How care technology innovation can help care providers answer the CQC’s five key questions
As all care providers will be aware, the CQC (Care Quality Commission) uses five key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) in their regulation of adult social care services. So how does the use of care technology support providers to meet their responsibilities to their residents - and satisfactorily answer these five key questions?
1. Is your service safe?
The remote monitoring and tracking of residents and staff enabled by the Nursecall system help providers to meet safeguarding and abuse protection requirements. The Aurum™ Nursecall fall management and Dementia Light Guidance systems help to manage risk, while integrations with third party care plans (i.e. medical) and automatic medical reminders for residents assist with safe medicine management. The newly developed PinGo™ social distancing traffic light system helps staff and residents manage infection control in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Staff cover levels can be managed effectively via the Nursecall system, which incorporates automatic staff location, so care home managers know where their staff are at all times - making it easier to manage staff and deploy them where they are needed most.
Nursecall systems provide care home managers with a comprehensive menu of reports and data. Providers are able to utilise the stats and data collected to enable them to learn from any incident where should something go wrong.
2. Is it effective?
Digital systems assess residents’ needs by monitoring them remotely and recording data, as well as integrating with third party healthcare, meaning that care homes are able to deliver evidence-based treatment.
Data and knowledge is shared with staff at the touch of button, and all staff are able to function well as a team, as all have access to the same information, and their locations are monitored so they can be deployed as and where needed.
Both the mental and physical health of residents are supported, as digital monitoring systems mean that they can be more physically active and independent while remaining safe. They are able to be in regular touch with loved ones, health providers and the wider community via their touchscreen device
3. Is it caring?
The privacy and dignity of residents is upheld by the Nursecall system, which allows them to be more independent, as they can be monitored remotely at all times, and need fewer intrusive night-time checks. The Aurum™ Nursecall fall management system and Dementia Light Guidance also support dignity and compassionate care. The Nursecall system is accessible to residents with visual or hearing impairments.
With less time needed for monitoring and record keeping, staff have more time available to spend with residents, allowing them better quality of care, as well as a better quality of life. Families can rest assured that their loved ones are being looked after, as they are able to view data on their care remotely. The Digital Nursecare system also offers video chat with loved ones and the sharing of photographs and other media, transforming the integration and socialisation of residents.
4. Is it responsive?
Digital care technology enables care to be tailored to individuals through the use of data collection and third party integration. Connected Care (digital telecare) is real-time, electronic communication, allowing secure email communication between the care provider and the resident/client, helping to promote an independent and fulfilling life.
5. Is it well-led?
Digital systems allow care home managers to inform their governance and management through the constant collection of key data and statistics - for example, a weekly report on cost of care - with meticulous and accurate records kept automatically or recorded at the touch of a button.
The data collected can be utilised to help managers learning, improve and innovate, including streamlining services, further improving the standard of care without wasting resources, and helping mangers learn how best to respond if things do go wrong.
As the Nursecall system is accessible by staff, residents, families and third parties, engagement and involvement are an intrinsic part of digital care, allowing care homes to work in partnership with residents, families and other healthcare providers.
