DorlandHealth

Managing Editor Richard Scott sits down with Betty Pyle, RN, MS, FAACM, CMCN, CMC, the Director of Care Management at Oregon’s Salem Hospital, to talk about her department’s role in expanding the use of electronic medical records, including obstacles she has faced and tips for creating a streamlined flow.

Could you describe your role at Salem Hospital? How large is the CM department there?

I am the Director of Care Management. The department is comprised of a staff of 49 including care management, social services, and spiritual care.

Leadership staff is comprised of a director and manager of care management, two assistant managers, documentation specialist supervisor, mental health evaluator supervisor, and the resource center coordinator. Staff includes care managers, clinical documentation specialists, appeals coordinator, discharge coordinators, Medicare specialists, social workers, social counselors, mental health evaluators, and chaplains. We are unit-based and cover 10 units, Rehab, and the ED.

I understand case managers at Salem have played a role in the education of physicians regarding electronic medical record use. First, what is the importance of this area today?

Every hospital must begin implementing the electronic medical record, as this is vital to ensuring that all providers have access to the patient’s medical history to ensure that they are able to address the patient’s needs appropriately. It leads to improved patient safety, efficiency and communication, and it reduces errors. No more illegible hand-writing issues to resolve. Keeping up with technology’s advances is simply the right thing to do.

Why the urgent call for action?

Richard Scott

In this inaugural edition of The CM Insider section of Case In Point Weekly—a section that will bring readers face to face with thought leaders across case management settings—we sit down with Marcia Colone, Ph.D., ACM, the director of UCLA Health System’s Care Coordination Department, to talk about her department’s guiding principles and key concepts, including advancing the plan of care and escalation.

Richard Scott: First of all, congratulations on your new role with UCLA Health System. How has your transition been so far?

Marcia Colone: My new role as director of care coordination at UCLA Health System started in May 2008 when I crossed the threshold of the new hospital due to open in June. UCLA Health System is rated by World News and Report as third in the nation. Its reputation is well earned as a world class medical facility. The opening of the long-awaited new building heralded a new beginning for the organization and for me as I began my new role as director.

The Department of Care Coordination was formed in 2005 and experienced many changes in leadership and focus. With nearly 100 staff, comprised of RN case managers, social workers and discharge planners on two hospital campuses, the respective roles were clarified and the vision was renewed upon my arrival.

RS: I understand you have a guiding principle at your organization. Can you talk about this principle and what it means.