What role do case managers play in the primary nursing model?

What role do case managers play in the primary nursing model?

• A. Coordinate care of select clients to manage costs and ensure quality
• B. Administer medications
• C. Schedule shifts
• D. Conduct annual performance reviews

Answer: (A)

In the primary nursing model, the focus is on continuity and coordination of care led by a primary nurse for each patient. Case managers support this by coordinating all aspects of a patient’s care across disciplines, ensuring the care plan is carried out smoothly and efficiently. They assess needs, link the patient with appropriate services, arrange resources such as therapies, social work support, and post-discharge arrangements, and communicate across the team to keep everyone aligned with the patient's goals. This role helps balance cost and quality by avoiding duplications, delays, or gaps in care, while supporting the primary nurse’s plan and the patient's overall outcomes. Administering medications is a direct clinical task performed by licensed staff, not the case manager. Scheduling shifts is an operational responsibility, and annual performance reviews fall under supervisory or human resources duties.

In the primary nursing model, the focus is on continuity and coordination of care led by a primary nurse for each patient. Case managers support this by coordinating all aspects of a patient’s care across disciplines, ensuring the care plan is carried out smoothly and efficiently. They assess needs, link the patient with appropriate services, arrange resources such as therapies, social work support, and post-discharge arrangements, and communicate across the team to keep everyone aligned with the patient's goals. This role helps balance cost and quality by avoiding duplications, delays, or gaps in care, while supporting the primary nurse’s plan and the patient's overall outcomes.

Administering medications is a direct clinical task performed by licensed staff, not the case manager. Scheduling shifts is an operational responsibility, and annual performance reviews fall under supervisory or human resources duties.