FEBRUARY 1997, VOL 65, NO 2

weight, height, general health, diagnosis, scheduled surgical pro- cedure, and any mitigating condi- tions when planning intraopera- tive care and must communicate this information to other members of the surgical team.

DEBRA 1. FAWCETT RN, MS

Nu~si~a RESEARCH COMMITI'EE

BOOK REVIEW

USING NURSING CASE MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES By Michael Newell 1996,289 pp $49, hardcover

his book explores case man- agement as a clinical and busi- T ness tool and presents specific

characteristics and requirements for effective case management. As a consultant with a health care consulting fm, the author is well versed in changes in the health care industry.

agement as The author defines case man-

a collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates options and services to meet individuals' health needs through communication and available resources to pro- mote quality, cost-effective outcomes.

Case management has evolved in response to the changing require- ments of health care delivery sys- tems, particularly cost containment. Variations of case management are used by social workers, insurance representatives, mental health providers, and nurses. As nursing

traditionally has valued multidisci- plinary efforts that are client focused, this book defines case managers as nurses and case man- agement in terms of nursing theory, which focuses on the patient and his or her environment and health. Each aspect of this definition is explained in detail throughout the book.

The 10 purposes of this book are to

provide a broad overview of the various settings and forms of case management; present a theoretical model of case management congruent with nursing and general sys- tems theory;

m indicate the skill sets and training needs required for nurses to be successful case managers;

m show how case management is congruent with quality improvement theory; review health outcomes mea- sures to assist case managers in determining which patients need case management and to determine the appropriateness, effectiveness, and efficiency of proposed medical and rehabili- tative interventions; provide an ethical framework for case managers that goes beyond the justicebenefi- cence model that largely is inadequate;

focused goal setting that enable patients and family members to be their own case managers;

rn indicate the complexities and variety of case management practices through the case examples provided;

rn identify the types of activities case managers perform to assist in professional develop- ment and preparation forcer-

provide tools for patient-

tification; and provide a vision of the future possibilities of case manage- ment as changes in reimburse- ment, technology, and societal expectations influence the practice of health care. The purposes are met in clear,

readable print. The book is divid- ed into three parts. Part one defines case management and pro- vides information about the finan- cial benefits for and the profes- sional development of case man- agers. Part two reviews quality improvement, critical pathways, ethical frameworks, and patient- centered goal setting. Part three discusses the future of health care reimbursement and how case managers fit into this future.

There are several chapters of note. Chapter one is a theoretical framework that provides an excel- lent review of the models of health and illness and the nursing theory. Chapter five supports the standards of the Case Manage- ment Society of America with examples of job descriptions for case managers and assistants. Chapters six and seven document the process of quality improve- ment and critical pathways, which are relevant to any health care professional in the transition of collaborative care. I recommend this book for health care profes- sionals who are interested in the changes in the health care indus- try, particularly changes related to case management.

This book is available from Aspen Publishers, Inc, 7201 McKinney Cir, Frederick, MD 21701-9782; (800) 234-1660.

SUSAN S. PHILLIPS RN, MHA, CNOR

ALLEGIANCE DEERFIELD, ILL

CLINICAL PROJECT W M R

454 AORN JOURNAL