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Published on: January 15, 2017
Decreasing avoidable hospital admissions with the implementation of an emergency department case management program
Ghazala Q Sharieff1, Matt Cantonis, Michelle Tressler
11Scripps Health, San Diego, CA.
Summary
Emergency department case managers (EDCMs) improve patient care and reduce hospital admissions. This pilot study shows EDCMs effectively manage admissions, discharges, and medication needs, leading to wider implementation.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- Emergency Medicine Management
Background:
- The Affordable Care Act mandates improved healthcare quality and cost reduction.
- Emergency departments face challenges in optimizing patient flow and resource utilization.
- The role of emergency department case managers (EDCMs) is being reevaluated to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an emergency department case manager (EDCM) pilot program.
- To assess the impact of EDCMs on hospital admission rates and quality of care.
- To determine the feasibility of integrating EDCMs into routine emergency department operations.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month pilot study was conducted in a single emergency department.
- EDCMs utilized evidence-based criteria to verify admission appropriateness in real-time.
- EDCMs facilitated inpatient vs. outpatient decisions, identified community alternatives, and initiated discharge planning for high-risk patients.
- Collaboration with pharmacists for medication management support was included.
Main Results:
- The EDCM pilot demonstrated success in optimizing patient care pathways.
- EDCMs effectively reduced unnecessary hospital admissions through evidence-based interventions.
- The program facilitated timely discharge planning and improved medication access for at-risk populations.
Conclusions:
- The implementation of emergency department case managers is a viable strategy for enhancing healthcare quality and efficiency.
- EDCMs play a crucial role in reducing hospital admissions and improving patient outcomes.
- The success of this pilot study supports the expansion of EDCM services across the healthcare system.
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