Case management refers to a collaborative method of assessment, planning, facilitation and promotion for alternatives and services to attain an individual’s healthcare requirements through communication and accessible resources to enhance distinctive cost-effective results (Williams & Wilkin, 2009).
Case management has been beneficial to a broad group of members in the society. The main beneficiaries include the aging, the young people, and the mentally and physically challenged. They have been able to get assistance on insurance and legal issues, and the management of those with chronic illnesses like breast cancer (Cohen & Cesta, 2005).
This has been achieved through the development of appropriate nursing programs and creation of employment opportunities. Case management is designed to ensure that appropriate plans are put in place to ensure successful medical rehabilitation. This essay discusses case management in patients of cosmetics and breast reconstruction from cancer for the wellbeing of the patient.
Patients must receive appropriate post-treatment care in order to reduce cost. After the patient has undergone surgery, efforts should be made to ensure that she undergoes chemotherapy or radiation treatment, gets the right diet, and other necessary rehabilitation measures for physical challenges (DelGiorno, 2006). For a successful management of the patient, comprehensive planning is required. The care giver must gather as much information as possible concerning the case at hand.
Resource availability is most crucial consideration during the planning stage (Hillegass, 2002). The success of the plan depends greatly on the availability of the necessary resources. During the primary stages of planning, methods of financing the entire case management should be identified as well as the availability of administrative services.
A number of factors are involved in the assessment and planning for case management. Patient’s willingness to participate as a partner in the management of their illness is one of the most important considerations. Direct involvement of the patient in the planning process will determine the success of the program (Hillegass et al., 2002).
Moreover, the role played by each participant, the healthcare providers, the family members, and the patient herself determine the outcome. According to Hillegass and colleagues, the patient and family members are quite instrumental and crucial in the formulation, continuous evaluation, and alteration of the drawn plan of care management (2002). This is a core principle of the care entire care management program.
The timing of care management is also very crucial in keeping the patient in the best condition possible. The process should start as early as the day of admission particularly for breast reconstruction clients. According to DelGiorno, a great case management model is designed to monitor care during the critical care phase and to foresee a discharge plan in advance at the time of admission (2006).
The approach of case management varies from one professional to the other depending on their expertise areas of training. Some case managers specialize in the development of a discharge plan which includes the identification of appropriate insurance cover and other legal issues that the patient may need upon discharge (DelGiorno, 2006). It is important to note that the plan drawn at initial stages is not final and should be subjected to continued evaluation against expected outcomes.
Necessary changes or alternations should be made accordingly in order to ensure quality care management. These are some of the important areas that must be considered in care management in patients of cosmetics and breast reconstruction from cancer (Cohen & Cesta, 2005). They are crucial for the wellbeing of the patient, shortened hospitalization, and the reduction of treatment cost.
References
Cohen, E. & Cesta, T. G. (2005). Nursing Case Management (4th ed). Elsevier Health Sciences.
DelGiorno, J. (2006). Trauma Case Management: A Role for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 13 (2), 70-73. Web.
Hillegass, B., Smith, D., & Phillips, S. (2002). Changing managed care to care management: Innovations in nursing practice. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 26 (5), 33-45. Web.
Williams, L. & Wilkins, H. (2009). Case Management (3rd ed). New York: McGraw Hills.