By Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Case in Point Magazine and the Case Management Resource Guide

The good news that has come out of the inability of the U.S. Congress to address comprehensive health care reform is that the health care industry has another chance to prove that, through collaboration, we as an industry can improve the safety, quality and efficiency of the care provided in the complex system we call health care. These efforts will in turn address how we can contain escalating health care costs which threaten our country’s economic stability.

Efforts to make improvements are taking place across the country, and case management programs are in the forefront of these efforts. I say this after working last week with the judging panel whose members reviewed the numerous entries that came in for the inaugural Case In Point Platinum Awards, which recognize the best of the best among case management providers.

It was encouraging to see the important work that is being done in each sector of the industry and the outcomes that are being achieved. Evidence from the entries include:

• Prevention strategies to change our focus from a sick system to a wellness-focused system are becoming mainstream.
• Collaboration between the health care team is becoming a reality as professionals are learning to respect each discipline’s contribution to the process.
• Stress is being placed on improving transitions of care.
• Efforts to ensure care is based on evidence, quality and safety to ensure patients receive care at the right time and the least restrictive setting.
• Strategies to prevent readmissions and setbacks that impact costs, but more importantly that impact the quality of life of patients.
• Programs to improve education and empowerment of patients and families to assist patients in navigating the complex health care system and being actively engaged in the process of behavioral change.

The programs detailed within most submissions were backed with evidence that validates the work and provides insight into what is working and must be tweaked as part of process improvement. There was clear evidence that all members of the health care team are essential components of these efforts and there is clear support from upper management which demonstrates commitment to system improvement.

The finalists for the Platinum Awards are listed on the Dorland Health website, and winners will be announced at a luncheon to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2010. All are invited to attend the event!

Our keynote speaker for the event will be Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute, which is a public policy research organization that she founded in 1995 to promote an informed debate over free-market ideas for health reform.  Ms. Turner has been instrumental in developing and promoting ideas for reform that transfer power over health care decisions to doctors and patients.  When asked to present, she responded, “I would be honored to speak at this event. I am very familiar with the important work case managers are doing and realize their efforts are essential to addressing the challenges the health care system faces.”

I would like to thank all of the organizations who responded to the call for entries. The response shows that the important efforts are being worked on and the professionals involved in these efforts want to get the word out on what they are doing. Case In Point will do its best to share the important work that is being done and to make sure that the work and words get out to mainstream media.

I would also like to thank our judges, who took the time to read each entry and score them to develop the list of finalists. In my opinion each entry was a winner because it showed such deep commitment to making improvements, which is what health care reform is all about.

Have a great week!