What is the main purpose of case management? And what are the steps involved in case management?
The fundamental goal of case management is to assist patients in receiving the highest calibre of treatment for successful results. Through case management, patients' and their families' access to the resources and knowledge they require for their care is facilitated. Case managers represent patients' interests and aid in communicating patients' requirements to healthcare professionals. To develop a strategy to get the best medical results, they work together with physicians, patients, and the patients' families.
Steps in case management:
1. Screening
The procedure for managing cases begins with this step. As the name suggests, it entails figuring out the case's characteristics and whether case management skills is required. In other words, it checks for sincerity or authenticity.
2. Assessment
A specialist will do a more thorough assessment of a case if it has been determined that it actually requires competence. The goal of this is to establish the scope of the issue so that a suitable remedy may be developed.
3. Considering Risk
To determine the degree of risk associated with a given issue, this stage is crucial. Case officers or managers will be able to prioritise it if they wish to do so after learning this. While relatively benign cases can be handled appropriately, urgent cases must be handled immediately.
4. Planning
As the name suggests, this stage entails creating a plan for handling a case and coordinating the patient's and the clinicians' efforts. It comprises setting objectives and developing a schedule of actions for achieving them.
5. Implementation
Putting the strategy into action and carrying out the associated tasks are part of this step. It include scheduling appointments, performing the necessary research, speaking with providers, describing the case in detail, and other tasks.
6. Follow-up
Assessing the plan's execution and the outcomes it produces is part of the follow-up process. Typically, case managers will gather pertinent data to evaluate the efficacy of their strategy.
7. Results Evaluation
This is the final action. It entails examining the results and gathering comments on the overall case and handling of it. It includes metrics for the length of time required, health outcomes, cost, workflow efficiency, patient experience, and so on. This aids case managers in evaluating their effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement.