ABSTRACT
In this article the adoption of case management processes in US hospitals is discussed. While such process change is prevalent, there is a paucity of systematic empirical evidence that hospital case management improves efficiency or effectiveness. Using an institutional theoretical framework, motivations other than improved efficiency and effectiveness are proposed that may drive hospitals to adopt change to their technical core processes, in the form of case management. Further research using these propositions as an adjunct to cost-benefit analyses would be important to validate the rationale behind the widespread adoption of hospital case management processes.
Subject(s)
Case Management/statistics & numerical data , Diffusion of Innovation , Hospital Administration/statistics & numerical data , Models, Organizational , Nursing Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Attitude of Health Personnel , Coercion , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Critical Pathways , Efficiency, Organizational , Health Services Research , Hospital Administration/trends , Humans , Motivation , Nursing Service, Hospital/trends , Organizational Culture , United StatesABSTRACT
In an environment of change, innovators or entrepreneurs emerge to develop new methods and processes of delivering health care in a way that lowers the overall costs of care while improving outcomes. This qualitative study looks at the factors that motivate nurse entrepreneurs as well as the characteristics of nurse entrepreneurs and their business ventures. The rationale for health care managers to capitalize on nurse entrepreneurship is discussed as an effective method of strategic adaptation.
