In efforts to reduce the national crisis of hospital hallway medicine exacerbated by an aging population, home care service providers, nurses (RNs/RPNs), and personal support workers (PSWs) go the extra mile in the community to deliver quality care for patients — without vital tech supports many other industries take for granted.

According to academic and industry reports they are plagued by burnout, time-consuming paperwork, outdated ordering procedures, inefficient dispersal of hospital referrals by the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to home care providers, and exhaustive driving distances, especially in rural areas. Widespread inefficiencies are taking a physical, emotional and financial toll.

“The state of our current healthcare system is crying out for innovation and who better to provide that than nurses?” states Professor Kim English, a faculty member in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing and a member of the Trent Centre for Aging & Society (TCAS). “The work we do involves other peoples’ lives and well-being. Frontline providers, such as nurses, play an important role in helping decision makers understand how technology can enhance their work and support quality care.”

Prof. English is working with Cammie Jaquays of Homecare Intelligence Inc. on the project.

Prescribing tech solutions

Prof. English and Ms. Jaquays hope to discern how technology can save time, money and resources for LHINs, care providers and hospitals.  The research conducted through trials in local agencies also measures achieved efficiency by streamlining the day of a nurse or PSW through use of smart referrals, logistics and supply chain management health care applications. The project also assesses the effect on job satisfaction, work culture and life balance.

“What we really need are innovations that make a positive difference in the daily lives of our urban and rural patients and staff providing care,” states Ms. Jaquays.  “An industry review notes that addressing logistics and leveraging supply chain management technology could possibly enable seven million more home care visits annually in Ontario and save the province $300 million over five years." The adoption of technology is dearly needed to provide continuity of care.”

The research team points out this technology has been implemented in the U.S.A. for several years while Canada has been slower to adapt.  They believe efficiencies are found by delivering the closest caregiver with the right qualifications to deliver continuity of care.

Bold redefinition of nursing

Some Trent Nursing students may work as PSWs in local agencies where trials are being conducted and would experience the research first-hand as the technology is fully implemented.

“This project serves as an exemplar for students of what can be done. It provides evidence to students in and out of the classroom regarding the abilities of registered nurses to be innovators and entrepreneurs in their practice.”

Learn more about the prestigious Trent/Fleming School of Nursing at Trent.