Effect of case management based on Omaha system on clinical symptoms and quality of life of coronary heart disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

To investigate the effect of case management (CM) based on the Omaha system on clinical symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of coronary heart disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with coronary heart disease after their first PCI in the People's Hospital of Longhua in Shenzhen were randomly divided into a control group (received CM based on the Omaha system) and an observation group (received routine nursing) using a random number table. Nursing problems and the knowledge-behavior-status (KBS) score of patients were evaluated on the day after surgery, on the day before discharge, at 5 weeks after discharge, and at 12 weeks after discharge. The QOL of patients was evaluated using the coronary intervention coronary revascularization outcome questionnaire (CROQ-PTCA-Post, Chinese version) score on the day after surgery and at 12 weeks after discharge. A total of 104 patients completed the study (51 in the control group, 53 in the observation group). There were no significant differences in baseline data between the 2 groups (P gr.05). The main nursing problems were circulation, mental health, and pain in both groups on the day after surgery, whereas they were circulation, sleep and rest, and mental health after nursing. There were no significant differences in the KBS scores of the co-existing nursing problems on the day after surgery (P Th.05). The KBS scores of the co-existing nursing problems were significantly increased between the 2 groups (P < .01) on the day before discharge and at 5 weeks and 12 weeks after discharge. The KBS scores of the most co-existing nursing problems in the observation group were significantly higher at 12 weeks after discharge than at the day before discharge and at 5 weeks after discharge. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the CROQ-PTCA-Post scores on the first day after surgery between the 2 groups (P gr.05). These scores were significantly increased between the 2 groups at 12 weeks after discharge (P < .01). CM based on the Omaha system for patients after PCI can effectively improve the KBS scores and QOL of PCI patients with postoperative nursing problems, making this approach worthy of clinical promotion.

Integration of Acute Malnutrition Treatment Into Integrated Community Case Management in Three Districts in Southern Mali: An Economic Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Enabling community health workers (CHWs) to treat acute malnutrition improves treatment access and coverage. However, data on the cost and cost-effectiveness of this approach is limited. We aimed to cost the treatment at scale and determine the cost-effectiveness of different levels of supervision and technical support. METHODS: This economic evaluation was part of a prospective nonrandomized community intervention study in 3 districts in Mali examining the impact of different levels of CHW and health center supervision and support on treatment outcomes for children with severe acute malnutrition. Treatment admission and outcome data were extracted from the records of 120 participating health centers and 169 CHW sites. Cost data were collected from accountancy records and through key informant interviews. Results were presented as cost per child treated and cured. Modeled scenario sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine how cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness estimates change in an equal scale scenario and/or if the supervision had been done by government staff. RESULTS: In the observed scenario, with an unequal number of children, the average cost per child treated was US$203.40 in Bafoulabé where a basic level of supervision and support was provided, US$279.90 in Kayes with a medium level of supervision, and US$253.9 in Kita with the highest level of supervision. Costs per child cured were US$303.90 in Bafoulabé, US$324.90 in Kayes, and US$311.80 in Kita, with overlapping uncertainty ranges. CONCLUSION: Additional supervision has the potential to be a cost-effective strategy if supervision costs are reduced without compromising the quality of supervision. Further research should aim to better adapt the supervision model and associated tools to the context and investigate where efficiencies can be made in its delivery.

[Reduction in malaria case-fatality rate after implementation of an emergency plan for improved case management in the Bittou health district, Burkina Faso]. / Réduction de la létalité du paludisme après la mise en œuvre d'un plan d'urgence pour l'amélioration de la prise en charge des cas dans le district sanitaire de Bittou, Burkina Faso.

