How do you use technology to support case management and care continuity in a remote or hybrid environment?

As a RN working remotely within a home health agency, the technology is limited by the care and quality that goes into the data entry from all areas within the organization, including the case manager.

Technology can be used in managing and curing patients even from remote locations . EHR, EMR, telemedicine and Tele ICU solutions can also be used in managing patients

Technology can be a big boon for case management and helps in continuing care management and helps in continuity of care.It can help in tracking patient data from even afar and also help in cases such as tele ICU and home care management

The key to using care planning software is to make the plan fit the individual. Technology and innovative ideas like “live QA” let case managers who have heavy caseloads, run the risk of repetitive documentation. Be careful. Also, we need to make electronic communication with our patients easier for them. How many people do you know who screen their calls? As the last of the Baby Boomers are getting ready to retire, the expectation to communicate easily with electronics has increased. We are all human though: Who can honestly say that they like patient portals? The industry must make HIPPA compliance and communication fit together to work easily without frustration for every user involved in case management efforts.

While other mental health services such as outpatient therapy are better suited for telehealth, case management, with the goal of integrating people into the community is best done in person. The Covid 19 pandemic forced case management to be delivered using unprecedented methods, challenged the status quo and created new options for meeting clients needs. Now, it is important to continue to use technology as applicable to assist in delivering evidenced treatment. In rural and underserved areas, telehealth can be offered to help fill gaps. However, telehealth is not the new case management. Being on a phone or a screen trying to help someone with severe mental health challenges will never be the same as walking beside them in person.

While Case Management can provide supports remotely; it important to maintain the human connection. It offers an opportunity to have organic conversations while bridging the gap.

I would like to say one thing about tech use: Garbage In = Garbage Out. Everyone involved in managing the care of another human being has to be committed to quality at every possible point of data entry. Data is only as good as what is put into a computer.