Chronic case management: Clinical governance with cost reductions

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases (CDNCD) pose a growing global health challenge.
• Multidisciplinary chronic disease management care programs (CDMCP) are emerging as a strategy to enhance patient care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of CDMCP in managing patients with CDNCD.
• To compare healthcare utilization and costs between patients in a CDMCP and those without.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2010 to 2012.
• Data from 1,256 patients with CDNCD, including those frequently hospitalized or using emergency care, were analyzed.
• Costs and utilization were compared between patients in a CDMCP and a control group with similar profiles.

Main Results:

• The study included 1,256 patients (51% male), with a mean age of 56.99 years; 73% were over 50.
• Ischemic heart disease (34%) and neoplasms (17%) were prevalent conditions.
• CDMCP monitoring resulted in a 79% reduction in hospitalization days and a 31.94% decrease in total healthcare costs.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary management programs for CDNCD patients effectively reduce hospitalizations and emergency visits.
• These programs lead to significant cost savings in healthcare.
• Implementing CDMCP positively impacts both patient outcomes and healthcare economics.