Objective: To observe the evolution in malaria case-fatality rate among children under 5 years of age receiving care at the Bittou district hospital (CMA) after an improvement of the care practices. The management team implemented an emergency plan in 2016 with 5 components: i) health facilities staff sensitization to enable rapid referral of severe malaria cases to CMA; ii) reorganization of CMA paediatric emergencies to make a physician as the mainpoint of contact; iii) ensuring availability of supplies for severe malaria case management, including the availability of blood; iv) daily medical check-ups of hospitalized patients; v) reinforcement of clinical staff skills at all peripheral health facilities. At the same time were introduced i) free care for children under 5 years; ii) municipality involvement to finance ambulance fuel for the referrals of patients; iii) free blood collection in professional schools and soldiers; iv) a free telephone line between the health structures; v) presence of 5 medical doctors at the CMA. Material and methods: Analysis of data collected from the statistical yearbooks of the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso from 2014 to 2021. Results: The malaria case-fatality rate (CFR) in under-five in the Bittou health district (1.39% and 1.52% in 2014 and 2015) was higher than the average for all districts in this region (1.08%). After implementation of the emergency plan, the malaria CFR in Bittou declined to 0% in 2016 and 2017, 0.2% in 2018, 0% in 2019, 0.07% in 2020 and 0.05% in 2021. The same trend was observed at the CMA level with 2.94% and 2.59% in 2014 and 2015, 0% in 2016 and 2017, 0.38% in 2018, 0% in 2019, then 0.17% and 0.47% in 2020 and 2021. Conclusion: Malaria control remains a challenge in Burkina Faso. However, the improved malaria CFRs observed in Bittou show that effective involvement of health district teams could potentially contribute to substantial reductions in malaria case-fatality risk.

Evaluation of integrated community case management of the common childhood illness program in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia: a case study evaluation design.

BACKGROUND: Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) of common childhood illness is one of the global initiatives to reduce mortality among under-five children by two-thirds. It is also implemented in Ethiopia to improve community access and coverage of health services. However, as per our best knowledge the implementation status of integrated community case management in the study area is not well evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the implementation status of the integrated community case management program in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A single case study design with mixed methods was employed to evaluate the process of integrated community case management for common childhood illness in Gondar town from March 17 to April 17, 2022. The availability, compliance, and acceptability dimensions of the program implementation were evaluated using 49 indicators. In this evaluation, 484 mothers or caregivers participated in exit interviews; 230 records were reviewed, 21 key informants were interviewed; and 42 observations were included. To identify the predictor variables associated with acceptability, we used a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistically significant variables were identified based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value. The qualitative data was recorded, transcribed, and translated into English, and thematic analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The overall implementation of integrated community case management was 81.5%, of which availability (84.2%), compliance (83.1%), and acceptability (75.3%) contributed. Some drugs and medical equipment, like Cotrimoxazole, vitamin K, a timer, and a resuscitation bag, were stocked out. Health care providers complained that lack of refreshment training and continuous supportive supervision was the common challenges that led to a skill gap for effective program delivery. Educational status (primary AOR = 0.27, 95% CI:0.11-0.52), secondary AOR = 0.16, 95% CI:0.07-0.39), and college and above AOR = 0.08, 95% CI:0.07-0.39), prescribed drug availability (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI:1.14-4.10), travel time to the to the ICCM site (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI:1.99-7.35), and waiting time (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI:1.16-6.79) were factors associated with the acceptability of the program by caregivers. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The overall implementation status of the integrated community case management program was judged as good. However, there were gaps observed in the assessment, classification, and treatment of diseases. Educational status, availability of the prescribed drugs, waiting time and travel time to integrated community case management sites were factors associated with the program acceptability. Continuous supportive supervision for health facilities, refreshment training for HEW's to maximize compliance, construction clean water sources for HPs, and conducting longitudinal studies for the future are the forwarded recommendation.

