Complex Disposition Case Program Delivers Exceptional Experiences
by Gerri Roobol
The Complex Disposition Case (CDC) Committee was established in 2002 when the Spectrum Health system identified a need for a system solution that could support the needs of a vulnerable patient population while achieving system-wide goals for bed utilization.
Since then, the program has facilitated personalized care plans for more than 145 patients. For every dollar spent by the CDC program, a cost savings of $3 is realized. The executive team who committed financial resources to initiate the CDC committee took a leap of faith that has resulted in more savings for the system than anticipated and has made significant differences in the quality of life for many individuals.
The Complex Disposition Case Oversight Committee is dynamic, patient-centered team that creatively resolves issues for complex patients by utilizing resources across the system and in the community. While our system regularly provides services for patients with complicated needs, this program was designed to respond to situations which seemed impossible to resolve.
The committee was created in response to system barriers to patient care coordination. Its goal is to manage patient placement, bed utilization and system care coordination for this population. The committee collaborates at a system level to ensure that financially, medically and psychosocially complex patients who would otherwise inappropriately remain in an in-patient bed without system intervention receive the best care available for their unique circumstances. Representatives from the Care Management Department and Spectrum Health Continuing Care post-acute entities (i.e., home care, hospice, subacute and long-term care) are on the committee. They work together synergistically to ensure that patients who meet CDC criteria are managed in the least restrictive environment with interventions that maximize health outcomes and minimize hospital readmissions. The program provides a safety net for patients, while removing financial barriers and helping patients to maintain stability at each point of care.
As appropriate, case managers or care providers who are working directly with the patient may present an issue to the committee for resolution. Team members from Billing and Reimbursement play an integral role on the committee by providing financial counseling to patients and by developing solutions to cover the cost of care.
The committee works together across the system to find creative solutions for patients — from purchasing mattresses, placing Trac Phones (pre-paid phone service) in patient homes for emergency and safety purposes and building ramps to cleaning unhealthy apartments. These tasks could not be achieved with traditional reimbursement or from community resources. These accomplishments, in addition to the comprehensive case management plan, help to break the cycle of readmits to the hospital and help expedite discharge. Without this option, the result would be a prolonged and minimally reimbursed stay, and less than optimal health status outcomes for patients.
The Complex Disposition Care program helps to ensure an exceptional patient experience for every patient.
