Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model

A case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that delivers comprehensive patient care while documenting progress.

It uses a critical pathway, a multidisciplinary care plan that outlines patient issues, essential interventions, and anticipated outcomes within an established time frame.

All healthcare team members follow the same critical pathway to monitor a patient's progress during each shift or homecare visit.

Variance charting documentation is required when the planned critical pathway's activities are unmet as expected or a patient needs to achieve the anticipated results.

Variance charting is a case management documentation method that records the unexpected event, detailing the event's cause, the actions taken in response to the event, and discharge planning.

The case management model offers various benefits, including improvements in communication, patient safety, quality care, and teamwork among healthcare providers.

On the other hand, the effectiveness of this model is limited to patients with fewer complications, and it proves to be less efficient when dealing with multiple diagnoses.