A case management intervention in stroke care: Evaluation of a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with initial stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at high risk for further strokes, death or cardiovascular events. Even the first-ever stroke is associated with a high chance of disability and need for assistance. The risk of long-term health care demands increases with each subsequent event. Although the inpatient sector already provides a high standard of care in Germany, it can be difficult to obtain cross-sectoral aftercare. Thus, the study investigated whether a structured case management program can avoid stroke recurrences. METHODS: The study was conducted with a quasi-experimental study design in three regions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Patients with first-ever stroke or TIA were eligible to participate. The intervention group was prospectively recruited and supported by a case manager during a one-year follow-up. Optimal Full Matching was used to generate a control group based on statutory claims data. The primary outcome was the stroke recurrence. Recurrence and mortality were analysed by using Cox regression; other secondary outcomes were examined with test-based procedures and with logistic regressions. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: From June 2018 to March 2020, 1,512 patients were enrolled in the intervention group. Claims data from 19,104 patients have been transmitted for establishing the control group. After the matching process, 1,167 patients of each group were included in the analysis. 70 recurrences (6.0%) occurred in the intervention group and 67 recurrences (5.7%) in the control group. With a hazard ratio of 1.06 (95% CI: [1.42-0.69]; p=0.69), no significant effect was found for the primary outcome. With regard to the secondary outcome mortality, 36 patients in the intervention group and 46 in the control group died (3.1% vs. 3.9%). Again, there was no significant effect (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: [0.58-1.28], p=0.46). DISCUSSION: Based on the present findings, the case management approach for stroke patients evaluated here was unable to demonstrate an improvement in health care. Potential effects of case management might not be adequately depicted in short observation periods. Thus, future studies should consider longer observation periods. CONCLUSION: A panel of experts should discuss whether the core approach of case management to support cost-intensive individual cases is contrary to a broad implementation with a one-size-fits-all intervention for stroke patients. In this case, further research should focus on more specific study populations.

Approach to the care process by nurse case managers in a breast unit.

OBJECTIVE: Breast units led by nurse case managers are being implemented to provide comprehensive care in the detection and treatment of breast cancer. However, their implementation is heterogeneous and the results of the care process with this professional have not been studied. The aim of the study is to describe the management in time and the approach of the process by a nurse case manager in the breast unit of women with suspected breast cancer pathology, derived from the breast cancer screening program. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study carried out in 2021. Women treated in a breast unit managed by a nurse case manager in a hospital in southern Spain were included. Sociodemographic, clinical and care process characteristics were analysed RESULTS: A total of 118 women of Spanish nationality (92%) participated, with a mean age of 59 years. The diagnosis of malignancy was made in 74.6% of them. Seventy-nine percent of the women had their first visit within 3 days. The mean time to diagnosis was 3.98 days (SD: ±3.93), 4.2 weeks (SD: ±1.84) to initiate treatment and a total in-hospital time of 33 days (SD: ±13.45). CONCLUSIONS: The management of nurse case managers in breast units contributes to improving or speeding up times, in accordance with international guidelines, helping this approach in the continuity of the care process for women referred after screening for breast cancer detection.

Designing Community Services for People With Borderline Personality Disorder to Reduce Hospitalizations.

Previous evaluations of interventions for borderline personality disorder have focused on psychotherapies. This study (N=42 patients), conducted in Liverpool, United Kingdom, reviewed the effect on out-of-area treatments (OATs) and hospital admissions of establishing a local case management team and a combined day treatment and crisis service for patients who are too dysregulated to access typical office-based psychotherapy. Data from 12, 24, and 36 months postintervention were compared with baseline data. All patients in OATs were repatriated to the local community. No new patients were sent to OATs. Admissions decreased (at 12 months, 49%; 24 months, 64%; 36 months, 74%), achieving savings in hospitalization costs. Moderate increases in the use and costs of some other services were observed.

Evaluation of a return to work coordination programme for injured workers in a public hospital in Singapore.

