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Taking care of patients is only one aspect of a nurse's job. Another important aspect is teaching patients how to take good care of themselves - and their conditions. 

Julie MacDonald knows both aspects of this role. She is a nurse with Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. She developed a special interest in cardiology when she was a nursing student and her dad had open-heart surgery.

She's been working in this field ever since - 20 years and counting. For the past 12 years, MacDonald has been in the outpatient clinic of the electrophysiology lab. "I follow up on patients who have had defibrillators and pacemakers," she says.

Building relationships
In her current position, MacDonald sees most of her patients at three- or six-month intervals. "Because I see my patients so frequently and over a period of years, I am able to develop relationships with them," she says. "I find this very rewarding."

Because of these strong relationships, patients feel comfortable asking MacDonald important questions. She works closely with the doctors to answer all of their inquiries. "Patients like the idea that I know their cardiologist and can resolve their concerns right away," she says.

Most of MacDonald's patients are older adults. She teaches them how their medical devices operate and when to contact their doctor or nurse. She also makes sure the devices are programmed properly to ensure the best outcomes.

"I think our greatest challenge is that defibrillator and pacemaker technology is always evolving," she says. "I am always educating myself about new software and options."

A recent advancement is home monitoring systems for pacemakers and defibrillators, which allows some patients to transmit information to the hospital from home.

Recognized quality
Patients can feel confident knowing that Mount Auburn Hospital was recently named a "Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care®" by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Blue Distinction® is a designation awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. The rigorous, evidence-based selections help consumers find quality specialty care and encourage health-care professionals to improve services nationwide.

"Part of excellence in health care is consistent, personalized care," says MacDonald. "Our entire cardiology group works to give our patients a positive experience."

At Mount Auburn Hospital, there are many nurses with specific areas of expertise. These nurses work collaboratively with a team of care providers to administer the highest quality of care to patients.

For a free Mount Auburn Hospital physician directory, please call us at (617) 499-5094.