Just a few years ago, few employers required certification for new case managers. Today, more than one-third seek this stamp of approval when they bring someone new on board.
For many patients, home health services can mean the difference between a successful recovery and a hospital readmission, but patients who need services go without because of confusion over eligibility requirements.
Improving the hospital experience for patients, improving the quality of care, and reducing costs were the goals when case managers at Martin's Point Healthcare in Portland, Maine, stopped working independently and started working as teams.
Physician advisors provide a critical link between case management and physicians; it's a position that requires deft communication skills, regulatory know-how, and a stiff backbone.
Leaders there established multidisciplinary barrier reduction teams (BRT) in late 2009, which are designed to increase efficiency and improve communication at the organization. The teams give staff members a way to speak up about issues that may hinder patient care and the discharge process.