Introduction: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a hospital-based return to work (RTW) programme in facilitating injured workers to RTW earlier through personalised case management. Factors associated with programme effectiveness are also examined. Method: This was a quasi-experimental study comparing 81 participants who underwent conventional treatment before the RTW programme with 108 participants who directly received the RTW intervention. Analyses included time to RTW and the factors associated with dropout. Stratified analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to mitigate potential selection bias from the additional recruitment process for the intervention group. Results: Participants in the intervention group returned to work 59.5 days earlier, with 84% able to RTW 6 months post injury compared with the control (63%; P<0.01). Stratified analysis found the intervention to be associated with better RTW outcomes among males, younger workers, non-residents, blue-collared workers, workers from the construction, marine, manufacturing and metalworking industries, and workers having lower Work Ability score (WAS), while light-duty provision was a possible confounder. The better outcomes in the intervention group were also independent of company size and injury severity. After adjusting for the above factors, the intervention group had 2.2 times higher odds of RTW at 6 months (95% confidence interval 0.84–5.90). Lower WAS and longer delay in initial RTW assessment were associated with delayed RTW within the intervention group. Migrant workers experienced higher dropout rates, thus being identified as a vulnerable group. Conclusion: The RTW coordination model of care is effective in facilitating RTW, with early programme referral being an important facilitator and WAS as a useful screening tool for delayed RTW.

Effectiveness of a case management model in newly treated smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the effectiveness of the case management mode on the application of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. METHODOLOGY: This was a randomized control trial. A total of 70 newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited and been randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 35 participants in each group. In the experimental group, patients received the tuberculosis case management mode based on the conventional management mode. In the control group, patients received the routine management mode. We compared the knowledge, attitude, and practice score; sputum-negative conversion rate, effective imaging rate of the two groups at the time of initial admission, discharge, and one month after discharge. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (p > 0.05); at the time of discharge and one month after discharge, the knowledge, belief, behavior, sputum-negative conversion rate, and imaging examination effective rate of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The case management mode can improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice level; sputum-negative conversion rate; and imaging efficiency of newly treated smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Case management programs for people with complex needs: Towards better engagement of community pharmacies and community-based organisations.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were 1) to describe how case management programs engaged community pharmacies and community-based organisations in a perspective of integrated care for people with complex needs, and 2) to identify enablers, barriers and potential strategies for this engagement. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative design, individual interviews and focus groups with patients, healthcare providers and managers were analysed according to a mixed thematic analysis based on a deductive (Rainbow Model of Integrated Care) and an inductive approach. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Participants highlighted the individualized service plan as a significant tool to foster a shared person-focused vision of care, information exchanges and concerted efforts. Openness to collaboration was also considered as an enabler for community stakeholders' engagement. The lack of recognition of community-based organisations by certain providers and the time required to participate in individualized service plans were outlined as barriers to professional integration. Limited opportunities for community stakeholders to be involved in decision-making within case management programs were reported as another constraint to their engagement. Cultural differences between organisations regarding the focus of the intervention (psychosocial vs healthcare needs) and differences in bureaucratic structures and funding mechanisms may negatively affect community stakeholders' engagement. Formal consultation mechanisms and improvement of communication channels between healthcare providers and community stakeholders were suggested as ways to overcome these barriers. CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve care integration in case management programs should be directed toward the recognition of community stakeholders as co-producers of care and co-builders of social policies across the entire care continuum for people with complex needs.

Development of a case definition for hearing loss in community-based older adults: a cross-sectional validation study.

BACKGROUND: Research based in primary care suggests that hearing loss may be underreported as well as inconsistently recorded in patient histories. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a case definition for hearing loss among older adults in primary care, using electronic medical records. METHODS: We used data from adult patients aged 55 years and older from 13 practices in the Southern Alberta Primary Care Research Network database, part of the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN), from Dec. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016. We developed a hearing loss case definition that was translated into an electronic algorithm. A record review was undertaken as the reference standard, followed by application of the algorithm to the sample. Validation metrics included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, as well as prevalence. We assessed risk factors using the Fisher exact test and odds ratios. RESULTS: The sample included 1000 patients; 496 (49.6%) were female and the mean age was 67.5 (standard deviation 9.6) years. Sensitivity of the case definition algorithm was determined to be 87.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 76.5%-94.4%) with specificity valued at 94.8% (95% CI 93.1%-96.1%). Positive and negative predictive values were 52.9% (95% CI 42.8%-62.8%) and 99.1% (95% CI 98.2%-99.6%), respectively. The prevalence of hearing loss within the sample was 6.3% (95% CI 4.9%-7.9%). Older age was a significant risk factor for hearing loss (t = 4.98, 95% CI 3.76-8.65). Men had greater odds of hearing loss than women (odds ratio 1.65, 95% CI 0.98-2.79). INTERPRETATION: The validated case definition for hearing loss in community-based older adults had high sensitivity and specificity. It may be applied to surveillance and future epidemiologic research within the CPCSSN database.

