The START Blog
The technology revolutionising our care homes
The game-changing technologies that are keeping people in care homes safe and supporting care workers.
Background
Adult social care
Technology has long promised to be the solution to the problems in adult social care. Staff shortages, economic challenges and people living longer, with more complex health needs, provide constant challenges for those working in the sector [1].Successive governments over many years have built their social care strategies around the potential of technology to address these issues [2]. However, the technological advances that have infiltrated everyday life have largely failed to address the challenges in adult social care, as discussed in our previous blog.Despite this, there are examples of innovative technology helping to support people with care needs and care support staff. In this blog, we will look at some examples that have been successfully implemented into practice in the United Kingdom:
RESTORE2
Recognise Early Soft Signs, Take Observations, Respond, Escalate (RESTORE2) is a tool designed to support care home workers in identifying subtle signs of deterioration in people with care needs and guiding them to escalate appropriately [3]. The tool uses a series of prompts, listing concerning symptoms and a structured observation chart to record this information. This is based on recognised signs of deteriorating health, which can be compared to a set of baseline values specific to that person. The National Early Warning Score, a validated tool used across the NHS, is then used to confirm and monitor the person’s situation [4]. An escalation ladder is provided to support the care worker to appropriately signpost the patient to the right healthcare pathway and gives them a framework to provide an accurate handover.Since its introduction by the Bury Integrated Delivery Collaborative, there has been a 20% reduction in ambulance callouts and a 17% reduction in 999 calls [5]. Care staff also found it supported them in decision-making. They commented that they could ‘see that the patient was deteriorating and she received the help she needed quickly, we had the evidence that she was not well, it’s easy when you have the evidence’ and ‘it makes it easier for staff to check and keep on top of things’ [6].When implementing new products, a key consideration is how to support staff to use the product effectively [7]. Further, staff who will be using the product should be involved in its implementation [7]. The Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative followed best practice by co-producing a series of training videos about the use and implementation of the tool [3].
NOBI Smart Lamp
This light is a fall detection and prevention device that is housed in a ceiling light [8]. It utilises optical sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to track residents’ movements and alert care staff to falls or atypical movements. It can communicate with residents to check on their safety, provide automatic lighting and allow for remote monitoring [8].Hartland House care home in Cumbria deployed the NOBI smart lamp in a six-month pilot. They found that falls were reduced by 84%, and the response time for residents to respond to falls was reduced from 57 minutes to under two, eliminating all long-lie falls. Administrative tasks after a fall could amount to up to six hours of work; the significant reduction in falls has allowed care staff more time to care for residents [9].One of the main barriers to implementing technology in care homes is overly complex technology that requires training, which staff don’t have time to complete [10]. The NOBI is simple to operate and provides care staff with clear and simple information, which likely underpins its successful implementation in Cumbria.
Magic Notes
Magic Notes is an AI-based transcription tool for social care that records, transcribes and converts this into a document [11]. The tool was created collaboratively between Kingston Council and Beam in response to feedback from workers who felt that administrative tasks were taking time away from their ability to support people [12].The tool reduced the time spent writing up assessments and notes from 90 minutes to 35 minutes, resulting in a 63% reduction in administrative time. Social workers for whom English was a second language or who had dyslexia found the tool particularly helpful and reported that it helped to foster a more ‘inclusive workplace’ [13].Privacy and the appropriate use of sensitive personal data is a key consideration when implementing AI in health and social care [14]. As part of the tool’s development, a robust data processing agreement and data protection impact assessment were completed to ensure it followed local and national government guidelines [15]. The tool was created and implemented in only three months [12] and considering important regulatory guidelines at the outset was likely important for this short time frame.
Using the START Tool
The successful implementation of technology within adult social care has the potential to address many problems within the industry. Careful consideration of the implementation plan, considering the key barriers within the industry and ensuring appropriate regulatory compliance is built in at the start of the development, is vital. The START tool will help you consider important design features to help with the uptake and smooth implementation of your technology.