CMS has seen an increase in the number of extended observation stays and wants to know why. That was the reason it gave for holding an August 24 listening session regarding the matter. The reason providers misuse observation services may not have been as interesting as the solution proposed by some callers—namely, that CMS should abolish observation services.
Project BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older Adults Through Safe Transitions) is gaining popularity among providers nationwide as a method to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. Since the program began in September 2008, more than 1,400 facilities have downloaded the free toolkit from the Society of Hospital Medicine’s (SHM) website, and 65 sites have enrolled in the mentorship program. (See the “All about BOOST” sidebar below for more information on Project BOOST.)
As the case manager’s role has matured, specific best practices have proven to be a valuable conduit to the provision of care coordination, outcome achievement, and quality of care.
One setting alone doesn’t possess all the services required to fulfill a patient’s needs. Employees at each setting have different talents, skills, and knowledge needed to achieve all the care needs.
Private care managers assist patients who have complex care needs such as coordination of multi-specialty appointments, medication management, and transportation.
