Digital tools can benefit residents

An article in Municipal Health reported about an app developed in collaboration between a company and the national quality register for hard-to-heal wounds, Rikssår. The principle is based on a nurse or assistant nurse logging into the system, inputting a number of variables about the patient and taking a picture. The data is transferred to a platform where the caregivers can follow the individual patient's wound healing process through the pictures and discuss the appropriate treatment. If the team working with wound treatment needs help in complicated cases, experts from Rikssår can be involved as digital support.

Avoid unnecessary home visits

Many municipalities now offer camera inspections instead of home visits at night. This has meant that the elderly can sleep peacefully and do not have to lie awake waiting for the night patrol to arrive, as they will not come unless it's necessary.

Sensors that alert in case of fall accidents or medication dispensers that remind when it's time to take medication are also used. Robots that feed a person have been around for a few years. There are also shower robots that can wash hair and toilets that wash the user with water instead of using paper. The positive aspect is that there will be an alarm if something happens and it can increase independence for those who wish. However, it is important that machines do not replace human contact. The well-being of the resident must be the focus.

Self-check

Digital signing lists increase compliance when it comes to prescriptions of medication and other interventions in elderly care. During a visit to a newly built elderly home, there was a TV screen and webcam in each room. The resident could thus easily have video calls with their relatives and the relatives could be involved in care planning and other things at the home without physically having to be there.

Mobile phones and tablets are also used, among other things, to sign off on completed tasks, but also to provide digital life stories and make the implementation plan easily accessible to the staff.

When SKR took the temperature of how healthcare workers view digital technology, it turned out that nurses are the most positive, but that assistant nurses also have a positive attitude towards technology use in care.

Welfare technology is still often quite expensive, but with more users and increased competition, the price picture will change. The operation needs to conduct risk analyses for what the introduction of technology entails, especially in terms of quality and values.

Reflection questions - digital technology
Care staff:
- Do you have any digital technology at your residence today?
- What would you need to further improve care for your elderly?
- Do you have any ideas for products that could improve care?

Manager, nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist:
- Have you discussed the digital development together?
- Can you influence which technology should be used within the residence?
- What is the attitude towards new technology in your unit?
- Is this area included in your competence development plan for the unit?

Residents and relatives:
- How does the operation document?
- Is a webcam or other equipment used to keep in touch with you when you cannot visit the operation?

Erland Olsson
Specialist nurse
Sofrosyne - Better care every day