title: Managed care 1: an opportunity for nursing.
abstract: Managed care is a clinical system that is currently gaining popularity in the UK. The emphasis is on quality patient care and containment of costs by reducing fragmentation of care delivery. This article describes some of the tools of a managed care system and will focus on a description of a care map and the background to the development of the concept.
authors.affiliation: Senior Nursing Manager Surgical Services, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Clinical Leader, King's Fund Nursing Development Unit, Newcastle;
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laxade
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hale