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Canadian Homecare Association (CHCA) urges governments to focus on IT in home care |
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A study of the potential use of information communication technology in home care, conducted by the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA,) contains nine recommendations that arose from the cross-Canada consultations and discussions involving hundreds of home care leaders.
The over-riding message is that there needs to be a focus on information technology to the community where Canadians experience the majority of their healthcare.
The final report, titled Integration through Information Communication Technology for Home Care in Canada , found that governments increasingly recognize the role of home care in relieving pressure on hospital beds and emergency rooms.
The report findings identified that there has not been a shift in strategic thinking and funding decisions related to technology to adequately support this vital sector of health care. "The lack of a strategic approach is evidenced by the disjointed funding and implementation of information communication technology in the home care sector," said Nadine Henningsen (pictured), Executive Director of the CHCA.
Technology helps to improve the care at the point of delivery and the quality of life for those requiring home care. For the home care provider, ICT improves the ability to see more patients, decrease paperwork and access the right information at the right time enabling collaboration with other providers. Effective application of ICT ensures that the system is appropriately and efficiently used and improves the ability to measure, assess and manage health care.
"Home care is at a critical crossroad - demand is growing, and resources remain scarce. It is essential that we equip our dedicated clinicians with the tools they need to deliver home care in a more efficient manner," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway. Infoway was a sponsor of the study.
The full report can be accessed through the Canadian Home Care Association and Canada Health Infoway. Go To: http://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/News-Events/InTheNews_long.aspx?UID=319
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