Technology has become an all-important consideration for care providers in the UK, the benefits of which spread across a wide-span of their business. From improving hygiene, operations, efficiency, resident welfare, inspectorate ratings and so much more – there’s never been a better time to consider the implementation of tech.
We’ve even created a free checklist for how certain technology can directly improve your ratings from both the CQC and Scottish Care Inspectorate….download it below.
Future-proof Smart Care-Home
The example below shows a fully-fledged, ‘Smart Care Home’, making use of Full-WiFi Coverage, full category 6 network cabling, full DECT/Cordless phone coverage, cloud-based phone system and all of the benefits that come with having the foundations of full WiFi coverage in the care sector.
We want to go digital, but what about emergencies?
We hear a lot from our customers asking about measures taken when we help switch them to a digitalised Care Home – from Phone, WiFi to IT systems, they understandably seek full assurances that there is no increased risk of system failure in the event of an emergency. As an example, as seen throughout the UK toward the end of 2021, and in 2022 ‘power cuts’ are unfortunately becoming all-too common
Emergency Power Backup
On most customer’s sites involved in critical activities, such as Care Homes, Private Hospitals, GP Practices and more, we’ll install an emergency back-up source of power for all systems. In doing so, in the event of a power-outage, the site’s full Phone, WiFi & IT Systems can continue to operate during this critical period, with no downtime.
Full-Building Power Continues
Downtime isn’t something we like at Ayo, nor would we wish to allow it for our customers. As soon as ‘mains’ power is not recognised, our systems automatically switch to industrial-grade battery power systems. In this scenario, our backup power systems are not linked with ‘mains’ power in the building – given most of our networking systems run on ‘PoE’ or Power over Ethernet, the main ‘Switch Box’ in the network cabinet powering all equipment and peripherals switches over to a backup power system, which in turn serves all connected devices via the network cable connecting them (generally Cat 6/Cat 6a).
Okay, so it’s powered – what about connectivity?
So, we’ve covered the details on power outages and downtime in that sense – how does the connectivity (internet, phone lines) continue if the incoming lines are affected also? Given network provider cabinets in the street (the dark green ones) also run on ‘mains’ power, the problem isn’t fully-solved with backup power sources on-site, as these lines also generally fail in the result of a power outage. As part of our emergency backup system packages, we’ll also install a 4G/5G medium in the network cabinet, which also takes-over all systems seamlessly in the event the incoming lines are down.
How does this benefit my Care Home business?
The beauty of future-proofing your care home with Ayo isn’t just down to the many benefits including those for staff, residents, visitors and general operations – more times than not, it can end up saving you money on your monthly bills. See more about our free streamlining offer here*.
If you work in or manage a care home, you’ll already know of the CQC (England) and the Care Inspectorate (Scotland), and that they regulate all care homes in these areas. They inspect, review and ultimately rate care organisations, with the power to order immediate improvements from their findings, or even close the premises down. We’ll go into more detail below on the specifics of each organisation, how you can ensure you’re covering the areas they require, and how specific implementation or improvements in certain technologies directly correlates with points your care home will score on. We’ve made up a ‘crib sheet’, outlining each point and factor the inspectors look at, and how each piece of technology directly correlates with this…scroll down to see it.
13 Fundamental Standards; Person-centred care, essentially outlines that residents must be at the ‘core’ of their care. It dictates that residents must be treated as individuals, with unique needs.
Main 5 CQC Standards
1
Are they Safe?
Everyone wants to know they’re safe in their own homes. This is no different for residents in care homes. It’s a little different, however, with a balance between safety & security, and such measures not encroaching on the resident’s lives.
2
Are they Effective?
This surrounds effective communication and more efficient use of resources. For example, Digital Care Planning switches the business from paper files to fully paperless, and hosted in the cloud. The systems ensure total accuracy, save staff large amounts of time and allow for quick and easy reviews of resident’s health & wellbeing.
3
Are they Caring?
Increasing operational efficiency (through use of technology), generally increases the time staff have to spend caring for residents. Things like full cordless phone & WiFi coverage, Digital Care Planning, and more can help to directly reduce the time staff spend on other tasks.
4
Are they Responsive?
Examples include communicative apps on tablets, motion sensors etc.
5
Are they well-led?
With introduction of new technology, care homes can improve communication, information sharing & analysis of data, to ensure residents are receiving the highest quality of care possible.
Download your copy of our Crib Sheet on CQC or Care Inspectorate gradings below
