Two trends are shaping case management today. The first is continual need for concrete, documented, and measurable information on outcomes of nursing case management. The second is a need for more nurse case management research in order to understand how case management can influence the structure and process of health care.

This presentation will include a discussion of the outcomes of a pilot study conducted on two case management models utilized at an acute care pediatric hospital in Aurora, CO. One model was followed from 1992 through September 2007, the other between September 2007 and September 2008. The purpose of the presentation is twofold. One is to share information about the structure and evolution of the two models. The other objective is to report results of a pilot study that is in process and will be completed by the end of 2009.

The non-experimental retrospective pilot study will examine two models and the impact of their effect on patient outcomes, length of stay, and hospital re-admission. The research will examine potential differences in the two case management models. There is a lack of empirical research on specific case management models. Minimal research is published related to case management roles and structure to validate an organization’s performance (Huber, 2006; Thomas, 2009). As a result, the findings in this study will be used to develop another study that may help to fill the gap in case management literature that has existed since the discipline began.

1. Define four different models of case management commonly seen in case management practice.
2. Recognize and name the difficulties that exist for case managers since there are no standardized case management models.
3. Identify at least four reasons why it is important to continue research in the case management discipline.