The nation's largest standards-setting and accrediting agency has recognized case managers at Tucson Medical Center with a prestigious award.
Along with the American Case Management Association, The Joint Commission this month honored TMC with the 2010 Franklin Award of Distinction. The award is named for Benjamin Franklin, co-founder of the first organized hospital in the U.S.
Case management refers to managing a patient's stay at the hospital, including connecting the patient with aftercare if needed and making sure all members of the patient's "team," from doctors to social workers to nurses, are in communication.
There are more than 40 employees in TMC's case-management department, most of them registered nurses, hospital spokesman Mike Letson said.
"The Joint Commission applauds Tucson Medical Center for demonstrating how effective case management can improve the quality of health care," said Jean Range, executive director for disease-specific care certification with The Joint Commission.
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The award was presented earlier this month.
"As we continue to look for opportunities to reduce waste and improve the care we provide patients, effective case management will continue to be a vital part of the continuum of care," said Dr. Donna Fulton, vice president of medical affairs for TMC.
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 17,000 health-care organizations and programs in the United States.
