Govt releases clinical software standards
The new minimum recommended Aged Care Clinical Information System Standards cover clinical information and electronic medication management systems.
The federal government has released new minimum software standards for clinical care in residential aged care homes, in line with a recommendation of the aged care royal commission.
The Aged Care Clinical Information System Standards, released by the Australian Digital Health Agency and the Department of Health and Aged Care, cover clinical information systems and electronic medication management systems.
To meet the recommended minimum requirements, clinical and medication management software used in aged care homes will need to be able to meet a set of quality statements around connectivity, clinical care and support, patient privacy and information security, and the needs of residents and their families.
The standards include the following principles:
- Data is reliable, consistent, computable and contemporary
- Data can be seamlessly shared between systems, care settings and organisations
- Data is accessible and transparent and drives improved consumer choice and decision-making
- Data drives efficient and safe clinical decision-making and positively impacts the end user experience
- Data is captured once, retains its original meaning, and can be used securely many times, as appropriate.
Significant milestone
The new standards represented a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the aged care sector, Assistant Secretary, Digital and Service Design at the Department of Health and Aged Care Sam Peascod said.
Recommendation 68 of the royal commission’s final report recommended that aged care providers use a digital care management system, including an electronic management system, that meets standards set by the ADHA and is interoperable with My Health Record.
The ACCIS Standards provide a clear and consistent direction for software developers and aged care providers on how to design and implement clinical information systems that meet the needs and expectations of residents, their families and care teams.
ADHA Branch Manager Connected Care Ryan Mavin
However, while the royal commission said the Australian government should require every approved provider of aged care delivering personal care or clinical care to do so by July 2022, the standards announced last week are only recommended.
ADHA branch manager of connected care Ryan Mavin said it was hoped the ACCIS Standards would help improve the way health information is shared across the aged care sector and with other healthcare providers.
“The ACCIS Standards provide a clear and consistent direction for software developers and aged care providers on how to design and implement clinical information systems that meet the needs and expectations of residents, their families and care teams, and ensure they will connect seamlessly with all national digital health infrastructure,” Mr Mavin said in a statement.
He said the standards should also go towards improving the continuity and enhancement of care for older Australians across hospitals, general practice and pharmacies, especially during transitions of care.
Incentive scheme
Dr George Margelis – chief technology advisor at the Aged Care and Community Care Providers Association – said the ACCIS Standards would support the much-needed adoption of digital technologies in the aged care sector.
“The new standards framework provides a basis for the development of better aged care clinical information systems and their integration with other systems, in particular, but not limited to healthcare information systems,” Dr Margelis told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Ultimately, they will lead to greater transparency of aged care service delivery, enabling older Australians and their families to make better informed decisions about the care they receive.”
Dr Margelis said it was reasonable for the standards to only be recommended at this stage, but some sort of incentive, financial or otherwise, could become part of the procurement process to support their implementation down the track.
He said the delay to the royal commission’s original 2022 timeframe was a reflection of the commission’s “overly optimistic and unrealistic deadlines” which didn’t take into account the complexities of producing digital standards.
“I know that many in the standards community have been actively working on this issue, and would prefer they focus on getting it right rather than getting it out to meet a externally influenced timeline.”
The standards have been welcomed by medical software providers, who worked with the government to develop them.
“Clear, robust standards for safety are key to keeping our older Australians safe, and the system sustainable. The industry is committed to helping the sector implement the standards, to ensure the technology they use is fit for purpose, user-friendly, secure and reliable,” Medical Software Industry Association chief executive officer and National Aged Care Advisory Council member Emma Hossack said.
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The article states “The federal government has released new minimum software standards for clinical care in residential aged care homes, in line with a recommendation of the aged care royal commission.” yet the commission’s recommendation is quoted as
” should require every approved provider of aged care delivering personal care or clinical care to do so by July 2022″ – does this not include home care under Support at Home? Will these standards be brought in for home care providers also and facilitated with funding to ensure smooth transitions across the whole aged care sector? Mention is made of delays to “get it right” – hopefully getting it right includes home care support as well.