ICT in aged care: 5 key steps for tech upgrades
Aged care industry
If you’re like me and you have been in the aged care industry for a while (or even if you’ve just joined), you’ve likely realised that we (the industry) have a remarkable ability to resist change, especially when it comes to technology.
For most aged care providers, It can be a challenge to know where to start when you are upgrading or changing your ICT systems. Budgets, expertise and time are limited, change is hard, and implementing new systems costs an arm and a leg if you want to do it properly.
If you have taken on the mantle of driving change in your ICT systems (or been volunteered), I hope this will give you the helpful advice you will need to effectively transform your ICT structures, without terrifying your boss/co-workers or breaking the bank. You might find this surprising, but the key to a successful transformation does not solely lie in deep knowledge of technology and systems, but rather the approach you have and how you communicate about the changes.
Have the right attitude.
The first step to success as an ICT leader is all about having determination, a strategic mindset, a gutsy communication plan, and a healthy dose of “if I get knocked down, I’ll get back up again” attitude. Beware, resistance is everywhere and the road is long.
Be resourceful.
The second step to success is being resourceful. Even if you are in an organisation with money to spare, your ICT strategy should consist of cleverly weighted decisions that will get you optimal results. Being a transformational ICT leader means you are always looking for every possible resource at your disposal to bring about the change you have imagined.
Get up to date on regulations and funding.
Thirdly, get educated on your environment and possible funding you may have at your disposal. Crucially, keep your finger on new regulations and policies so you can ensure that your changes will remain in compliance with the RACC.
Recently the Royal Commission released an ICT Strategy and Architecture Review report outlining a series of recommendations that the government and providers should adopt to improve the quality of life for Australians in aged care. The report highlighted a number of deficiencies in the aged care sector, including:
1. Disconnected business processes.
2. Lack of data collection and sharing.
3. Poor interoperability.
4. Obsolete technology.
5. A fundamental lack of standardisation. Many of the recommendations are geared towards the government but there are some helpful recommendations for providers to consider.
You can read the full report by clicking this link.
