Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects millions of Americans and is the third leading cause of death in this country. It is also a major source of preventable hospital readmissions.
Changes may be afoot for the 2-midnight rule. CMS' 2015 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule seeks opinions about an alternate payment for short hospital stays.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after someone experiences, sees, or learns about a traumatic event (e.g., combat exposure, child sexual or physical abuse, terrorist attack, sexual/physical assault, serious accident, natural disaster). Most people experience some stress-related reactions after a traumatic event. A person whose reactions do not go away over time and disrupt his or her life may have PTSD.
With new regulatory pressures and a changing political landscape, the world of case management is changing. One trend you may notice is an increase in the number of outside organizations, such as physician's offices, insurance companies, and postacute facilities that are hiring their own case managers to help manage patients. These individuals are often referred to as liaisons.
