Care Transitions Today Podcast

Case by Case: The Patient with No Name

This episode is co-presented by the Association of Physician Leadership in Care Management and the American Case Management Association.

In this episode, we are joined by returning experts Dr. Rebecca Severe and Dr. Sweta Singh, along with guest Jason Lindsey, who is Director of Case Management at North Oaks Medical Center.

The conversation explores two complex case studies highlighting the intersection of medical necessity, ethical decision-making, and system-level barriers in patient care.

The first case follows a critically ill, unidentified patient who presented with sepsis and required intensive, multidisciplinary care. With no identification, no confirmed family, and no decision-maker, the care team navigated significant challenges, including court-appointed guardianship, progression to gangrene requiring amputation, and long-term hospitalization due to the inability to secure post-acute placement. Over more than six years, the case evolved beyond clinical management into a complex discharge planning issue, requiring coordination across ethics committees, social work, legal systems, and external agencies.

The second case examines a medically complex patient presenting with chest pain, heart failure, and subsequent complications, including pericarditis and acute kidney injury. Despite clear clinical indicators supporting inpatient level of care, the case was denied by the payer following a short length of stay due to the patient leaving against medical advice. The discussion highlights strategies for supporting inpatient status in the setting of evolving clinical conditions, the importance of thorough documentation of ongoing symptoms and medical decision-making, and key considerations when appealing payer denials—particularly when length of stay is impacted by patient-driven discharge.

The Association of Physician Leadership in Care Management (APLCM) was created to provide support and education for physicians in this field. APLCM is unique because of its connection to the American Case Management Association, focusing on a collaborative model that brings together nurse case managers, social workers, and physicians in care management. ACMA has a rich 25-year history of supporting the case management field. APLCM is inclusive of all practice settings, and membership provides access to ACMA resources and benefits. Whether you're new to case management or have years of experience, APLCM membership offers valuable professional networking opportunities and resources. Visit www.aplcm.org to learn more.

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