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Technology continues to be one of the dominant themes of conversation in the home care sector, and as the Care Quality Commission progresses with its ‘digital first’ strategy, we’ll see an even greater focus on the application of technology in the sector.
About the CQC
- What is the Care Quality Commission and how does it operate?
- Person-centred care and the role of technology
About CQC inspections
CQC inspections are an important part of regulating health and social care providers in England. Depending on the type of inspection, providers will be asked about all or some of the key lines of enquiry. In October 2021 Joyce Frederick, Director of Policy and Strategy wrote about the way that the 5 key questions will continue to stay central to the approach of the CQC, but that an updated framework for making our judgements about the quality of care would be introduced. We’ll continue to keep you updated about the progress of the new framework and will keep sharing regular updates with you about how the work is developing.
How technology can assist home care providers meet the key lines of enquiry:
- Are they safe? – Using eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Record) to reduce medication mistakes and improve service delivery for those being cared for
- Are they effective? – How electronic care planning can enhance the delivery of effective care
- Are they caring? – Giving carers more time to attend to the practical needs of their client and a more personal service
- Are they responsive? – How technology can bring reassurance to both clients and family members
- Are they well-led? – Using data to spot patterns and look for trends, which in turn can be used to identify where improvements need to be made
See how Unique IQ’s software has been highlighted in CQC reports
How home care providers can use technology to improve care
The CQC has made ‘encouraging innovation’ one of its strategic priorities, recognising that digitally-enabled care can offer significant benefits to people who use services and those who run and deliver them. We explore what providers can be doing now to improve quality and look ahead to what the future holds for the sector.
- Digital care records – The latest guidance from the CQC on what ‘good’ digital care records look like
- Electronic care plans – the benefits of transitioning to digital care plans
- What happened in 2020? A guide to the latest technology policy and reform in the sector
- A new way of inspecting and rating providers, CQC rolls out virtual inspections pilot
- How technology was identified as a marker of quality in 2019 State of Care report
- Encouraging innovation to improve care – CQC urges the care industry to go digital
- Culturally appropriate care – how care providers can ensure they are meeting the CQC’s latest draft guidance on cultural competence
It’s a hugely exciting time for embracing the potential of technology, but it’s important to remember the care that’s at the centre of it. People’s quality of life and wellbeing, in some cases people’s lives, is dependent on the technology that we introduce into home care. And as technology providers, we have a responsibility to remember that as we strive to better our tech.