A mobile phone application for malaria case-based reporting to advance malaria surveillance in Myanmar: a mixed methods evaluation.

BACKGROUND: To achieve malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion, including Myanmar, it is necessary to ensure all malaria cases are detected, treated, and reported in a timely manner. Mobile phone-based applications for malaria reporting, case management, and surveillance implemented at a community-level may overcome reporting limitations associated with current paper-based reporting (PBR), but their effectiveness in this context is unknown. METHODS: A mixed methods evaluation study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a national Malaria Case-Based Reporting (MCBR) mobile phone application in improving malaria case reporting compared to the existing PBR reporting system in Myanmar. Methods included secondary analysis of malaria case report data, questionnaires, focus group discussions and field observations of community volunteers, interviews and direct observations of malaria programme stakeholders, and cost analysis. Using a combination of these approaches the following areas were investigated: data quality and completeness, data access and usage, capacity for timely reporting, the acceptability, functionality, and ease of use of the application and facilitators and barriers to its use, and the relative cost of MCBR compared to the PBR system. RESULTS: Compared to PBR, MCBR enabled more accurate and complete data to be reported in a much timelier manner, with 63% of MCBR users reporting they transmit rapid diagnostic test outcomes within 24 h, compared to 0% of PBR users. MCBR was favoured by integrated community malaria volunteers and their supervisors because of its efficiency. However, several technical and operational challenges associated with internet coverage, data transmission, and e-literacy were identified and stakeholders reported not being confident to rely solely on MCBR data for programmatic decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of MCBR provided timely and accurate data for malaria surveillance. Findings from this evaluation study will enable the optimization of an application-based reporting system for malaria monitoring and surveillance in the Greater Mekong Subregion and advance systems to track progress towards, and certify, the achievement of malaria elimination targets.

