Digital systems
as resourcing arrangements change and adapt. National and regional management can identify trends from the data that can point to issues in an individual care home while also highlighting outstanding local management teams. Digital temperature monitoring
technology can provide rich data to address management tools that may have previously been considered unavailable, such as, for example, the movement of staff, residents, and visitors throughout a building, and entry permissions associated with authorisation levels. Unlike card-based entry systems, which allow people to swap passes and gain entry, facial recognition systems are more secure, with data immediately available to monitor the number of visits and the amount of time a person spent in a building or area of a building.
Reducing operational costs Having staff absent with illness is not only inconvenient and disruptive – in the case of COVID, when at least 5 days of isolation is required, it is expensive too, with agency replacement staff costing around £750 per week. Protection is available against this outcome with FeverCheckerPro systems which cost £7.50 per week (when this investment cost is amortised over 5 years) and which also negate the need for using lateral flow tests, which typically cost a typical care home with 20 staff over £70,000 per year. That represents a saving of some £350,000 over five years and additional saving are gained from the reduction in staff sickness and agency staff costs. The financial benefits are compelling, but the real long-term benefit is priceless, with better mental health, peace of mind, and happier staff and residents.
How do care homes access this technology? Every monitoring check is a step towards a care home being compliant in its duty of care and the need for vigilance under the 1974 Act s 2. this type of digital technology is easy, fast, and highly cost-effective. There are various suppliers addressing COVID-19 and real-time health management in the UK, providing professional, contactless temperature checking systems. A robust, scalable system will provide efficient, real-time local and network management monitoring and control suited to both independent care homes as well as larger care home groups. Ideally there will be software that provides additional facilities allowing users to set up and tailor the functionality to their individual needs. While digital COVID-19 health monitoring is essential for care homes, particularly to avoid any future litigation with respect to duty of care under the 1974 Act s 2, it is the social responsibility that gives peace of mind, as these proactive measures help prevent serious illness, reduce medical intervention, and save lives. When combined with cost savings from improved workflows too, there is a compelling case for Care Homes to adopt this technology based approach to health management.
A compelling case for digital initiatives in care homes Care homes have had a tough time over the last two years. The spread of COVID infection has interrupted business continuity, compromised care quality, and damaged reputations. With winter once again upon us, there is expected to be a dramatic rise in COVID cases, which is likely
causing sleepless nights for care homes as they grapple with how to protect themselves and avoid a repeat of the staff shortages and destructive effects to the balance sheet experienced in previous COVID winters. Management teams are bound to be
jaded by COVID, yet they must be vigilant and create safe, COVID-free protective bubbles for residents, employees, and visitors in order that they can continue the love and care that is the foundation of their service and reputation. More effective protection measures are now available and instrumental in continuing to deliver the quality services for which care homes are renowned. Digital initiatives give administrators peace of mind, allowing them to sleep more easily at night knowing that, by embracing a technology-based approach this winter, they will be able to dramatically reduce the risk of infection thanks to the protection afforded to all staff, visitors, and residents.
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Steve Hathaway
Steve Hathaway is a business leader and entrepreneur with considerable expertise in solution development and implementation. With over three decades’ experience in the international technology business, Steve’s experience in analysing business issues, identifying opportunities, and leading initiatives through to successful implementation led him to address COVID-19 management. Having witnessed the effects of the pandemic on business, he developed affordable, user friendly, real-time systems to assist organisations to avoid contagion and the consequential disruption. Today, FeverCheckerPro systems remain the leading real-time health monitoring systems in the UK, instantly alerting to the probability of COVID and helping to prevent contagion.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2023
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