Death and dying processes require sensitive discussion between patients, next-of-kin, and inpatient providers (i.e., attending/hospitalist physician) to facilitate decision-making and coordination of care. Social workers can facilitate such communication and may coordinate meetings between relevant persons.
Trauma-informed care is an approach to providing care that recognizes and understands how past trauma—such as child abuse, domestic violence, or events like natural disasters, car accidents, or crime—may affect a person so the provider can respond in a way that promotes safety and avoids re-traumatizing that person.
Time management in case management services across the continuum comprises three concepts: Cognitive work rather than multitasking, funneling the caseload to a workload, and fluid reprioritization of 8–15 “juicy jobs.”
Some patients seem resistant to interventions aimed at helping them avoid preventable hospital visits. These so-called high utilizers typically have multiple chronic conditions, along with social or psychological conditions and/or substance use issues that can interfere with effective care. AbsoluteCARE, an ambulatory ICU, was created for these patients.
