Writing: Challenges

Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: TECHNOLOGY IN LONG-TERM CARE

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

Introduction

 Technology is becoming ever more important to long-term care.

 The ways in which technology can be used in long-term care fall into two broad

categories: applied technology and information technology (IT).

Applied Technology - technology has much to offer in maintaining or improving a person’s

functional independence. In several ways, including:

 Artificial Functioning – devices to provide assistance from wheelchairs to robots.

 Emergency Notification –panic buttons to notify when help is needed.

 Telemedicine - remote monitoring of a consumer’s condition, conferencing among

health care professionals, and consultation with specialists.

Information Technology - the application of certain types of technology to the collection and

use of information.

 Includes data input, data management, and data output

 Categories of computerized information applications:

 Clinical Applications:

 Admission, Assessment, and Care Planning

 Consumer Safety

 Record Keeping

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Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

 Quality Measurement

 Administrative Applications:

 Staffing

 Financial Management

 Strategic Support Applications

 Planning

 Operational Decision Making

 Performance Measurement

 Marketing

 Networking Applications:

 Involvement in integrated health systems

 Coordination of information

 Patient scheduling

 Managed care contracting

 Systemwide Applications:

 Electronic Health Records

 Automated patient records

 Personal health records

 Quality Measurement and Improvement

 OSCAR

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Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

 RAI/MDS

 OASIS

 Consumer Information and Education

Privacy Concerns and the HIPAA

 One of the two major purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

Act (HIPAA) is to protect the privacy of consumers’ health information.

 HIPAA creates a set of national standards governing such electronic transfers to protect

the privacy and confidentiality of consumers. These standards cover the following areas.

 Access to medical records.

 Notice of privacy practices

 Limits on use of personal medical information

 Prohibition on marketing

 Confidential communications

 Complaints.

Cyber Security

 All entities relying on computer systems must today be concerned about cyber security.

 Loss of either personal or organizational information could greatly disrupt the ability to

provide high-quality care.

Benefits of IT

 Benefits for the Long-Term Care System

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Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

 Allows care providers in long-term care, acute care and home-based settings to

efficiently collect, manage and share vital information about their clients’ medical

histories and care regimens.

 Sharing of best clinical practices, the use of clinical guidelines and quality

measurement tools.

 More timely and accurate exchange of financial information saves money and avoids

waste.

 The ability to improve research into both clinical and administrative methods.

 Increased ability to provide consumers with the information they need to make care-

related decisions.

 Benefits for Providers

 IT can help them operate more efficiently and effectively.

 It produces cost savings by avoiding duplication and waste and allows them to

optimize their resources.

 Benefits for Consumers

 Consumers receive more and better services.

 . IT can empower individuals in long-term care facilities and their families - helping

to reduce isolation among seniors and caregivers.

 . Consumers living at home benefit by being able to access information about

providers, services, and eligibility using the Internet.

Barriers to Use of IT

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Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

 Lack of Commitment – if it is to work effectively, providers must commit to really

using it.

 Lack of Understanding – that commitment must be based on a full understanding of

what IT can do and not do.

 Financial Investment – making use of IT is not inexpensive (but the outlay is worth it).

 Need to Upgrade Old Technology – most providers getting into or maximizing use of

IT must scrap their old systems or invest in a significant upgrade.

 Changing Operational Systems – operational systems must change, not just technology,

if it is to be successful.

 Obtaining IT Expertise – most providers will need outside assistance.

Options for Acquiring IT - providers have several options available to them when they decide

to acquire new IT or upgrade existing systems:

 Developing an entirely in-house system.

 Purchasing software for its own hardware (PCs, data entry terminals, etc.).

 Outsourcing the entire system development and maintenance to a contract firm.

Guidelines for Selecting an IT Vendor

 Analyze the business requirements

 Conduct Vendor search

 Request for Proposal (RFP) Development

 Proposal evaluation and vendor selection

 Contract negotiation strategies

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Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum, Fourth Edition John R. Pratt

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