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CMW Sneak Peek: What is the difference between unit-based and specialty-based case management?

Case Management Weekly, July 22, 2009

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The two major ways to assign hospital case managers are by a unit-based or a specialty-based model. Each of these models has unique pros and cons. An astute manager can strategically select the most appropriate path, but only if he or she clearly understands the differences and selects the assignment methodology best matching the case management department and his or her hospital’s budgetary and expected outcomes.

Case managers functioning in a unit-based model are geographically assigned to a patient care unit, whereas specialty-based case managers are assigned by physician or service line. In my experience, the major strategic benefit of the unit-based model is significant and associated with an immediate LOS reduction, whereas the benefit of the specialty-based model is the capture of a physician’s support and buy-in for quality-driven projects and other initiatives.

Check out the July 2009 issue of Case Management Monthly to read the full article, and discover the benefits of becoming a Case Management Monthly subscriber.

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