Integrated community case management of childhood illness in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: The leading causes of mortality globally in children younger than five years of age (under-fives), and particularly in the regions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Southern Asia, in 2018 were infectious diseases, including pneumonia (15%), diarrhoea (8%), malaria (5%) and newborn sepsis (7%) (UNICEF 2019). Nutrition-related factors contributed to 45% of under-five deaths (UNICEF 2019). World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with other development partners, have developed an approach - now known as integrated community case management (iCCM) - to bring treatment services for children 'closer to home'. The iCCM approach provides integrated case management services for two or more illnesses - including diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, severe acute malnutrition or neonatal sepsis - among under-fives at community level (i.e. outside of healthcare facilities) by lay health workers where there is limited access to health facility-based case management services (WHO/UNICEF 2012). OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of the integrated community case management (iCCM) strategy on coverage of appropriate treatment for childhood illness by an appropriate provider, quality of care, case load or severity of illness at health facilities, mortality, adverse events and coverage of careseeking for children younger than five years of age in low- and middle-income countries. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL on 7 November 2019, Virtual Health Library on 8 November 2019, and Popline on 5 December 2018, three other databases on 22 March 2019 and two trial registers on 8 November 2019. We performed reference checking, and citation searching, and contacted study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs, controlled before-after studies (CBAs), interrupted time series (ITS) studies and repeated measures studies comparing generic WHO/UNICEF iCCM (or local adaptation thereof) for at least two iCCM diseases with usual facility services (facility treatment services) with or without single disease community case management (CCM). We included studies reporting on coverage of appropriate treatment for childhood illness by an appropriate provider, quality of care, case load or severity of illness at health facilities, mortality, adverse events and coverage of careseeking for under-fives in low- and middle-income countries. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two review authors independently screened abstracts, screened full texts and extracted data using a standardised data collection form adapted from the EPOC Good Practice Data Collection Form. We resolved any disagreements through discussion or, if required, we consulted a third review author not involved in the original screening. We contacted study authors for clarification or additional details when necessary. We reported risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and hazard ratios (HR) for time to event outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for clustering, where possible. We used estimates of effect from the primary analysis reported by the investigators, where possible. We analysed the effects of randomized trials and other study types separately. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven studies, of which three were cluster RCTs and four were CBAs. Six of the seven studies were in SSA and one study was in Southern Asia. The iCCM components and inputs were fairly consistent across the seven studies with notable variation for the training and deployment component (e.g. on payment of iCCM providers) and the system component (e.g. on improving information systems). When compared to usual facility services, we are uncertain of the effect of iCCM on coverage of appropriate treatment from an appropriate provider for any iCCM illness (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.19; 2 CBA studies, 5898 children; very low-certainty evidence). iCCM may have little to no effect on neonatal mortality (HR 1.01, 95% 0.73 to 1.28; 2 trials, 65,209 children; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of iCCM on infant mortality (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.26; 2 trials, 60,480 children; very low-certainty evidence) and under-five mortality (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.37; 1 trial, 4729 children; very low-certainty evidence). iCCM probably increases coverage of careseeking to an appropriate provider for any iCCM illness by 68% (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.27; 2 trials, 9853 children; moderate-certainty evidence). None of the studies reported quality of care, severity of illness or adverse events for this comparison. When compared to usual facility services plus CCM for malaria, we are uncertain of the effect of iCCM on coverage of appropriate treatment from an appropriate provider for any iCCM illness (very low-certainty evidence) and iCCM may have little or no effect on careseeking to an appropriate provider for any iCCM illness (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.17; 1 trial, 811 children; low-certainty evidence). None of the studies reported quality of care, case load or severity of illness at health facilities, mortality or adverse events for this comparison. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: iCCM probably increases coverage of careseeking to an appropriate provider for any iCCM illness. However, the evidence presented here underscores the importance of moving beyond training and deployment to valuing iCCM providers, strengthening health systems and engaging community systems.

COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian single institution's experience and lessons learned by public health residents' workforce.

Methods: We hereby provide a systematic description of the response actions in which the public health residents' workforce was pivotal, in a large tertiary hospital. Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has posed incredible challenges to healthcare workers worldwide. The residents have been affected by an almost complete upheaval of the previous setting of activities, with a near total focus on service during the peak of the emergency. In our Institution, residents in public health were extensively involved in leading activities in the management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Results: The key role played by residents in the response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic is highlighted by the diversity of contributions provided, from cooperation in the rearrangement of hospital paths for continuity of care, to establishing and running new services to support healthcare professionals. Overall, they constituted a workforce that turned essential in governing efficiently such a complex scenario. Conclusions: Despite the difficulties posed by the contingency and the sacrifice of many training activities, Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic turned out to be a unique opportunity of learning and measuring one's capabilities and limits in a context of absolute novelty and uncertainty.

Case Management in a Time of Uncertainties.

The year 2020 was a time of uncertainties and unpredictability. In this issue of Professional Case Management Journal, 2 articles discuss the issues of prolonged grief, complicated grief, and self-care.

A Literature Review on the Benefits for an Interprofessional Educational Program to Increase Novice Nurse Awareness of Case Management in Heart Failure.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this literature review is to examine the potential value for an interprofessional education program to increase novice nurse awareness of case management in heart failure (HF). PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING: Acute care health care settings involving novice nurses. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: Evidence demonstrates that interprofessional collaboration on transitional care interventions for HF patients reduces 30-day readmissions. Implementation of an interprofessional education program for novice nurses can be an effective intervention to decrease readmissions by increasing knowledge of the nurse case manager role and development of interprofessional relationships. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: Increased awareness of HF case management is important for novice nurses. Understanding the nurse case manager role and early interprofessional collaboration can improve patient health outcomes among the HF population. Therefore, an education program to build confidence and strengthen interprofessional partnership in HF case management for the novice nurse is warranted.