Biomedical subjects

Kate Curtis

Publications and source records attributed to Kate Curtis.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Trauma case management: improving patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to measure the effect of trauma case management (TCM) on patient outcomes, using practice-specific outcome variables such as in-hospital complication rates, length of stay, resource use and allied health service intervention rates. METHODS: TCM was provided 7 days a week to all trauma patient admissions. Data from 754 patients were collected over 14 months. These data were compared with 777 matched patients from the previous 14 months. RESULTS: TCM greatly improved time to allied health intervention (p<0.0001). Results demonstrated a decrease in the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (p<0.038) and a trend towards decreased patient morbidity, unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit and operating suite. A reduced hospital stay LOS, particularly in the paediatric and 45-64 years age group was noted. Six thousand six hundred twenty-one fewer pathology tests were performed and the total number of bed days was 483 days less than predicted from the control group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of TCM improved the efficiency and effectiveness of trauma patient care in our institution. This initiative demonstrates that TCM results in improvements to quality of care, trauma patient morbidity, financial performance and resource use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Coding errors and the trauma patient--is nursing case management the solution?

The aim was to investigate the accuracy of clinical information coding and the financial consequence for trauma patients at a tertiary trauma centre using the resources of trauma nursing case managers. Clinical data for admitted trauma patients in August and September 2000 were compared with data routinely obtained by trauma case managers on their daily rounds. We audited patient injuries, in-hospital complications, investigations, and procedures. Clinical information records requiring alteration were returned to the clinical information manager with additional information and re-entered into the clinical information database. 100 trauma patient records (15% of admissions for 2000) were audited. 28% of recoded records had to have their diagnosis related group (DRG) changed, which resulted in the identification of additional funding of over $39,000. We conclude that the implementation of episode funding for acute episodes, such as the complex trauma patient, is placing increased importance on accuracy of coding. The validity of coding is dependent on legible, comprehensive and complete documentation and is improved dramatically by using nursing case manager patient progress summaries.

Case Management↗

PubMed2002

The impact of trauma case management on patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations demonstrate that nursing case management in the acute care setting improves patient outcomes. However, these findings provide limited information specific to trauma patients. METHOD: The effect of trauma case management (TCM) was measured using practice-specific variables such as in-hospital complications, missed injury rates, and length of stay. Other measures included staff satisfaction and use of allied health services. Data from 148 patients with an Injury Severity Score < 16 in the 5 months after the introduction of TCM were compared with 327 patients from the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Results demonstrated a trend toward reduced length of stay overall, more so in the older and more severely injured. TCM greatly improved missed injury detection rates (p < 0.0015) and coordinated allied health use more efficiently (p < 0.0001). Staff surveys exhibited a perceived dramatic improvement in the effectiveness of patient care (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The introduction of TCM improved the efficiency and effectiveness of trauma patient care in our institution.

Adolescent↗