Belleville, Ill. – Oct. 8, 2008 – Hospitals provide a significant benefit to U.S. residents through their care, and case managers are one important piece of the provider team, according to the American Case Management Association, which is observing National Case Management Week on Oct. 12 to 18, 2008. Organizations, including Allsup, a national Social Security Disability Insurance representation company, are helping to raise awareness about the significant role of case managers in healthcare settings, including hospitals.

 

The role of hospital case managers often is not as noticeable to patients as their physician or bedside nurse, but case managers are one of the most influential professionals in a hospital, according to the AMCA. Case managers’ efforts for patient education, care coordination and service support have a significant impact on patient care and the efficiency of hospitals and healthcare systems.

 

Rising healthcare costs nationwide illustrate just one aspect of the challenge facing hospitals. In 2007, U.S. healthcare spending was more than $2.25 trillion, or about $7,438 per resident, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This a 40 percent increase over costs of $1.6 trillion in 2002.

 

Hospital case management professionals are clinically experienced nurses and social workers who work with patients, their families and the healthcare team to ensure that the highest quality care is delivered to a patient during their hospital stay, and that this care is delivered efficiently—ultimately ensuring optimal outcomes for both the patient and the healthcare provider. In addition, many case management departments are catalysts for process improvement in their organizations, identifying inefficiencies and creating solutions and helping their organization adapt constantly to the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare.

 

National Case Management Week (October 12-18, 2008) is an opportunity to recognize these professionals and the contributions they make to patient care and the healthcare system upon which we all depend. The theme for National Case Management Week 2008 is “Communication, Coordination, Collaboration,” which describes three key elements of how hospital case managers create positive outcomes for both patients and hospitals.

 

Allsup is observing National Case Management Week with free posters available to hospital based case managers, clinics and other community groups by calling Karen Hercules-Doerr at (800) 854-1418, ext. 5770.