Community-based case management for positive outcomes.

After identifying high risk patients or high users of costly services, a rural community hospital implemented a community-based case management program that yielded positive results not only in cost containment but also in client-focused outcomes. The implementation of the program is described, as are the results of the outcomes measures affecting cognition, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and nutritional risk. Additionally, use of health care resources and associated cost-savings data are discussed.