TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE
SMART TECH, SAFE CARE
Why does data protection training matter, asks Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Head of Programme Delivery at Digital Care Hub.
Image credit: Marvin Meyer, Unsplash
In today’s fast-evolving care environment, digital and assistive technologies are becoming essential tools for improving the quality of care and efficiency in care homes. From reducing paperwork to enhancing resident safety, technology is transforming the way care homes operate, bringing real benefits to both staff and residents.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN PRACTICE
Many care homes have successfully adopted digital technologies, showing how these innovations can lead to better outcomes. For example:
A six-month pilot at Hartland House care home in Cumbria, used Nobi’s AI-powered Smart Lamps to reduce falls by 84% and improve resident safety. The lamps detect and prevent falls, cutting response times from 57 minutes to under two minutes and eliminating long-lie incidents. This shiſt from reactive to preventive care has eased NHS pressures by reducing hospital admissions and ambulance callouts, while freeing up staff time for direct care. Following these results, the technology has been expanded throughout the home, with potential for wider use across UK care homes.
St. Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset was an early adopter of SIDeR+, a shared care record system launched in November 2020. SIDeR+ brings together health and social care information from GP practices, hospitals, social care services, and hospices into one digital record. This allows health and care professionals to access up-to-date information quickly, improving coordination and reducing duplicated tasks. For St. Margaret’s, it has cut admin time, reduced repeated medical history checks, and ensured all
14
teams have access to the same information. While there have been tech challenges and a cultural shiſt for some staff, the system is proving valuable, with increased usage following recent updates.
Bedford Charter House, a care home for 72 residents, transformed its care delivery through digital technology. By introducing Person Centred Soſtware (PCS) in 2019, staff could update care records in real-time, improving accuracy and reducing admin time. The addition of Atlas eMAR in 2020 cut medication errors and boosted resident safety. A digital visitor system and smart nurse call alerts further enhanced care and reduced disruptions. While staff faced a learning curve, training and ongoing support made the transition smooth. The digital changes have improved efficiency, enhanced care quality, and provided families with greater transparency and peace of mind.
IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS: TIPS FOR CARE HOME MANAGERS
If you’re thinking about introducing new technologies in your care home, here are some key steps to consider:
Assess your needs: Identify specific areas where technology could make a difference.
Engage your team: Involve staff, residents, and families in the process. Their feedback will help ensure the technology meets everyone’s needs.
Prioritise training: Make sure your team is confident using new systems and understands how to keep data secure.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42
