What Are Case Management Systems?

Case management systems are computer software applications that help organizations manage their patient and client case files. Professionals such as lawyers and medical practitioners often need to document and organize their research, treatments, and interactions with clients and patients. Several individuals may need to refer to these files in order to perform their job duties correctly. Case management systems provide a means of centralizing case files and providing convenient, secure access to authorized personnel.

The legal industry uses case management systems to keep track of client court dates and contact information for clients, judges and lawyers. This information might be somewhat tedious and time consuming to locate for individuals who need to reference it periodically. Accessing the system allows those who are unfamiliar with a case they suddenly find themselves assigned to to save the time and hassle of locating other individuals in the firm who may have prior knowledge.

A main benefit of case management systems is that they allow disparate information to be linked. For example, database contacts can be linked to relevant cases, increasing data entry efficiency and worker productivity. These systems also allow case files to be updated with relevant occurrences and critical milestones. If one of the lawyers working on a case leaves the firm or is out of the office for an extended period of time, another associate can assume responsibility without having to backtrack.

Centralized documentation is another main benefit of case management systems. In both the health care and legal industries, written documentation is important not only for the welfare of the patient or client, but for the organization's proof of due diligence. A computerized case management system also provides a secure data storage solution.

In the health care system, proper case management is essential for the successful treatment of chronic or recurrent conditions. Doctors and nurses can document what medications have been tried and if the patient had any adverse reactions to them. Sometimes, certain treatment protocols may be experimented with for unique or severe cases. The documentation of those protocols might lead to new ways of thinking and discovery about disease treatment.

Recording details of case management enables legal and medical professionals to determine the progress of a case. Examining what has already been researched, experimented with and uncovered might help decide what course of action to take next. It may also lead to a new perspective or insight when the case notes are reviewed. Case management systems essentially help make this process smoother.