Adult/Gerontological Health Care I

Case Management Project, Paper & Presentation

Major Project: Critical thinking and Evidenced Based Practice for Case Management 

Develop a "real" critical path and an "ideal" critical path on one patient problem or case type within the student’s specialty area. A matching care map that addresses critical and non-critical outcomes for discharge will also be developed. The initial pattern of care ("real" critical path) should be developed through a process of chart review. The ideal pattern of care ("ideal" critical path) should suggest revisions in the "real" path based on theory, research, and consultation with other disciplines. The "ideal" critical path should be summarized in a one-page format to share with other students.

Project will be completed in three parts over the course of the semester with projects  final due on noted dates.

Part 1, Available resources  (8 points) 

a. Brief review of literature on topical area and identification of community resources available to assist patients/families/providers. Chroniccare.org may provide helpful resources to begin thinking about:   http://www.improvingchroniccare.org/  

This summary should make a case for the importance of the project and demonstrate appropriate use of literature and identification of resources.  Share a 1-2 page summary at the Web-Board by assigned date

Part 2, Problem Summary  (8 points) 

b. Chart review to identify “real” pathway for care 
c. Articulation of potential problems leading to excess resource utilization
d.  Problem summary from chart review

Share a 1-2 page summary at the Web-Board by assigned date.

Part 3, Roundtable Presentation to Class  (12 points)

e. “Ideal” critical path development/care map based on “expert” resources
f.  Rationale why changes from “real” to “ideal” would improve quality and cut costs. 
g.  Provide 2-3 page summary to class of key findings. Include common problems leading to excess resource utilization with this particular type of patient; “Ideal” critical path cost differences (differences between the "real" and "ideal" path). 
h.  Provide annotated outline of  project to instructor

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