Focus on case management: linking outcomes and accountability

The ability of case managers to rely on the traditional intuitive appreciation for the value of case management is declining. Case managers must accept the challenge of identifying, measuring, and reporting their outcomes, and clearly link outcomes with accountability. Practicing case managers must be as familiar with outcomes measurement and selecting relevant measures as their managers. The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) sponsored the development of the Council for Case Management Accountability (CCMA) to provide leadership in the development of outcomes. The work and mission of CCMA includes the creation of the "Spectrum of Accountability" and sponsoring three "State of the Science" papers addressing key case management outcomes areas.