Case management hospitalario (manejo de casos): una forma alternativade manejar pacientes de alto riesgode estadías hospitalarias prolongadas,de reingreso, o con múltiplesrequerimientos al momento del alta / Hospital case management

ABSTRACT

Due to demographic changes, rising health expenditures, and the reimbursement mechanisms of insurers in the past 30 years, physicians and nurses have had to changethe way services are delivered. Concepts such as cost effectiveness and patient safetyhave also led to the emergence of case management. Case management, usually ledby nurses, is responsible for early recognition of patients at high risk for prolongedhospitalization, readmission, a high level of consumption of healthcare resources,and mobilizing strategies to discharge patients as soon as possible in a safe mannerwith appropriate medical follow-up. Additionally, the case management teams areresponsible for patient education in a systematic way, for proper codification ofdiagnoses, and for ensuring proper documentation at the moment of discharge. Casemanagement has proven to reduce the length of hospital stays and readmissions. Italso facilitates the care of patients who are overwhelmed by the increasingly complexhospital procedures that they must endure. This is an exhaustive review of the literature about hospital-based case management, its origins, characteristics, types, andhow it has produced a positive impact on patient safety and metrics within hospitals.