Health Information Management

Case managers identify critical topics in survey

Case Management Insider, April 7, 2015

Case managers across the country have some unique challenges these days. With new regulations and new pressures to prevent readmissions, some experts say their job is more difficult than ever before.

Case managers typically juggle a high number of cases on a daily basis, some of which involve patients with complex needs.
 
HCPro wanted to find out which issues case management professionals feel like they need the most help with these days. So, we polled them to find out.
 
More than half (53%) of survey respondents were either case management directors or case managers.
Below are some of our findings.
 
Case managers are still struggling with observation status, according to the survey. This is hardly surprising considering applying deciding whether a patient should be receive observation services versus being admitted as inpatient has historically presented a big thorn in the side of case managers everywhere. The additional headache of the 2-midnight rule hasn’t made things easier. More than half (65%) of respondents said observation status was an essential topic for them.
 
When asked to rank the importance of other topics, respondents came back with the following:
  • Readmission prevention (62%)
  • Discharge planning (59%)
  • Communication with patients’ families (45%)
  • Emergency department case management (44%)
Other topics that also ranked highly were building relationships with physicians, handling complicated cases, and utilization review.
 
If you’re among those who are struggling with these topics, tune in to our print newsletter Case Management Monthly, which will publish articles about these topics over the next few months. The May issue will feature a story about Condition Code 44, which more than 71% of survey respondents said was very important or essential.

 

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