Pulmonary Hypertension Patient Navigation: Avoiding the Perfect Storm

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, incurable disease that presents a challenging journey for all involved. Specialized, complex care and treatment is needed for this population of patients, and should be provided in an organized, systematic manner to promote optimal patient outcomes. The concept of patient navigation can be used as a framework for the pulmonary hypertension (PH) center, so that care delivery is well structured and PAH patients have a guide to assist them through all aspects of the health care continuum. This article will focus on how a PH patient navigation program can be implemented and the role of a PH nurse navigator, using the Christiana Care Health System Pulmonary Hypertension Program in Newark, Delaware, as an example. There have been many advances in PAH diagnosis and treatment in the last 20 years, and the time has come to introduce a PH patient navigation model that can be used as a guide to structure PH programs.

Novel Insight into How Nurses Working at PH Specialist Clinics in Sweden Perceive Their Work

“…The diseases have a significant impact on the psychological, social, economic, emotional, and spiritual function of both patients and their next of kin [ 3 , 7 , 10 ]. For nurses working at the PH specialist centers, their role includes gathering and giving information, coordination of care, assessment, and intervention, education, facilitating research, and last but not least, patient advocacy [ 9 , 11 , 12 ]. The nurses must work holistically and involve the patient’s family and friends when possible [ 10 ].…”