Emergency department care managers can facilitate patient transitions between sites of care, according to a white paper from Huron Consulting Group.
The paper, "Empowering Case Managers in the Emergency Department: A Strategic Role Benefits Patients, Care Teams and Providers," explains several benefits of empowering ED case managers to be true care managers. Using University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville as a case example, the authors outline four ways in which ED care managers can smooth patient transitions in and out of the ED:
• Advocate for a proactive, accountable approach to planning and implementing a transition strategy.
• Update the ED team on transition planning for patients during ED flow rounds.
• When patients are recommended to transition to inpatient care, ensure the ED physician and admitting physician agree the patient meets the care guidelines for admission.
• Suggest alternative options for care in the community.
By including ED care managers as essential members of the ED care team, providers can help enhance the safety of care transitions and prevent readmissions, according to the white paper.
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The paper, "Empowering Case Managers in the Emergency Department: A Strategic Role Benefits Patients, Care Teams and Providers," explains several benefits of empowering ED case managers to be true care managers. Using University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville as a case example, the authors outline four ways in which ED care managers can smooth patient transitions in and out of the ED:
• Advocate for a proactive, accountable approach to planning and implementing a transition strategy.
• Update the ED team on transition planning for patients during ED flow rounds.
• When patients are recommended to transition to inpatient care, ensure the ED physician and admitting physician agree the patient meets the care guidelines for admission.
• Suggest alternative options for care in the community.
By including ED care managers as essential members of the ED care team, providers can help enhance the safety of care transitions and prevent readmissions, according to the white paper.
More Articles on Care Transitions:
Patient Safety Tool: Safe Transitions ToolkitPatient Safety Tool: 3 Chart Review Forms for Readmissions
Study: New Elderly Care Model Linked to Fewer Adverse Events