Case Management

Work with bed flow coordinators to improve throughput

Case Management Monthly, January 1, 2011

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Prior to the establishment of the bed flow coordinator position, the nursing supervisor and the case managers were responsible for facilitating patient throughput. Although the bed flow coordination is often incorporated into the case management director role, there are instances when a separate position is created. In these cases, the roles of the case manager and bed flow coordinator should be clearly defined and a process for cooperation between the two positions outlined.

The bed flow coordinator ensures bed availability and minimizes ED diversion. A dedicated bed flow coordinator concentrates his or her full attention to the organization’s throughput. 

When comparing the roles, the difference comes down to focus. The bed flow coordinator’s focus is global; he or she is responsible for the patient throughput of the entire facility. The case managers are geographically focused, making sure the individual patients move through a given unit. 

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