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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