Abstract
This article describes how medical directors can use a strategic approach [Smart Case
Review (SCR)] to perform effective and efficient clinical case reviews and key medical
director oversight functions simultaneously. SCR can be done either on-site or remotely,
by using existing information in the medical record for a focused clinical discussion
of patient symptoms and issues while simultaneously evaluating related clinical practices
and facility processes and performance. Common problem-solving and cause identification
methods apply to both patient- and process-related reviews. This approach supports
effective and efficient medical direction and facility quality improvement. Unlike
most current approaches to quality assurance and performance improvement, SCR begins
by reviewing cases and then aggregates the findings, instead of vice versa. Although
the electronic medical record (EMR) facilitates the process, it can be done without
an EMR. Any medical director can potentially use this approach, and it is relevant
to any long-term and postacute care facility. This method could potentially transform
the approach to medical direction, evaluating quality and improving care, and the
nursing home survey process.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 29, 2021
Footnotes
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
