Care Management
Berger Health System Inpatient Care Management is a collaborative process that assesses, implements, plans, coordinates, monitors, evaluates and advocates for options and services to meet an individual's healthcare needs. This is accomplished through communication and the provision of available resources to promote quality cost-effective outcomes through the continuum of care.
The Care Management staff consists of registered nurses, licensed social workers and a case management assistant/secretary.
Some of the services provided by the Care Management Staff consist of:
- Home Care
Arrange for home medical services and follow-up care, mother-infant referral, medical equipment use/leasing. - Extended Care Placement
Assist with decisions regarding nursing home care, placement and making specific arrangements. Available to assist with other living arrangements, such as assisted living, group homes, etc. - Specialty Hospital Transfer
Provide contact with other hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and residential treatment centers. - Transportation
Coordinate transportation at discharge and for outpatient treatment. - Advocacy
Support a patient's right and responsibility to participate in decisions regarding treatment, Advanced Directives, DNR status, etc. Care Management can provide information on Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOAH) and discussion regarding end-of-life, life support and related issues. - Information and Referral
Provide information and referral to appropriate community resources, such as support groups, financial assistance/aid, etc.
The professionally trained registered nurse in Care Management works using a collaborative process to assess, plan, monitor, and evaluate options of care to meet an individual's healthcare needs. The RN care coordinator works closely with the providers to assure the hospitalization is appropriate and well documented. The RN care coordinator provides information to the insurance companies and is able to answer questions one may have regarding the patient's coverage; commercial, Medicare and Medicaid.
The professionally trained social worker is also available to assist with other complex issues such as emotional stress of illness and hospitalization, drug and/or psychiatric issues. Specific information and referrals can be made for support groups, chemical dependency treatment programs, psychiatric care and new parent resources.
Care Management at Berger Health System is available by calling 740.420.8368 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. After hours and on weekends, Care Management can be reached via the hospital operator and the on-call schedule.