Long term care week 13
Lola2230
9781284086522_SLID_CH17.pptChapter 17
Technology in
Long-Term Care
Learning Objectives
1. Identify and define potential applications of an information technology system
2. Discuss issues dealing with privacy and access to information
3. Understand how technology can benefit long-term care providers, consumers, and the system as a whole
Learning Objectives (continued)
4. Identify barriers to the successful use of information technology
5. Identify and define options for acquiring and using information technology
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 health information technology (HIT)
Applied Technology
Artificial functioning
Remote monitoring/telehealth
Emergency notification
Telemedicine
Health Information Technology
Applications:
Clinical
Administrative
Strategic support
Networking
Systemwide
Clinical Applications
Admission, assessment, care planning
Consumer safety
Scheduling and tracking ancillary services
Record keeping
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
Consumer information and education
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Privacy Concerns and HIPAA
Encourages use of information technology in transactions
Protects the privacy of consumers’ health information
Creates standards governing electronic transfer of information
Cyber Security
IT systems are vulnerable
More systemwide applications increase vulnerability
Information losses could be catastrophic
Need to be proactive
Benefits of HIT
For the long-term care system
For providers
For consumers
Barriers to Use of HIT
Lack of commitment
Lack of understanding
Financial investment
Need to upgrade old technology
Changing operational systems
Obtaining HIT expertise
Options for Acquiring HIT
In-house development
Purchasing software
Outsourcing
Guidelines for Selecting a Vendor
Analyze the business requirements
Conduct a vendor search
Request proposals and quotes
Evaluate vendor proposals and make a vendor selection
Negotiate a contract
Summary
Technology, particularly HIT, has become indispensable to the successful operation of long-term care organizations, and it will become even more so in the future.
