Technology Addresses Physical Plant Needs of Long-Term Care Organizations

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

Technology solutions are expanding to help long term services and support providers address physical plant issues in their organizations, including data storage and internet service, facility maintenance, staff scheduling, resident security and asset protection. 

A recent article in McKnight’s Long Term Care News, IT Expands Its Horizons, featured Majd Alwan, Ph.D, CAST Executive Director and LeadingAge Senior Vice President of Technology. 

Alwan said mobile and remote access is the key reason for the rapid success of resident concierge and staff scheduling systems. “This smarter class of scheduling software systems optimize the schedule, not only based on the needs of the provider, but also the preferences of the individual staff member or contract fill-in, which improves retention and reduces turnover,” he said. 

The article outlined several recent tech trends:

• Integration, such as facility maintenance software handling asset management
• Interoperability, such as food-ordering systems working with EHRs to provide the best nutrition for the resident's condition.
• Automation, decision support and artificial intelligence, such as maintenance software that uses predictive analytics.
• Mobile and remote access.  

It also cited the next frontier in IT innovation for long term services and supports providers, including more personalized dietary services, housekeeping and laundry. To read more, see IT Expands Its Horizons.