Care Coordination/Patient Navigation
Care coordination involves the timely synchronization of various healthcare services to meet a cancer patient’s specific healthcare needs throughout his or her cancer experience.
Case managers, patient navigators and social workers work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, technicians, hospital staff members and others on the care team – as well as other caregivers and outside agencies – to ensure quality of life for patients and their families and to promote proper healing.
Lynn Gerig: Helping cancer patients find their way.
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. But fortunately, at Parkview, there are people like Lynn Gerig who help newly diagnosed patients find their footing again. Lynn’s a patient navigator, a specialized oncology nurse who guides patients on their cancer journey – connecting them with resources, offering tips and advice, and serving as a caring advocate. View the video to learn more about this unique service.
The Patient Navigation Team
The members of the Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center also compose the Patient Navigation Team. They have a wealth of knowledge, decades of experience and a sincere empathy for people facing cancer. Their goal is to help each patient navigate the sometimes-complex healthcare system.
Each of the patient navigators is a registered nurse certified in oncology and/or case management with a minimum of 10 years’ experience working with cancer patients and their families. Whether a patient needs a information on a cancer diagnosis, coordination of appointments with physicians, resources to help with financial concerns or insurance questions, or simply a good listener, these caring healthcare professional will do all they can to meet those needs – free of charge.
Patient navigators:
- Assess patient needs to identify physical, emotional, spiritual, psychosocial, dietary and financial concerns
- Provide education on the disease process, treatment options and the side effects of treatment
- Answer insurance questions, including Medicaid and Medicare issues
- Assist with obtaining prescription drugs
- Connect patients and their families with hospital and community resources specific to their needs
- Assist with discharge plan arrangements, such as home health or hospice care, extended-care facility placement and/or equipment and treatment needs
- Help with transportation issues
- Provide emotional support throughout the continuum of care
They serve as a link for patients to these and other resources:
- Transportation assistance
- Home health or hospice care
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Patient assistance programs for medications
- Assistance with Medicaid and Social Security Disability application
- Support groups
- Nursing home placement
- Dietary consultants
- Alternate/complementary therapies
- Cancer information
- Homebound meals
The Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center Patient Navigation Team also includes an advanced practice nurse. The advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing specializing in cancer, and is certified as an advanced practitioner in cancer care. She is especially knowledgeable on different types of cancer and can answer questions about treatment and management of symptoms.
The expert, friendly team members listed below are committed to providing personal attention that makes a real difference in each patient’s cancer journey. Team members monitor patient progress, provide problem-solving and advice on concerns and help patients and their families cope with the many issues involved in fighting cancer while trying to maintain quality of life.
Patients and family members are encouraged to contact them with questions and concerns at (260) 266-9100.
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Nancy Ehmke, RN, MN, AOCN,
Oncology Advanced Practice Nurse
nancy.ehmke@parkview.com |
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Lynn Gerig, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN
Oncology Patient Navigator
lynn.gerig@parkview.com
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Gail Keuneke, RN, BSN, CCM, HIA,
Oncology Patient Navigator
gail.keuneke@parkview.com
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The Parkview Breast Care Team
When the results of a mammogram indicate the need for a woman to undergo a breast biopsy, she may be very anxious about the process and what lies ahead. Parkview’s Breast Care Team provides support for women during this time of uncertainty.
Every woman who has a breast biopsy at the Breast Diagnostic Center meets with a member of the Parkview Breast Care Team. The team consists of an advanced practice nurse who specializes in cancer care and two patient navigators. Members of the team not only answer questions about breast health and cancer, but also connect the woman with resources and services specific to her needs.
Breast Care Team panelcard