Care coordination in an academic medical center.

Care coordination/case management models provide a method to measure expenditures within the context of health-care outcomes. High costs are predictable in a high skill, technology-intensive service industry such as academic medical centers. A care-coordination model provides a means to reduce the cost per case and influence patient satisfaction. In this article, the authors describe a Care-Coordination Model for neurologically impaired patients in an academic medical center. The Care-Coordination Model serves as a structure for cost containment within a diagnostic reimbursement grouping (DRG) category and provides an opportunity to develop alternative care programs to support those disabled in their community setting. Clinical and financial outcomes are presented as well as follow-up in the form of a patient survey. The results demonstrate cost savings in several charge categories, a reduction in the length of stay, a reduction in the variation of clinical treatment, and an increase in patient satisfaction regarding discharge preparation.