An acute care case management model for nurses and social workers

The professions of nursing and social work hold a rich history of case management. Each bring to the health care arena skill sets needed to facilitate patient care for the hospital market share. Blending nurses and social workers in a seamless case management model was the challenge for a hospital in the Midwest. In this article, the author discusses the development of a hospital case management model using the expertise of nurses and social workers. Information is presented on the objectives, processes involved in the transition to case management, implementation, roles of the nurse and social worker, barriers to the program, and education tools for the staff. Also presented are length of stay outcomes, level of satisfaction among staff members, and future plans.