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Residents of Aged Care Homes (RACHs) experience challenges with timely access to GPs and allied health and afterhours hospital transfers. It is often difficult for residents to be transported to external appointments or identify specialists who will provide consultations on site. RACHs require adequate telehealth facilities to support access to virtual consultations to care for their residents.
CHN received funding from the Australian Government to support the uplifting of telehealth capabilities in RACH. The funding was distributed by CHN as “Telehealth Grants” which enabled the 24 ACT RACHs who applied to purchase telehealth enabled equipment for virtual care, including computers on wheels, laptops, tablets and remote tele-monitoring systems. RACHs were able to choose from a range of recommended equipment that was most suitable as per their need and other IT infrastructure. Additionally, some RACHs have been able to access training through the supplier of their equipment, while others were able to draw on their internal training programs.
Our consultations with RACHs also revealed that successful telehealth consults required to the implementation of telehealth into the RACH policies, procedures and to embed it in their operational workflow. In response, CHN through a successful tender process has been able to work with Enkindle Consulting to implement a comprehensive telehealth training and coaching program.
The training sessions will cover how to use telehealth equipment, how to conduct virtual consultations that will enable the resident and health care professional to achieve high quality consultations. The training will also provide practical information on embedding and integrating telehealth with other existing systems and processes within the residential aged care homes and additional resources or guides to use post training.
- 7/27 Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) now registered to use HealthDirect Video Call. There has been an increase in uptake of bookings via Health Practitioners therefore RACHs aren’t required to be registered.
- Residents of Aged Care Homes have better access to GPs, specialists and allied health through the option of virtual care using telehealth when clinically appropriate.
- Complex wounds are now able to be assessed without delay, the homes can apply the treatments with virtual support and without the need for a transfer to hospital.
- One residential aged care home reported the telehealth equipment funded by CHN was used to facilitate a family case conference for a resident whose family lived overseas. This was the first time the family member was able to participate in such a consultation as they were not physically able to travel.
Testimonial
Provided by a RACH telehealth grant recipient:
- We acquired a computer on wheels, 3 laptops, 3 webcams and an iPad. Our clinical assessments are now conducted directly with residents while using electronic devices during face-to-face interactions. The convenience of these devices is evident during our weekly GP rounds. The introduction of these devices has increased the amount of face-to-face time residents have with our clinical team, including Clinical Nurse Specialists, the palliative care team, GPs and Registered Nurses.
- Residents appreciate the increased virtual engagement with medical professionals. Logistically our residents enjoy avoiding a physical trip to a GP and allied health service just for simple prescriptions or follow-up appointments. They also appreciate having issues addressed promptly, rather than having to wait for physical appointments.
- Telehealth equipment has enabled wound specialists to manage and support wound care remotely and GPs to provide additional support to their regular on-site rounds.
