Effect of nurse navigation on patient care satisfaction and distress associated with breast biopsy

Navigation during the biopsy period is a superior approach to delivering care, with those patients receiving services experiencing less distress. Critical nurse navigator roles include providing information and facilitating access to the healthcare system, both of which are influential on distress. The information in this article supports the expansion of navigation programs to include women undergoing biopsy and aids in promoting a higher standard of care.

To evaluate the effect of navigation on care satisfaction and distress in women undergoing breast biopsy.

A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design from two outpatient radiology clinics in Appalachia was used.

Navigated women had lower scores on every distress measure and were less likely to seek information from an outside source. Women who were more satisfied with their care reported decreased distress; the factors influencing distress varied depending on whether they were the recipient of navigation services. In the non-navigated population, general satisfaction with care and accessibility were more likely to influence distress.