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Although home health agencies have focused on falls in the home for many years, their importance was brought into the spotlight when the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations included that category in the 2005 National Safety Patient Goals.
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In today's litigious society, it's more important than ever for case managers to take steps to protect themselves in case of a medical malpractice lawsuit, says Jacqueline Carolan, JD, an attorney with Fox Rothschild in Philadelphia.
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Faced with a legislative mandate to save $2.5 million over the 2004-2005 biennium, Montana Medicaid developed a three-pronged approach to helping its clients better manage their health.
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The Leapfrog Group, based in Washington, DC, has launched a new incentive program for hospitals that it hopes will do for the private sector what the Premier/Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project appears to be doing for Medicare.
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Blue Shield of California is taking a different approach to cutting health care costs rewarding members for engaging in activities aimed at improving their health. Members who are participating in the two-year pilot project log onto the Blue Shield web site and complete activities at least once a week for a minimum of 20 weeks to earn a reward of $75. Members who participate for 28 weeks earn $150. At 35 weeks, the cash reward goes up to $200.
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When an employee is out of work for an extended period with an injury or illness, his or her absence creates a physical and emotional void. The work needs to be done, and co-workers and supervisors look forward to the employees return. That is, unless the employee isnt really wanted back.
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Everyone who works in health care has a list of ideas for what needs to be done to improve client satisfaction, but one theme appears to be a common thread throughout: communication.
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Case managers know that their services potentially can benefit their clients health, wellness, and autonomy. That impact, however, may not routinely be measured against specific performance indicators. Case management services can produce improvements in health care quality and cost-effectiveness. Those beneficial results, however, may not be systematically tracked and analyzed.
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A series of award-winning population-based and multilayered disease management programs has resulted in high member satisfaction ratings, improved HEDIS scores, and decreased utilization over time by members in the program for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
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In an effort to spur documentation, standardize teaching, and ensure patients will be ready for a safe discharge, many institutions utilize checklists, guidelines, and teaching plans. However, the implementation of these tools doesnt necessarily guarantee the desired result will be achieved.
