CMSA Conference: A Day of Recognition

The closing day of the Case Management Society of America’s annual conference recognized two leaders who have made significant contributions to the practice. Nancy Skinner received the 3^rd Lifetime Achievement Award, and Sherry Aliotta received the Case Management Adherence Award. Both of these pioneers gave moving speeches that demonstrated their commitment to the practice and to the patients their work and dedication has touched.

Following the awards, Tim Rothwell, Chairman of Group Pharmaceutical Activities, sanofi-aventis U.S., took the podium. Mr. Rothwell talked about why he and his company have invested and partnered with CMSA to create the National Transitions of Care Coalition. Many of you may think you know the answer to this question, but it may come to you as a surprise why sanofi-aventis has passionately backed and advanced this program. The reasons stem from a personal encounter that Mr. Rothwell had with a neighbor during a backyard barbecue. His neighbor talked to him about his 80-year-old mother-in-law and the complications she encountered as a patient in our health care system.

The story is not unusual — medication errors, complications, unexpected surgery, increased length of stay, pain, suffering, inconvenience of the patient and the family — it’s the same story you have heard over and over again.

This time, Mr. Rothwell had something to share with his neighbor about how to make the experience better. He talked to his neighbor about getting a case manager and working with the case manager to ensure that his mother moved through each setting in an organized manner and that she had certain tools, such as a medication checklist. He offered his friend advice and pointed him to a website that would equip him with a medication list, as well as a list of providers and dates of seminal events so that others would be able to “see the entire picture” and treat the woman with respect and expertise. And all of this because of the National Transitions of Care Coalition. If you have not yet seen the site, click here.

As I sat there and listened to Mr. Rothwell, I said to myself that our day has really come. This man, head of the U.S. operations for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, “gets it” and is able to tell “our” story. He understands the role we play and is able to articulate with conviction that the tools we have developed over the past year are worthwhile and make a difference in the lives of patients.

These tools are like personal narratives: they tell the patient’s history, alert practitioners to any allergies and challenges and grant those who treat patients important clinical and personal information so decisions can be based on true data.

As I left the hall after the closing keynote speaker, I heard many people say how proud they were of CMSA, that they are really making a difference in the world of health care and opening new roads for case managers. It has been a long road, but we have arrived. Now it is up to each of us to continue to work to break down silos and improve the health care system. If we are honest with ourselves, we are all patients and we want an efficient and effective system to be there when we need it.

From the general session we headed back to the exhibit hall for the final day. As I handed out the last of our pink T-shirts, I wondered about the number of people who came to the show vs. the number of people who are involved in the practice of case management and could not attend. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 professionals working in the practice. Why so few case managers? Yes, there were several companies who sent a number of people, but there were also those who only sent one person to the show. 

It is our hope that one day every case manager will be able to hear these powerful speakers, learn from experts or share a table over lunch with a new contact who allows them to see a new way of doing something. This is what attending a national conference has the potential to deliver. 

As you return home from the show, make a note to talk to your supervisor or manager to discuss how you can be part of the 2009 Case Management Conference. The Call for Papers is up on the CMSA website until August 31, 2008. 

I hope you enjoyed the daily updates from the 18^th annual CMSA Conference. Thank you to all who provided positive feedback, it is greatly appreciated. 

Talk to you next week! 

Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Across My Desk, Case in Point magazine, and the Case Management Resource Guide
allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com