Anyone associated with nursing homes knows how important resident care plans are. The difference a personalised plan makes to the physical and mental wellbeing of a resident can be monumental in the both short and long term.
When putting together a resident care plan, every helpful resource is assessed. Nowadays, that includes technology such as wireless and wired nurse call systems. These operational tools support the implementation of resident care plans as they assist staff, allow for record keeping and ensure that resident care is never compromised.
Here, we look at the importance of resident care plans and how modern technology can help to create more well-rounded programmes.
What Are Resident Care Plans in Nursing Homes?
According to the HSE, a resident care plan in a nursing home is a “a set of goals developed, reviewed and updated by a multi-disciplinary team and where possible and practical, in consultation with each service user.” These documents are essential to person-centred care and detail the treatment a resident requires. The purpose of a resident care plan will be established at the outset and are particularly of benefit when a resident is recovering from an injury or illness.
Compliance is a key aspect of a resident care plan, too, as they must align with standards set out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) as well as the criteria for Regulation 15 Individual Care Plan of the Mental Health Act 2001. These guide the decision making behind the plans as well as their execution.
Challenges in Implementing Care Plans Consistently
Implementing resident care plans can come with several challenges, with the main issue often faced by nurses and residents being communication. Breakdowns can occur for one of many reasons, such as a lack of shared understanding, hearing impairments and language barriers. Residents may have trouble understanding the complexity of certain care plans, so it’s important to explain each step to them clearly and ensure they know what the goal is prior to beginning any plan.
Another aspect of communicating a plan to a resident is the documentation itself. Is it clearly set out and well structured? Is the plan progressive and effective? Does the care facility have the appropriate equipment and are staff trained to do everything required? These are important questions that need to be answered.
Staff responsiveness in successful care delivery is also essential to the success of a resident care plan. Any resident injuries or recovery periods need to be addressed in a timely manner, and care plans are often designed in a ‘reactive’ state. This can include emergency situations where response times are crucial. As such, ongoing staff training may be required to ensure the team knows how to handle unexpected situations.
The Role of Nurse Call Technology in Supporting Care Plans
In today’s world there seems to be a technological solution for every task, and resident care plans are no different. For example, wireless and wired nurse call systems are making it easier to manage resident care plans in nursing homes. These feature-rich, cost-effective solutions can make all the difference to a resident’s well being, with both offering unique benefits.
- Wireless Nurse Call System
A wireless nurse call system ensures that residents receive the care they need, when they need it most. The likes of Touchsafe Pro Nurse Call System are used by over 200 healthcare facilities across Ireland and it’s easy to see why when you look at it’s features. From it’s efficient management system to enhanced call logging and customised reporting, this type of technology instantly improves the level of care a resident receives.
- Wired Nurse Call System
A trusted resource for care facilities for a long time, wired nurse call systems are highly dependable and durable. Used to connect residents with nurses, a wired nurse call system will feature call points, bathroom pull cords, overdoor lights and display panels, providing caregivers with instant call notification. The more advanced wired nurse call systems will offer various call levels, programmable text, call logging and the ability to incorporate over 200 call points.
Supporting Compliance and Oversight
We all know how tedious manual record keeping can be and it’s a risk that care facilities just don’t need to take.
An advanced nurse call system will track calls on the system and can record call history for up to 25 years. These systems can provide detailed logs for all residents and easily generate customisable activity reports for management when required. Not only that, but certain wireless nurse call systems can identify and record which staff member was with a resident and at what time, crucial for accountability and also infection control. As a whole, these features help to create better working and management processes, streamline efficiency across resources including the most valuable commodity of all, time.
Nurse Call Systems offer many features and benefits while remaining compliant with the standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) around data collection, storage and access.
For a Full Overview of System Benefits
Wireless Nurse Call Systems are an incredible addition to any care facility. They help in the preparation and execution of resident care plans and provide a greater level of assurance to nurses, management and families. And while these systems ensure residents receive prompt care, they also feature a range of other great benefits, including:
- Futureproofed wireless mesh technology
- Seamless integration with existing systems
- Advanced functionality to support key management systems
- Enhanced call-logging that safeguards staff
- Reduced time and cost spent on administration
- Elimination of manual record keeping
- Increased staff efficiency and quality of care
- Detailed resident care logs
For a more detailed overview of the broader advantages of these systems, see our article on The Benefits of Wireless Nurse Call Systems.
You can also download our Residential Care Systems Brochure here.
Conclusion: Rethinking Technology’s Role in Resident Care
In summary, the need to align resident care plans with the right support systems cannot be understated. Nurse Call Systems, both wireless and wired, can play a crucial role in providing and better managing a resident’s care plan and well being. Beyond their useful features, these systems provide peace of mind that is impossible to quantify.
Furthermore, it may be time to review or upgrade your current nurse call setup. To check how suitable your current system is, we recommend reviewing the Department of Health’s Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024 – 2030 report.
To find a Nurse Call System that will better support your resident care plans, contact SVC today and a member of our team will discuss your options.
Trevor Lucey is SVC’s Managing Director. Having been with the company since its inception in 1994, Trevor worked on installations and project management before he took over as the Managing Director in 2014. Under his management, SVC has seen significant growth, with on-demand, on-budget projects. With extensive knowledge of communications technology for the healthcare sector and unparalleled expertise in system design and implementation, Trevor is our go-to for custom solutions for each client.
