Information technology implications of case management

Information technology is a critical component to implementing a comprehensive and effective case management process. The vendor marketplace is aggressively working to address gaps in function and integration. In the meantime, organizations must begin now to plan their case management processes. This is no small task. Most organizations are struggling to develop the necessary manual systems through consensus building on a multidisciplinary basis. Success in developing and implementing a good manual system, although cumbersome, is an essential prerequisite to automation. Major organizational growth and restructuring is already under way in most settings to respond to the pressures of health care reform. Availability of a tight case management process with appropriate information technology support is the key to success.