What is the primary function of case management in healthcare?

The primary function of case management in healthcare is to coordinate care and ensure patients receive appropriate services throughout the continuum of care. This involves assessing a patient's needs, developing a care plan, coordinating with various healthcare providers, and ensuring that the patient transitions smoothly between different levels of care, such as from hospital to home or from one healthcare setting to another.

Effective case management focuses on enhancing patient outcomes by facilitating access to necessary resources, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans as needed based on the patient's evolving needs. This holistic approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses medical, social, and emotional factors, ultimately leading to improved health results and a better overall patient experience.

The other options involve important functions within healthcare but do not encapsulate the primary role of case management. Managing budgets relates more to financial aspects of healthcare operations. Conducting patient satisfaction surveys pertains to quality assessment and improvement, which, while relevant, isn't the main focus of case management. Performing administrative tasks involves operational functions that support healthcare delivery but do not directly relate to the coordination and management of patient care.