Managing patient care in a case management model: elements for success.

The challenge in the current health care environment is providing high-quality patient care at low cost. This shift to managed care has made the delivery of patient care more complex. Case management models continue to evolve to meet the demands for cost-effective care with measurable quality outcomes. Essential management skills for first-line managers and case managers are discussed. Education, training, and performance requirements for a case management model are presented. The development and implementation of clinical protocols as a tool to guide the delivery of patient care across the continuum and the requirement for variance analysis are included.