BY SUSAN STERN, RN, CCM, MHA HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STARTED Near the start of the year 2020, public health officials reported the first COVID-19-positive cases in the U.S. and the onset of the pandemic. The first major problem the hospitals faced was expanding ICU bed capacity for COVID-19-positive patients. In…
BY MELANIE A. PRINCE, MSN, BSN, NE-BC, CCM October 11 – 17th was National Case Management Week, although many of us co-opt the entire month of October to recognize case managers with celebrations, proclamations, educational programs, awards, and many other activities. The CMSA 2020 theme was, “Case Managers Can________ (fill in…
BY ALTHEA HALCHUCK, EJD, CT, BCPA Death is the cosmic bell whose ring we hear, ever so faintly, even at the beginning of life.” – Ira Byock, M.D. As a long-time hospice volunteer, I have worked with many patients and their families. Every once in a while, one comes along that…
BY CAROLYN G DUNBAR, MSN, RN, CASE MANAGER The Job of a case manager To others is sometimes hard to describe Because we can take care of our Clients With dignity, without actually standing by their side Because in the healthcare field If you’re not specifically hands on Others may try…
BY KATHLEEN SOBCZAK, RN, BS, CRRN, CNLCP, CCM PROVERBS 31:8-9 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. I’ve had that posted over…
BY DEBRA ANDERSON, RN, CCM, KIM BUNAG, RN, CCM, IQCI, AND KATHLEEN MORIARTY, RN, MSN, CCDS, CCM OUR HISTORY & AN EVOLVING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT Children are not little adults; they are quite different. Pediatric case management is unique and incredibly challenging because our patients cannot always speak for themselves. We navigate care through…
Transition of Care From Pediatric to Adult Healthcare System: Advocating for the Medically Complex Adolescent BY AMY HENLEY, RN, BSN, MSN/ED, RNC-NIC There are many facets to nursing but none as all-encompassing as advocacy. We can have all the clinical knowledge and expertise in the world, yet if we do not…
BY JOAN SEVY MAJERS, DNP, RN, FACHE, CENP, CCM I was born and raised in New York City. More importantly, I graduated from the first school of nursing founded on the Nightingale Plan in the United States: Bellevue School of Nursing. My memories include floors filled with metal beds lining…
BY YVONNE STOLWORTHY, MSN, RN In January 2020, after 36 years as an RN, I retired. I left the bedside in ICU three years prior. It was time. I worked in quality services prior to my retirement. For the past year, I had been planning the date of retirement and…
BY MARY MCLAUGHLIN DAVIS, DNP, MSN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC, CCM, AND NANCY SKINNER, RN-BC, CCM, ACM-RN, CMCN CMSA and National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) member Stephanie Doibo and colleagues at Cleveland Clinic case manager meeting with Ohio Congressman David Joyce’s legislative aid. The past presidents of the Case Management Society of…