Inpatient Case Management
The Role of the Inpatient Case Manager (Discharge Planner)
Inpatient case managers (Discharge Planners) are registered nurses who work with the medical staff and the patient to arrange extended care at home or in the community prior to discharge from the hospital. The discharge planner functions as a consultant for the discharge planning process within a health facility, providing education and support to hospital staff in the development and implementation of discharge plans. Discharge planners coordinate all services allowing patients to smoothly transition to the next level of care while keeping costs to the patient at a minimum.
Discharge Planners do not make diagnoses or treatment decisions.
The discharge planner will assess a patient’s needs; create a plan of care; educate the patient and their family, and help the individual to make the best decisions they can about their healthcare needs prior to hospital discharge.
Discharge planning may be helpful if you have:
- Chronic or multiple health problems.
- A serious or terminal illness.
- More than one provider for different specialties.
- Lack of family or community support.
- Difficulty following your provider's plan of care.
Discharge Planners may assist you in obtaining:
- Home Health Services.
- Hospice Services.
- Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapy Services.
- Medical equipment, i.e. wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.
- Use of the TRICARE/Health Net system.
Inpatient Case Management/Discharge Planning Services
The provider and Discharge Planner work together to ensure that patients move onto another level of care:
- Home care
- Out-patient care
- Alternate acute care
- Long term acute care
- Nursing home care
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Home Oxygen
Discharge Planners are available in the following inpatient areas:
- ICU/SDU
- NICU
- 3 South - Women's and Newborn Care Unit
- 4 South - Medicine
- 2 North - Surgery
- 6 South - Behavioral Health