For women facing diagnostic mammograms, the process can be both frightening and confusing. That’s where Karen McMeechan-Lodge, RN, MSN, steps in. As the nurse navigator at Catawba Valley Imaging Center, Karen helps patients from the time they arrive through diagnosis.

“I work for the patient,” Karen says when asked to describe her job. “I am a patient advocate and educator. By helping facilitate their course of care, I ensure patients receive appropriate treatment and timely follow-up.

“I meet with patients who come in for a diagnostic mammogram. I sit with the physicians while they are reading the results and assist in sharing those results with the patient. I make sure that before a patient leaves, she has a full understanding of her situation, her options, and her next steps.

“If a biopsy is needed, I meet with the patient in my office and call her attending physician to determine their preference with regard to a surgeon. I make the surgery appointment for her, and I deliver copies of the films to the surgeon.

“In addition, I create a personalized folder for each patient. I have information sheets on 365 different breast health topics in both English and Spanish.  I fill the patient’s folder with sheets specific to her situation – anything from calcifications to tumors to biopsies – and I review it with her.  I also include my business card and encourage her to call me anytime with questions.

“If she is having her biopsy here, I greet her in the waiting room and help facilitate her paperwork. I am in the room with her throughout the procedure, and I provide post-biopsy care instructions. I call her 24 hours later to make sure she’s doing okay.

“When a patient comes back for results, I help facilitate next steps if needed. For malignancies, I educate her on her type of cancer, and provide a list of surgeons in the area. We discuss the patient’s preferences, and I set up the referral appointment. I create a new folder with information that covers her next stage of treatment, and I refer her to the many breast cancer support resources available through CVMC.

“This has been an amazing experience for me. I am able to witness the inner strength of women and help guide them along new pathways in their lives. Being a nurse navigator is a great role; I get to empower women to take charge of their own health care.  There are a lot of tears, but there are also a lot of hugs.”

For more information about diagnostic mammograms, including the role of the nurse navigator, call Catawba Valley Imaging Center at 828-485-2766.