Abstract
Purpose
With the lifespan increase of the UK population, care homes are experiencing greater pressure to improve the quality of their settings to meet the demand for longer term care of residents. Among the biggest challenges for care home staff has been documentation management. Staff are required to accurately complete and submit care records during each shift as per the Care Quality Commission regulations. Technological advancement has allowed the UK health care sector to implement new digital systems to make the services more efficient and reliable. However, despite the increasing number of care providers using electronic care recording to capture data on service users, the research on the efficiency and efficacy of those systems remains limited.
Methodology
Survey and observational data were provided by an organisation managing 5 care homes in the United Kingdom, that have recently implemented an electronic care planning system. The authors analysed the quantitative data to compare the care note taking process in pre and post implementation of the e-system.
Findings
The statistical analysis identified that the total number of care notes being recorded had significantly increased across the sample. The e-system enabled an increase in fluid notes being recorded too. Survey data portrayed that 53% of staff felt using an electronic system improves accuracy and 67% agreed using a system let them record information quicker, although that does not result in staff having extra time to spend on “meaningful” activities with service users.
Research limitations/implications The study provides an insight into whether an e-system brings sufficient return to justify the investment of its implementation, highlighting the exact areas of care and service quality impacted by its use. From an academic perspective, the research furthers the existing literature by demonstrating the impact of digital systems beyond medication intake recording. The study is practical for healthcare managers exploring the possibility of implementing an e-system, seeking to understand the benefits and limitations of such investment, presenting the views of both residents and staff. 2
Originality/Value
Technological advancement has allowed the UK health care sector to implement new digital systems to make the services more efficient and reliable. However, despite the increasing number of care providers using electronic care recording to capture data on service users, the research on the efficiency and efficacy of those systems remains limited.
With the lifespan increase of the UK population, care homes are experiencing greater pressure to improve the quality of their settings to meet the demand for longer term care of residents. Among the biggest challenges for care home staff has been documentation management. Staff are required to accurately complete and submit care records during each shift as per the Care Quality Commission regulations. Technological advancement has allowed the UK health care sector to implement new digital systems to make the services more efficient and reliable. However, despite the increasing number of care providers using electronic care recording to capture data on service users, the research on the efficiency and efficacy of those systems remains limited.
Methodology
Survey and observational data were provided by an organisation managing 5 care homes in the United Kingdom, that have recently implemented an electronic care planning system. The authors analysed the quantitative data to compare the care note taking process in pre and post implementation of the e-system.
Findings
The statistical analysis identified that the total number of care notes being recorded had significantly increased across the sample. The e-system enabled an increase in fluid notes being recorded too. Survey data portrayed that 53% of staff felt using an electronic system improves accuracy and 67% agreed using a system let them record information quicker, although that does not result in staff having extra time to spend on “meaningful” activities with service users.
Research limitations/implications The study provides an insight into whether an e-system brings sufficient return to justify the investment of its implementation, highlighting the exact areas of care and service quality impacted by its use. From an academic perspective, the research furthers the existing literature by demonstrating the impact of digital systems beyond medication intake recording. The study is practical for healthcare managers exploring the possibility of implementing an e-system, seeking to understand the benefits and limitations of such investment, presenting the views of both residents and staff. 2
Originality/Value
Technological advancement has allowed the UK health care sector to implement new digital systems to make the services more efficient and reliable. However, despite the increasing number of care providers using electronic care recording to capture data on service users, the research on the efficiency and efficacy of those systems remains limited.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 26th Excellence in Services International Conference |
| Subtitle of host publication | (31 August – 1 September 2023, University of West Scotland, Paisley) |
| Publisher | University of Verona |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9791221039054 |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 16 Oct 2023 |
| Event | 26th Excellence in Services International Conference - University of the West of Scotland Paisley Campus, Paisley, United Kingdom Duration: 31 Aug 2023 → 1 Sept 2023 https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/tqm/26th-excellence-services-international-conference |
Conference
| Conference | 26th Excellence in Services International Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EISIC 2023 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Paisley |
| Period | 31/08/23 → 1/09/23 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- care home
- digital healthcare
- electronic care planning
- electronic care record
- electronic health record
- e-system
- healthcare
- residential care