fix the problem right away. If you or a loved one were recently diagnosed with heart disease, you may find yourself wondering what to do next. There is a lot to keep up with, from follow up appointments to imaging tests to treatment/counseling coupled with new medications, diet and exercise regimens.

Trying to keep it all straight can be a challenge, and that is where we come in!

When receiving care at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, our cardiac nurse navigator can help.

We are proud to introduce Kelly Bates, RN. Kelly has over 25 years of experience as a cardiac nurse, and she, along with all of the members of the cardiac care team, is available to guide patients on every step of their journey. She is focused on patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), a serious condition in which the heart doesn’t pump efficiently, and assisting patients after coronary intervention. As the cardiac patient navigator, her role is to provide guidance through the hospital process, reviewing what is involved in a particular patient’s diagnosis, as well as the reason for the tests and potential treatment options. She can help explain the tests, procedures, and medications that were prescribed. Kelly also supports and enhances the comfort levels of patients and their families with the information that they share, encouraging patients’ questions and discussing any concerns.

Here are some of the ways our cardiac nurse navigator can help our patients:

Before surgery:

• Completing necessary paperwork
• Scheduling diagnostic studies/surgery
• Patient and family needs with regard to transportation, hotel stays and meals
• Distribution of educational materials and instructions regarding surgery and patient care

During hospitalization:

• Communication with patient and family — preoperatively and during surgery — to keep them up-to-date on the process and patient progress
• Patient visitation
• Patient discharge instructions and scheduling follow-up appointments

After surgery:

• Patient records
• Communication with patient or family for follow-up questions
• Appointment scheduling

You never should be afraid to speak up when it comes to your healthcare. If you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed, or confused about what is expected of you, Kelly, and other members of our care team are here to help. At Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, we know that treating the physical problem is only half the battle. We are here to help with your mental and emotional stresses as well.

As the first hospital in Palm Beach County to start an open-heart surgery program, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center continues to provide innovative, top-quality cardiac care to the community. We were also one of the first hospitals in Palm Beach County to offer minimally invasive heart surgery as a treatment option for patients suffering from heart valve disease. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery where the breastbone needs to be surgically separated, minimally invasive valve surgery is performed through a small incision between the ribs.

Other cardiac achievements of the hospital include:

• More than 100,000 cardiac catheterizations
• Over 700 TAVRs
• Over 275 Mitraclips
• Over 50 convergent procedures
• Over 50 minimally invasive cardiac surgeries

Learn more about our cardiac services and program here or call 561-622-1411.

Source: https://palmbeach.floridaweekly.com/articles/nurse-navigator-streamlines-cardiac-care/