Case
Management

Empowering responders,
transforming outcomes

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What is Case Management?

Case management has become an essential process over the past several decades. The term case management is frequently used, however, it is often misunderstood.

Part of the reason for this is that the term itself is tricky to define. Generally, though, case management is defined as a coordinated effort between community-based, often nonprofit, organizations that work to provide quality health care solutions that are customized to a client’s specific and individual needs.

Most often, case management is associated with traditional health services, however it can also be applied to.

employment searches, transportation solutions, and community involvement. The case management process is designed to be a collaboration between the certified case manager and their client to achieve the client’s goal.

Case management is a big world. Let’s breakdown some the elements of it to gain a better understanding of the process.

What is Case Manageer

Any conversation about case management wouldn’t be complete with addressing the question: Who is a certified case manager?

We’ve referenced the role several times already but it is certainly worth taking a look at the individuals who take this role on. A certified case manager is a trained health professional whose purpose is to better the lives and needs of their clients.

Case managers are dedicated and passionate individuals who are educated and certified in the field of case management. They work with their clients, the client’s family, and the client’s health professionals to get them the resources they need to meet their goals. Case management is difficult and time consuming work that requires tremendous focus and dedication.

What is Case Management Process?

Intake

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Case managers are dedicated and passionate individuals who are educated and certified in the field of case management. They work with their clients, the client’s family, and the client’s health professionals to get them the resources they need to meet their goals. Case management is difficult and time consuming work that requires tremendous focus and dedication.

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Needs Assessment

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This second step, assessment of client needs, builds on the information that is gathered in the previous step. During this step, the certified case manager identifies the client’s key needs, interests and goals. Specific and achievable goals are outlined and, just as important, potential roadblocks are honestly communicated. A very important aspect of this step is that it is revisited throughout the case management life cycle to reassess needs as conditions change.

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Service Planning

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In the third step, specific tasks are outlined that will help move the client toward their goal. This plan and the accompanying set of tasks is the culmination of input from the intake process, the needs assessment step, and input from the client’s health support group. This support group may consist of physicians, family members, and other health providers. In addition to specific actions outlined, a timeline is created to guide the process and maintain focus.

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Monitoring and Evaluation

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In the fourth and final step of case management, the certified case manager monitors the established metrics to assess progress and to determine if the organization has been able to help the client. It is critical that qualified data be used in this step rather than anecdotal evidence. Anecdotal evidence could swing the determination of progress wildly in one direction or the other based on a single compelling event. It is critical that this not happen if the client is to truly reach their goal.

Types of Case Management

There are many types and models of case management that are frequently used.

Here are some of the most common models in use today:

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Brokerage Case

In this model, the certified case manager focuses primarily on the needs assessment and planning phase with the goal of helping the client get the services they need. Case managers are not quite as close to the clients in the brokerage case management model as others. A big advantage of this approach is that the client has the opportunity to practice a higher level of independence .

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Clinical Case

If a more hands on approach is required than what is provided in the brokerage model, the clinical case management model may be adopted. In this model, the certified case manager puts together a comprehensive plan involving a wide array of services but the case manger works to develop a close relationship with their client.

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Strengths & Personal Empowerment

If a more hands on approach is required than what is provided in the brokerage model, the clinical case management model may be adopted. In this model, the certified case manager puts together a comprehensive plan involving a wide array of services but the case manger works to develop a close relationship with their client.

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Intensive Case

In some instances, it may be necessary to provide effective, higher quality services within a short time frame. That is the goal of the intensive care management model. This model necessitates a significant amount of one-on-one time between the client and certified case manager.

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Assertive Community Treatment

This model focuses on services being delivered by teams who share case loads and share services that can be delivered within the client’s natural environment. This model is designed to take services out of the hospital for the client’s comfort. It is truly a team effort, with all hands on deck working for the good of the client.

Role of Case Manager

Certified case managers have a wide array of responsibilities requiring a multi-faceted skill set

This variety in skillset is what makes case managers unique. They need to see things from a clinical and scientific perspective while also being highly empathetic. They must be able to understand how their client is feeling and be in-tune with the concerns of the client’s family while simultaneously taking a direct and objective view of the situation. In short, case management is not a simple job. It requires juggling several roles at the same time. The primary functions of a case manager include, and are certainly not limited to, the following:

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Advocate

Certified case managers become advocates on behalf of their client. They fight for them to gain access to the workforce and to health professionals in a timely manner. They are the contact point between their client and other stakeholders in that person’s life. Regulation and health care law is a complicated web and case managers are tasked with navigated that for their clients.

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Plan

Once a client’s needs are assessed, specific and measurable goals can be set. These goals guide each step taken in the process. It is important that goals be realistic and achievable.

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Organize

The is the ultimate goal of the entire case management process. Being able to achieve the goals set based on the client’s needs will determine whether the client and the program as a whole are successful.

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Empathize

The stakeholders within each Continuum of Care will have different priorities, outlooks, and interests. Bearing this in mind, a one-size-fits-all reporting package just will not work. PlanStreet offers customized reports so that you have the information you need in the format you need when you need it.

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Communicate

PlanStreet’s case management software excels in organizing and delegating tasks. Keeping on top of tasks and their dependencies can mean the difference between success and failure.

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Adapt

PlanStreet’s case management software excels in organizing and delegating tasks. Keeping on top of tasks and their dependencies can mean the difference between success and failure.

What is Case Management Software?

Today’s case managers have tremendous tools at their disposal. The development of case management software has created efficiencies that reduce laborious data entry and documentation and freeing up more time for case managers to devote to their clients immediate needs. Case management software is designed to help case managers with the unique aspects of their workload from intake all the way to monitoring and evaluation.

Benefits of a Case Management Software

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Best software for case management

PlanStreet offers a robust and comprehensive case management software. It is tailor made to suit the needs of today’s certified case managers. PlanStreet seeks to reduce manual process and overly burdensome paperwork by providing a safe and secure platform to work.

One of the most important aspects is the ability to take PlanStreet’s case management software anywhere and access it anytime. Being able to access secure information, forms, and client information at the office, at home, or in the field is invaluable for the modern day case manager.

PlanStreet’s case management software offers help for certified case managers at the intake, needs assessment, service planning, and monitoring and evaluation steps of the case management process.

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Key Components and Advantages

Some of the key components and advantages of PlanStreet’s case management software for certified case managers are: Configurable dashboards to help with reporting and service planning It is adaptable to the specific needs of individual clients and changing processes.

Regular data backups ensure that files are secure and preserved

Provides analysis for what action items are proving to be effective and those that are not worth the organization’s time Access anywhere with cloud based management software Streamlines processes and enhances efficiencies.