Case Management Focus: Standards of Practice for Case Managers

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -- The Standards of Practice for Case Management were developed in 1995 by the Case Management Society of America and have been updated every five years to keep up with the changing healthcare system. They are now in the 5th edition.

Dr. Geri Lamb, Founding Director of the Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research at the University of Arizona, wrote the forward to the 2022 Standards and noted how much has changed – yet how much has stayed the same since the standards were introduced in 1995.

As a practicing case manager since 1988, I agree with her. Our fundamental role and function have stayed the same: we, as professional case managers, work to ensure our patients receive safe, quality, equitable healthcare at the right time, in the least restrictive setting, for the most cost-effective price. What has changed is how we do our work. Technology and the fast pace and changing healthcare system have made our work challenging yet more important than ever.

Some important takeaways about the Standards worth consideration:

1. The Standards serve as a compass for all who practice case management. They stand as a blueprint for excellence in practice.
2. The Standards are used by case management leaders to develop policies and procedures that guide practice in every sector of the healthcare system.
3. They set the tone for the practice of case management.
4. The Standards are used when there is a question regarding practice or legal action. As a result, it is imperative that everyone who calls themselves a case manager knows the Standards and keeps up to date with the revisions and how they relate to the individual’s practice.
5. The Standards outline the qualifications for professional case managers, reducing title confusion in the healthcare system of who is and is not a case manager.
6. The Standards are an urgent call to all case managers to practice at the top of their license. As case management is a multidisciplinary practice, each professional must look at their scope of practice as it relates to individual discipline.
7. Case managers respond to the needs of clients and our healthcare system.
8. Case management practice strives to keep up with the central philosophy and goals of the practice.
9. Case managers adopt practice and evolve to deliver high-quality, safe, equitable, and affordable healthcare aims to those we identify patients who will benefit from having a case manager.

The work we do is incredibly important to the people we serve. Make sure you are documenting your work and the value you bring so all stakeholders are aware of your presence as a critical and influential healthcare team member. I urge to share what you do and to show the value you bring to your organization.

I encourage you to download a copy of the Standards of Practice for Case Managers from the Case Management Society of America. Take time to read them and share them with the members of your team. Implement them into your practice and refer to them to help you stay focused as you adapt to the changing healthcare system.

Refer to them often for inspiration about the values and philosophy of case management practice. They will help you stay grounded and focused on the work you do and the value you bring to your work.

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