THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INPATIENT CASE-MANAGEMENT - FACT OR FICTION

Production processes and service delivery in acute care hospitals call be fragmented. Inpatient case management has the potential to improve both processes and outcomes of hospital care. The author reports on 1 8 research studies that used inpatient case management as the treatmen t variable. These outcome studies, using case management, did not prov ide the evidence needed to address deficiencies in inpatient settings. However, these studies do provide clear direction for nurse administr ators and nurse researchers to take concerning the next steps needed t o address this critical issue.