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Remote Monitoring in Care Homes was an East Midlands AHSN demonstrator programme – a pilot to test and evidence the use of a digital platform to enable care home professionals to more easily detect, manage and escalate deterioration. Our aim was to measure the effectiveness of digital tools in this setting and the impact this can have on residents, hospital admissions and for care home professionals.
Deterioration can happen quickly and if unnoticed can lead to health complications and avoidable deaths. Deterioration is more prevalent in care homes than other settings based on the demographic of residents, who are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions.
In 2019 a joint report by the Health Foundation and NHS England found that 41% of emergency admissions to hospital involving care home residents could be potentially avoided.
With staffing pressures in care homes, it can be difficult for care home professionals to take regular observations in order to detect deterioration and processes to escalate deterioration can be difficult to navigate.
Our Remote Monitoring in Care Homes demonstrator used a digital platform which had the potential to enable care home staff to electronically record deterioration monitoring information in to a digital dashboard. The dashboard could be shared with other healthcare professionals for timely management of deterioration and escalation where required. The digital technology uses intelligent algorithms to identify patients that may need extra attention.
The implementation of the remote monitoring platform took place during 2021. Care home teams were supported with training to use the platform alongside a communication and engagement programme that involved GP surgeries that supported the participating care homes. Whilst three of the seven care homes involved used the platform, only one was able to use it as intended, the other two using it more sporadically. Whilst the care home that used the solution was positive about their experience and the potential for the approach, there was a recognition that conflicting priorities and lack of engagement in the approach in primary care were factors in the outcome.
For more information about the Remote Monitoring in Care Homes programme, or to have a conversation on how we can support, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.