Under the current system, aged care providers cannot find the capital and recurrent funding needed to introduce new technologies.
“The AACC will take into account the contribution of technology in delivering services in its recommendations on prices and subsidies for approved providers,” the commission said in its landmark report.
“This will reinforce the incentives for adoption.”
The AACC would be set up as an independent body that advises the federal government on aged care policy, and determines fee schedules for accommodation and services.
Initially, it would establish the costs of providing quality care through a benchmarking study, taking into account staff levels, skills and cost efficiencies.
“The proposed reforms will increase the level of government funding on the basis of the real cost of providing services,” the commission said.
“This should in turn provide greater incentives for the uptake of technology.”
It noted aged care facilities lacked ongoing funding for maintaining their IT systems and staff training, while the lack of infrastructure for visiting doctors to access patient records was also an issue.
Adopting electronic medication management, care plans and reporting systems cuts paperwork and frees up staff time to spend with patients: assistive technologies such as lifting hoists and tracking devices reduce the physical workload.
The productivity commission also recommended the creation of an Australian Seniors' Gateway agency to develop and maintain a national aged care database, provide information about local care options, manage needs assessments and co-ordinate service delivery.
This would simplify navigation for older people and careers, replacing today’s complex and confusing system.
The agency would need initial funding for IT infrastructure and database development, but there would be savings from reduced duplication of services.
The database would contain records of personal assessments, entitlements and use of approved services, streamlining information-sharing across providers and agencies.
A lack of coordination between the aged and health care sectors was identified as a major problem, often resulting in inappropriate or avoidable treatment and hospital admissions.
"There is considerable scope to increase the efficiency of interactions through the use of IT, through e-health initiatives such as e-prescribing,” the commission said.
Progress had already been made in developing electronic aged care client records, and combining these with future e-health records would further improve care.
“Linked electronic records would avoid the need for older people to repeat the same basic information,” it said.
“Relevant information, subject to the client’s agreement, would be attached to an e-health record and made available to all approved health professionals and care providers.”
The commission said new telehealth systems including remote monitoring devices and video consultations would allow older people to remain in their own homes longer.
“Ageing-in-place supported by smart technologies offers the potential for substantial savings in residential aged care and in reduced hospital admissions,” it said.
“Pilot programs show these systems can provide early alerts to changing health patterns and minimise falls and other accidents in the home.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Karen Dearne
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