Unfortunately, care management does not always reflect the current knowledge base or evidence. In fact, it is impossible for a care manager to ever maintain a current knowledge level of all the many aspects of practice. The Institute of Medicine reiterates this: “No unaided human being can read, recall, and act effectively on the volume of clinically relevant scientific literature.”  (IOM, 2001, p.25).  The scientific literature is so complex and voluminous that it becomes a hurdle to the individual care manager in terms of integrating the findings into practice.

This presentation will provide care managers with an easy-to-use process of incorporating clinical practice guidelines into their practice using a simple model called the ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation. (Stevens, 2004). The model focuses on translation and integration of existing evidence into practice. The goal of translation is to provide a usable and relevant summary of the evidence in the form of clinical practice guidelines or other systematic summaries. The care manager will be led through the finding of appropriate guidelines by way of examples.

Integration of the summarized knowledge into the care management practice is perhaps thought to be simple; however, major aspects must be addressed if this stage is to be successful.  This step involves creative ways to change both individual and organizational practices. If this step does not occur appropriately, the care management organization will likely see the use of clinical practice guidelines as a failure. The care manager will be provided story examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts to integrate guidelines into practice.

Evaluation of the clinical practice guideline on patient and organizational outcomes needs to occur. The care manager will be shown how to evaluate a broad array of endpoints and outcomes important to patient care.  Finally, an overview will be provided emphasizing the integration of the care manager’s clinical expertise, the patient’s preference and values with the guideline in making a practice decision or change.  All these components are important and need to be considered when using clinical practice guidelines. 

1. Summarize reasons why case managers must practice based on proven evidence.
    
2. Examine an evidence-based practice model.
    
3. Identify measures of practice success.