The health provision sector in Australia is experiencing changes that focus on using reporting technologies in aged care to improve the quality of patient care and the reporting of clinical outcomes. New technologies like smart home monitoring systems and wearable tracking systems are helping to reduce human error in health care provision transforming the healthcare environment and achieving better and safer care, especially for the elderly.
Healthcare information technology (hardware and software) has become indispensable in the collection, storage, retrieval, and sharing of patient information and data. This aspect has enhanced communication between the patient and caregiver and helped medical professionals in their decision making.
Approximately 90% of aged care beds in residential facilities now use digital information systems to manage medication regimens, clinical information, and overall resident management.
The key drivers for the uptake of digital solutions in aged care facilities have been government policy and funding. Many aged care facilities have invested this funding in digital technology, with most prioritising software systems, which help with accreditation reporting.
The Role of Digital Technology in Aged Care
Digitisation of care has helped the sector address some crucial issues, which has improved the quality of patient care and monitoring. Some of these include:
- Care transitions are high risk and inefficient without the transfer of good quality patient information both for the transition from the community into an aged care facility, and for home transfer or emergency or planned hospital admissions. Digitisation has simplified the storage and transfer of patient information, ensuring that the command chain misses no vital information.
- A reduction in elderly hospitalisations due to proper medication regimens. 90% of seniors have at least one medication-related health problem, and up to 17% of unplanned hospital admissions of the elderly n Australia are as a result of inappropriate medications.
- Digitisation of aged care has led to an increased focus on enforcing accreditation and standards. Reporting technologies in aged care have increased health care provision transparency, laying bare how health care providers are performing and encouraging providers to report accurately and meaningfully.
- Accreditation standards have now enhanced consumer choice; digitisation helps aged care facilities to respect residents’ preferences and comply with sector and governmental care standards.
Smart Remote Monitoring Systems
The SOFIHUB home device consists of a hub with eight motion sensors installed in an aged care resident’s room or the lounge or kitchen if they are at home. These sensors observe movement throughout the facility or and are connected to an online portal that can be accessed via a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
This system enables designated caregivers to add, delete, or amend reminders and also send live texts or voice messaging.
They can also detect:
- Fall incidents
- Home invasions
- Suspicious lack of movement
- Missed meal or bedtimes
- Missed medication times
- Upcoming doctors’ appointments
The Takeaway
What we see now is a push towards creating a safer, more accurate, and more independent care environment for seniors with authentic and meaningful reporting as well as increased quality care provision.
At SOFIHUB, we are experts at advising and installing reporting technologies in aged care, if you require more information about how our products can help you contact us on our website.