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RECEIVING A DIAGNOSIS
of cancer is daunting enough,
but the challenges mount as patients begin to work their way
through an unfamiliar health care system. Oncology patients
at Simi Valley Hospital now have two dedicated advocates
with the expertise and experience to help them anticipate issues
and work through any roadblocks they face in their journeys.
Oncology-certified registered nurses Patricia Knipper and
Deirdre Dunbar launched Simi Valley Hospital’s first-ever
nurse navigator program in January. Patients are referred to
the nurse navigators from the Nancy Reagan Breast Center
and the main hospital.
For patients who are newly diagnosed, the nurse naviga-
tors start by helping them understand what the next several
months of their lives will entail to remove some of the
mystery and fear of the unknown.
From there, they help patients gain access to resources in
the community, such as free wigs for patients who lose their
hair, support groups and services, and practical help, such as
transportation.
As their name implies, the nurse navigators also help patients
make their way through their treatment journeys at the hospital.
“We help patients break down any barriers they encounter
and facilitate timeliness in their plan of treatment,” Dunbar
said. “We help to minimize the time between biopsy and the
beginning of treatment, identify where delays are happening
and facilitate communication among health care providers to
make sure patients are making their way through the system
as efficiently as possible.”
Smoothing the transition
As the treatment regimen comes to a close, the nurse naviga-
tors help patients prepare for the next step in their lives with
the creation of a survivorship plan.
“It used to be that when a patient was done with
treatment, that was it,” Knipper said. “They were just
sent out into the world. We have seen patients at that
point almost afraid to finish treatment. It can be scary
for them when they’re no longer being seen regularly by
physicians and nurses. This is often a time when patients
become depressed because they no longer have that
intense contact with caregivers anymore.”
The survivorship plan contains a comprehensive
review of all of the treatments and procedures
the patient has undergone. Most important, it
includes a telephone number the patient can
call for follow-up help if there are any ques-
tions or additional needs.
Knipper and Dunbar are available to help
anyone who is dealing with breast cancer.
They may be reached at
805-955-8055
.
Ahelpinghand
for cancer patients
A lifesaving
choice
When Jane* attended Simi Valley
Hospital’s Pampered in Pink event
last fall, she was just looking to have
a fun night out with other women.
But her decision to go might have
saved her life.
Prompted at the event by a
Nancy Reagan Breast Center
employee, Jane returned to the
hospital for a mammogram, which
revealed she had breast cancer.
“Who knows how long I may have
waited to get a mammogram if I
hadn’t gone to this event,” she said.
Now in treatment for her cancer,
Jane has been helped along in her
journey by Simi Valley Hospital’s
nurse navigators.
*not her real name
Simi Valley Hospital nurse navigators Patricia
Knipper, RN, and Deirdre Dunbar, RN.
LIVING WELL is published as a community service for the
friends and patrons of SIMI VALLEY HOSPITAL,
2975 N. Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065, telephone:
805-955-6000
, website:
SimiValleyHospital.com
.
Information in LIVING WELL comes from a wide range of medical
experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content
that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
2015 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. CMM31333
Caroline Esparza
Interim President
and CEO
George Dichter, MD
Chief of Staff
Steve Sojka
Director, Marketing
and Communication
Steve Willis
Editor