December 06, 2023

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment in Lexington, KY

Image of Polly West, RN - Support for Patients with AFib

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♪ As the electrophysiology nurse navigator, I help guide patients and families on the journey of atrial fibrillation, from diagnosis to pre-procedural workups to treatment options and ongoing support and resources. Patients are referred to the cardiology office, and once they meet with the physician and figure out options and how they want to move forward, I will be introduced to journey with them and be a resource and someone they can call. When they're scheduled for surgery, I do a pre-procedural workup and talk about the surgery itself, what to expect. And I talk to them about how many people are going to be in the room, that there's a lot of equipment, that that's normal.

When patients come in with atrial fibrillation, especially if it's a new diagnosis, they are unsure, what do I do? They feel overwhelmed because they don't understand it. So I can help them talk about modifiable risk factors, some things they can do to make their health journey better, and then treatment options, just to give them peace of mind and give them some control over a situation that feels a little out of control. Every day that I come to work, I want to provide hope and show them love and support.

And it's very rewarding to have them say, "Thank you."

Support for Patients with AFib Healthtalks Transcript:

Polly West, RN, Electrophysiology Nurse Navigator
Baptist Health Lexington

Polly West, RN: As the electrophysiology nurse navigator, I help guide patients and families on the journey of atrial fibrillation, from diagnosis and pre-procedural workups, to treatment options and ongoing support and resources.

Patients are referred to the cardiology office. Once they meet with the physician and figure out options and how they want to move forward, I will be introduced to journey with them and be a resource and someone they can call.

When they're scheduled for surgery, I do a pre-procedural workup and talk about the surgery itself [and] what to expect. I talk to them about how many people are going to be in the room, that there's a lot of equipment and that's normal.

When patients come in with atrial fibrillation, especially if it's a new diagnosis, they are unsure, saying “what do I do?” They feel overwhelmed because they don't understand it. I can help them talk about modifiable risk factors, some things they can do to make their health journey better, and [discuss] treatment options to give them peace of mind and give them some control over a situation that feels a little out of control.

Every day that I come to work, I want to provide hope and show them love and support, and it's very rewarding to have them say thank you.