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When patients are hospitalized, they and their families
often require support. This support may be helping the family to
deal emotionally if the patient is terminally ill, making arrangements
for home health care or transfering the individual to extended care
after dismissal. In these cases, as well as hundreds of others,
the Case Management Department of Carondelet Health can help.
Case Management exists to serve the needs of patients
and their families. Each unit has a case manager assigned to it.
Case Management does not require a physician's order, but physicians
frequently request their patients be seen by a Case Management social worker or nurse. The professionals in Case Management, as part of
the health care team, act as diplomats, facilitators, liaisons,
good listeners and, most importantly, problem-solvers.
Meeting Your Needs
Following are just some of the services provided
through the Case Management Department.
Counseling: Everyone reacts differently to
illness, especially a serious or terminal illness. Sometimes patients
and/or family members find they are having a hard time coping with
what is happening. When this is the case, a trained social worker
can sit down with the patient and family and try to help them adjust
to the situation.
Discharge Planning: Case Management works
collaboratively with physicians to facilitate timely discharge or
transfer to an alternative level of care. When a patient is able
to be at home but extra help is needed, Case Management can assess
patient needs and eligibility for home health and other community
resources. If a patient is unable to return home directly, Case
Management can help plan a transfer to a skilled, intermediate or
residential facility. Arrangements can also be made for patients
with special needs in the areas of rehabilitation,
mental health, substance abuse, etc., to transfer to appropriate
facilities for follow-up care. In any case, the Case Management
staff will work to maximize continuity of care for the patient.
Information, Education and Referral: There
are a number of community agencies which can provide special services.
The Case Management Department has access to many types of agencies
and can refer patients and their families to agencies that may be
helpful for support and education. There also is much discussion
these days about advance directives, living wills or durable powers
of attorney. Case Management can provide information on each of
the alternatives and assist in pursuing, if appropriate.
Rehabilitation Unit: Patients on Carondelet
Health's Rehabilitation Units require extensive physical, speech
and occupational therapy. Case Management is available to provide
these individuals with emotional support; coordinate family conferences
with the patient, family, therapists and nurses to discuss the recovery
program; and work with the patient when it is time to make the transition
back home.
Maternal/Child: Case Management can provide
parents in need with nutritional information, counseling or financial
counseling. Single mothers who decide to parent their babies can
be provided with resources to accommodate their unique situations.
The special needs of birth parents who have made an adoption plan
for their child are also attended to by a case manager. When an
infant dies or a child is born with physical problems, it can be
a traumatic and uncertain time for the whole family. Case Management can provide families who have experienced
the loss of a newborn with emotional support as they begin their
grief process. Practical help is available to link families with
appropriate resources during this overwhelming period.
Call Us
There is no fee for Case Management involvement.
So, if you or a loved one is hospitalized and don't know where to
turn, call the Case Management office.
816-943-2570 St. Joseph Medical Center
or
816-655-5614 St. Mary's Medical Center
Make an appointment to talk with a case manager;
we're here to help.
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