What is the role of an RN case manager in the acute care setting?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The role of an RN case manager in the acute care setting is to advocate for a patient's well-being through the evaluation and implementation of customized health care plans for patients. An RN case manager can be thought of as a logistical manager, guiding each patient through the entire stay from admission to discharge.

An RN case manager is responsible for safely seeing each patient through their long-term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) stay.

Their role involves establishing relationships with patients' families and caregivers, primary care physicians, specialists, other care providers, social workers, other case managers and nurses, acute and post-acute facilities, home health care companies, and health plans.

It also entails adhering to departmental goals/objectives, performance standards, regulatory compliance, quality patient care compliance, and policies and procedures.

Roles and responsibilities of an RN case manager in an acute care setting include:

Manages and plans for transitions of care, discharge, and post-discharge follow-up for patients admitted to key, high-volume/high-priority hospitals
Establishes a trusting relationship with patients and their caregivers
Collaborates with clinical staff to develop and execute the plan of care and achieve goals
Reports variations to PCP/Transitional Care Physicians (TCP) and implements actions as appropriate
Builds relationships with preferred acute care providers (hospitalists, specialists, etc.)
Directs referrals to preferred providers
Coordinates the integration of social services/case management functions in the pre-acute, ER, acute and post-acute setting
Coordinates the patient care, discharge, and home planning processes with hospital case management departments, and other healthcare facilities