What is the number-one story you would share with another member of the healthcare team, consumer, or employer to demonstrate the value case managers bring to the system?

We received the following posts last week in response to the above question. These two stories, sent in by fellow case managers. illustrate the art of case management in action. If you have a story you would like to share that shows your creativity, email me at allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com.

Care management changes lives
Submitted by Patricia Greenleaf

In 2003, I was contacted by Adult Protective Services (APS) to utilize care management for a temporary guardianship client. This woman was in a nursing home and a victim of troubled family dynamics. She desperately wanted to go home to be with her beloved dog.

A care management assessment with recommendations was completed. The recommendations were accepted, and in less than one month, the woman was home with round-the-clock personal care assistance. An arrangement for a weekly RN visit was also put in place, and an out-of-state, permanent guardian has been appointed. They call regularly and continue to enlist care management to assist with meeting my client’s needs. I continue to care manage this case, recently adding hospice to the care team.

Sadly, my client’s dog has passed away, but compassionate caregivers regularly bring their own pets in to brighten her day. On good days they take her out for a walk or ride. The caregivers are wonderful, which has been essential to her quality of life, and has enabled her to remain home for three quality years. This case shows how care management drastically changed a life!

Patricia Greenleaf, LPN
Care Manager
Bridges Home Care
1-800-876-9212 Ext 102
pgreenleaf@bridgesbiz.com

Just part of a care manager’s job!
Submitted by Rhonda Goldberg

As a professional geriatric care manager, I am on call 24/7 for my clients.

This is the story of BE, a 96-year-old female who was living in an assisted-living facility. I helped transition her from home, where she had companion care five hours a day, seven days a week, because of memory problems, lack of socialization, etc.

BE fell in the ALF, fractured her right hip, had surgery, got rehab and returned to live in the ALF. I went to her follow-up orthopedic appointment with her and saw her x-rays. The doctor was pleased, and the recovery was good.

Three months later, I received a call from the ALF, at 3:15AM, that BE fell and was being sent to the ER. When I arrived in the ER, the doctor told me that BE had a fractured right hip and she would need surgery. I told him about her previous surgery, but he insisted that he could not see any metal on the x-ray he was looking at. I encouraged him to read the orthopedic doctor’s report, as the surgery was done in the same hospital. He did, but still insisted that he did not see any metal. When an x-ray technician passed, I questioned her, and as it turned out, the doctor was looking at BE’s first x- ray — the wrong x-ray. In fact, BE had just fractured her pelvis.

The hospital did not want to admit BE because of a fractured pelvis, per Medicare regulations, yet BE needed more care than the ALF could provide. She would have to go to a skilled nursing facility, private-pay, because she would not have had a three-day hospital stay. I talked to the doctor about BE’s other medical conditions and she was admitted for four days. She then qualified for Medicare to pay for her skilled rehab recovery, thus saving her and her family thousands of dollars.

Just part of a care manager’s job.

Rhoda Goldberg, BA, OT, CMC
WE CARE ELDER SERVICES, Inc.
5233 Canterbury Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34243
941-360-9393
www.wecarelderservices.com
rowecare@aol.com

Dear Anne,

I would love to read and complete the continuing education article you referenced. Do you have that information?

Thanks,

Joyce Niederpruem RN
Southwest Solutions, Inc.
Geriatric Care Management
Sarasota, Florida
southwestsolutions@comcast.net
941-953-9757

Editors Note: If anyone would like a copy of the CE Program entitled: Unlock Your Creativity by Rita H. Losee, RN, SCD email me at allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com with your fax number and I will fax you a copy.

Anne,

I particularly enjoyed this note and shared it with all my case management staff. Thanks! Darlene

Darlene Commons, RN, CCM, CDMS
Assistant Vice President
Medinsights, Inc.
450 E. 96th St., Suite 330
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-815-5400, ext. 248
Fax: 317-815-1231