Mobile-friendly clinical software enhances resident experience for RFBI

How Telstra Health helped RFBI

We spoke to Yvonne Donaldson, Clinical Systems Educator, to find out how using the software via tablet devices has benefited their staff and residents.

“Our biggest benefit is definitely being able to capture what’s happening in the moment of care delivery without having to leave the resident. It’s changed the way we work for the better.” Yvonne Donaldson, RFBI’s Clinical System Educator

How has using Telstra Health’s Clinical Manager software and Medication Management’s MedMobile app at the point of care improved documentation and care delivery?

Documentation is now much less onerous, as information is collected via a tablet device at the time an incident occurs, when care is being delivered and to capture information relating to medication administration. With the device handy, staff take photos of residents’ wounds to track their improvement which is stored directly in the software. This has now become an expected part of care delivery for residents: recently when changing a wound dressing for a resident, she explained to me that staff show her photos so that she can also track the progress of the wound. Her expectation was to see visual proof of how it was improving right there and then.

What process did you go through to select the mobile devices (and protective covers) you use?

We have a wide range of age groups within our staff mix and some older staff were a little reluctant at first as they had never used a tablet device before. We wanted something that was user friendly and simple to use. We decided on iPad Airs as a lot of staff were familiar with iPhones and therefore had an understating of the functionality. iPad Airs are light to carry and large enough to view and write notes. We were aware they were more fragile so we did our research and found a suitable stand and cover to protect them when being used alongside care delivery.

How did you implement the mobile devices and point of care documentation?

We have 24 villages in NSW and ACT with many rural and remote. We wanted to ensure there were no Wi-Fi blackspots before implementation, so our IT team inspected the infrastructure to confirm there would be no issues. We then implemented the technology at one site at a time. This involved holding a three-hour training session at each facility that covered the basics, such as turning the device on and charging it, writing notes, checking a chart and doing a mock medication round. After completing the training, we ensured we had additional support available at the facility on the day the software launched.

How did you overcome any staff resistance to using a mobile device?

Having practical training sessions where staff could be hands-on with the tablet devices made a real difference because they could see it wasn’t as hard as they thought it would be – in fact, it was actually quite simple. We also paired up less confident users with a “village champion” who they could go to if they had any questions.

Have you had any breakages, tablets going missing or experienced any issues with the devices?

We have been using iPads for over 12 months and we haven’t had one damaged, broken or missing. We also installed device manager software so we could update all devices at one time, ensure staff don’t accidentally delete any apps from the device, and also track where the device is so we know if it leaves a facility.

How have your residents responded to the use of mobile devices? Have they experienced any benefits?

It’s been lovely to see that the devices have enabled staff to spend more one on one time with residents. Staff now make a choice to sit with the residents to write their notes, rather than having to return to a nurse’s station to type them up. Our team works in aged care because they value personal interaction and want to spend their time caring for others – rather than sitting behind a desk doing paper work – so it has been a big positive for them. Our residents also enjoy the extra time they now have to chat to staff as they enter information.

What is the single biggest reason you would recommend using Clinical Manager and MedMobile at the point of care?

Our biggest benefit is capturing what’s happening in the moment of care delivery without having to leave the resident. This process enables staff to complete required documentation while providing ongoing support and interaction. It’s changed the way we work for the better.

This is a case study only. Results will vary depending on circumstantial organisational factors, including efficient organisation implementation, and the number of modules available and implemented by the client.