Role restructuring: nurse, case manager, and educator.

A quality improvement team of nursing managers and staff nurses planned and implemented a new delivery system that combines a team nursing method of care delivery and a unit-based case manager. The new unit-based case manager role is unique because in addition to case management, the role is also responsible for the education of staff on an assigned unit and meeting the educational needs of patients/families. The role has proved to be cost effective and has improved patient outcomes. This model is an effective delivery system for hospitals with limited resources for bedside care.