Case management for the subacute patient in a skilled nursing facility

The goal of case management has always been to manage care, cost, and outcomes. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the subsequent implementation of managed care and the prospective payment system have introduced many challenges to the postacute care delivery system. The implementation of sound clinical, fiscal, and operational strategies is critical to the continued delivery of quality services and the maximization of revenue. The implementation of case management principles provides an opportunity to balance care with cost. This article focuses on the development and implementation of a case management program at a skilled nursing facility that specifically addresses the needs of a subacute population. The program's purpose is to promote efficiency, efficacy, and effectiveness of services for short-term subacute patients who will eventually return to the community. The long-term goal of the program is to classify all patients into case management categories and assign them to RN case managers or social workers, based on acuity and need.