INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY
WHY TECHNOLOGY IS A MUST FOR AGED CARE PROVIDERS AND WHY SOURCING LOCAL SOLUTIONS IS BEST
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t is likely that the age services industry will be one of the last to fully resume ‘normal’ operations and will look substantially different by the time the pandemic is declared over.
The Aged Care Royal Commission highlighted the need for increased digitisation and technology developments in residential aged care, however recent breakouts of COVID-19 in aged care have taken the focus away from any sort of capital reform that would assist in releasing funds for technological advances. Yet technological innovation would help control the spread of COVID-19, improve care and provide a safer workplace for staff and residents. One of the issues the pandemic has revealed is the shortcomings in many business processes, including procurement and inventory management. For some, it has highlighted deficits in key processes, and complacency in contracted procurement with long-standing suppliers. More than ever, aged care providers among a raft of other healthcare providers, are turning to Australian owned and made products and suppliers, to take the concern out of shortages. Frank Nardone, Managing Director of Australian manufacturing company cura¹, explains why the home advantage is appealing. “Dealing with overseas companies can be a headache but with an Australian organisation, supply shortages are rare circumstances, it’s a lot easier to get help with parts and service, and warranties are much more robust,” he said. A manufacturer and supplier of products in the falls prevention, wandering, patient monitoring and alert system space, cura¹ has seen sales increase during the pandemic—an indicator of the shift in supplier choice. The falls prevention range has proved particularly popular— such as technology that detects when an individual has moved away from their bed or chair and alerts carers—suggesting that
providers are looking for ways to ease the burden on staffing while continuing to maintain quality care. Beyond their manufacturing capabilities, the South Australian company also employs in-house customer support and technical support through dedicated staff who are available to help distributors and customers with product application, system design and product technical support and repairs. This local service is something their customers value. The supply of home care packages, complemented by a health system that is becoming more adept at virtual health and inhome care, also means people are looking towards technology that supports independent living. As a greater proportion of care shifts to the community, remote patient monitoring will prove useful for providers, allied health assistants and alike. For example, ENSIGN is a multi-use technology that shows live and documented data of an individual’s heart rate and respiratory rate, sleep quality, movements and other valuable features, which is giving peace of mind to loved ones and allowing providers the opportunity to deliver a higher level of care. “Efficient care of our most vulnerable at a safe distance is now more important than ever. ENSIGN was nearly six years in development and we were able to introduce it now when it’s most needed; sometimes products come onto the market at a critical time,” said Mr Nardone. The journey ahead for aged care remains uncertain due to the combination of changing regulations and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Yet in a crisis, new strategic options and opportunities will emerge. Success in this environment requires providers to evolve their operating models to sustain expected quality care under difficult circumstances, foster innovation and remain alert to rapidly emerging strategic opportunities. Matthew Covino is Product Specialist, cura¹ For more information visit www.cura1.com
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