Meet a CMH caregiver Lauren Knutsen, RN, is dedicated to heart health Lauren Knutsen is a registered nurse in the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic. Knutsen has been with CMH for more than six years and has enjoyed working with and learning about the many devices used in the clinic. The main parts of her day consist of interrogating patients’ devices and routine checks. “Interrogating” devices means to “look into” them to ensure they’re functioning properly. As a nurse in the clinic, she visits with patients to address hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and whatever patients need, she says. She also helps with a full array of testing, including stress echoes, nuclear medicine tests and exercise testing on the treadmill. In between appointments, nurses receive triage calls to support the patients and team. “I’ve been at the Cardiology Clinic for a while, so I’ve been able to see it evolve to what it is now,” Knutsen says. “One of the things I’ve learned and felt appreciative for is that I’ve been able to learn about devices and electrophysiology. That is what I found I love and enjoy. I mainly have device appointments where I interrogate patients’ devices, and a lot of those appointments are scheduled with the providers. I do a lot of follow-up device checks after OHSU Electrophysiology sees them as well, so patients don’t have to go back and forth to Portland.” Growing and evolving Knutsen is glad to see the Cardiology program expanding, enabling more implant device appointments right in the office. She has learned a lot about general cardiac health, especially while working with Khidir Dalouk, MBBS, an OHSU cardiologist who has a great deal of experience with devices. “We’re very lucky to have Dr. Dalouk here a couple of times a month,” Knutsen says. “Having the ability to work with some awesome providers, team members and their experience with electrophysiology and devices is amazing. They are all knowledgeable and very willing to help, and I learn from them daily. “We have a great leadership team. [My manager and supervisor are] very supportive and always want me to learn and make sure I can watch a device implant in the OR. They want to keep the Cardiology Clinic growing and evolving to be the best it can be.” Knutsen looks forward to the continued growth of the clinic and also the future hospital expansion. She hopes to see more cardiac device implantation on the coast, making it easier and more accessible for patients to receive them. “I know that’s what we’re working toward, and we’re doing that more often. Making those procedures more accessible for patients is a huge thing, and, luckily, we have OHSU’s influence,” Knutsen says. “I even had the opportunity to spend a day with the electrophysiologist at OHSU. We’re expanding on our device side, and there is so much that we offer with our great team and knowledgeable providers. That’s the biggest thing — being able to expand and provide more for a rural community.” Knutsen is glad to see the Cardiology program expanding, enabling more implant device appointments right in the office. 6 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2024
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