The role of the case manager in the healthcare system has been steadily increasing as the need to manage healthcare expenditures and utilization grows. Whether by phone, in the home, in the emergency room, in the physician's office or at the time of discharge, case managers are charged with helping patients gain access to needed medical, social, educational and other services for chronic conditions.

During this 45-minute webinar, Diane Littlewood, RN, and Joann Sciandra, RN, both regional managers of case management for health services at Geisinger Health Plan, examined the key components of an effective case management program — from the background of the case manager to their responsibilities and training. They shared strategies for training case managers, managing case loads, case management tools, techniques, principles and practices and case management stratification.

Here's what participants said about the live program:

The conference provided a great example of system redesign, said the director of a quality improvement organization.

Presenter: Diane Littlewood, RN, Regional Manager of Case Management for Health Services, Geisinger Health Plan and Joann Sciandra, RN, Regional Manager of Case Management for Health Services, Geisinger Health Plan

Listen to Joann Sciandra's pre-session comments: Sciandra attributes Geisinger's reduction in hospital readmission rates to this single strategy.

Available on the HIN web site for an on-demand re-broadcast or as a CD-ROM or training DVD.

The training DVD includes reproducible slides and completion certificates to document training.

You can listen to this program right in your office and enjoy significant savings – no travel time or hassle; no hotel expenses. It’s so convenient! Invite your staff members to gather around a conference table to listen to the CD, training DVD or the On Demand version.