Nurse manager opportunities in the new millennium: community-based disease management

Disease state management (DSM) offered in a community-based setting is convenient for the consumer, driven by "best practice" protocols, delivered by nursing specialists, supported by the newest information technology, outcome-driven, and the ultimate in clinically integrated delivery systems. Because the DSM is delivered in the lowest cost setting, the home or workplace, it also offers significant cost savings. Community-based DSM will likely be a central component of 21st century health care and holds many opportunities for entrepreneurial nurse managers. This article describes a community-based DSM that has achieved excellent clinical outcomes, high patient satisfaction, high physician satisfaction, and substantial cost reduction.