In the complex landscape of Australian aged care, effective coordination among healthcare providers is crucial for delivering patient-centred, accessible care. The CAREFUL platform has emerged as a transformative solution, addressing the challenges of multi-professional, cross-organisational collaboration in the elderly care sector. A UK-based company, CAREFUL tackles issues that are universal across healthcare systems, demonstrating its global relevance. A recent project in Melbourne, led by Dr. Henry Konopnicki, showcases how CAREFUL is revolutionising care coordination and improving outcomes for both staff and patients.
Dr. Henry Konopnicki, who led the Melbourne project, emphasised the platform’s value: “CAREFUL has transformed the way our teams communicate and collaborate. The ability to share real-time patient information has significantly reduced errors and improved care outcomes.”
The successful implementation of CAREFUL in the Melbourne project demonstrates the platform’s potential to foster a culture of innovation in Australian healthcare. The high satisfaction rates among staff, with 91% reporting improved workflow, 91% reporting improved safety, and 97% of nurses reporting improved communication with doctors, indicate that CAREFUL is not just a technological solution but a catalyst for positive change in healthcare delivery. This willingness to embrace digital innovation is crucial for the ongoing improvement of Australia’s healthcare system, particularly in the aged care sector where the demand for efficient, high-quality care is continually growing.
Streamlining communication and collaboration
One of the most significant strengths of the CAREFUL platform is its ability to break down communication silos between different healthcare organisations. In the Melbourne project, which involved a 100-bed elder care home, two community pharmacies, a mental health facility, a GP service, and a group of nurse practitioners, CAREFUL replaced a fragmented system of emails, SMSs, WhatsApp, and phone calls with a unified, real-time communication platform.
This consolidation of communication channels led to remarkable improvements, including a reduction in serious medication and communication errors, saving 30–60 minutes of GP time per day, with even greater savings on weekends and after hours. Additionally, GPs were able to provide more immediate and better care to patients, nursing staff experienced less stress when communicating medical problems to GPs, and medical decisions and actions were documented and audited more quickly. “The streamlined communication through CAREFUL has reduced unnecessary delays and improved response times,” Dr. Konopnicki notes. “Our healthcare teams now work more efficiently, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.”
Enhancing patient-centred care
The CAREFUL platform prioritises patient-centred care, a key goal for Australian clinicians. By providing a shared view of patient cohorts and their care plans, CAREFUL ensures that all healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care are on the same page. This level of coordination reduces errors and creates better outcomes through continuity of care. For elderly patients, who often have complex health needs and interact with multiple healthcare providers, this coordinated approach is particularly beneficial. It minimises the risk of important information being lost or forgotten during transitions of care, a common issue in aged care settings.
Improving accessibility and efficiency
Accessibility is a crucial aspect of Australian healthcare, especially in aged care where mobility can be a challenge. CAREFUL addresses this by enabling seamless collaboration between healthcare providers, regardless of their physical location. This is particularly valuable in a country like Australia, where geographical distances can be significant. The platform’s efficiency gains are substantial. In the Melbourne project, the lead GP reported having more face-to-face time with patients due to reduced time spent on administrative tasks and chasing information.
Dr. Konopnicki noted that these efficiency gains directly benefit both staff and patients. “By removing unnecessary administrative burdens, CAREFUL allows clinicians to focus on patient care, leading to better experiences for staff and safer, more effective care for patients.”
Addressing interoperability challenges
One of the most significant challenges in Australian healthcare is the interoperability of different systems. CAREFUL’s forward-looking focus on addressing interoperability with clinical and social care systems positions it as a solution that can grow and adapt with the evolving needs of the Australian healthcare landscape. This interoperability is particularly crucial in aged care, where patients often require services from multiple providers across different care settings. By enabling seamless information sharing and collaboration, CAREFUL helps ensure that elderly patients receive coordinated, continuous care regardless of where they are in the healthcare system.
Moving towards the future of aged care
The CAREFUL platform represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of care coordination in Australian aged care. By streamlining communication, enhancing patient-centred care, improving accessibility and efficiency, fostering innovation, and addressing interoperability challenges, CAREFUL aligns closely with the goals and needs of Australian clinicians and the healthcare system at large.
As Australia continues to grapple with an ageing population and the complex care needs that come with it, solutions like CAREFUL will be instrumental in ensuring that the healthcare system can provide high-quality, coordinated care to elderly Australians. The success of the Melbourne project serves as a compelling case study for the potential of digital platforms to transform aged care delivery across the country.
By embracing innovative solutions like CAREFUL, Australian healthcare providers can work towards a future where aged care is truly patient-centred, accessible, and seamlessly coordinated across all care settings. This not only improves outcomes for patients but also enhances job satisfaction for healthcare professionals, creating a win-win situation for all involved in the care of our elderly population.
By DJ Hamblin-Brown, Founder and CEO of CAREFUL
Dr DJ Hamblin-Brown is an emergency doctor with the NHS, having qualified in 1996. He has had a varied career as a computer scientist, management consultant, hospital leader and most recently as a digital health entrepreneur with CAREFUL, a clinical coordination app. He is also a director of UKDHC, a membership organisation for digital health and care users and developers.
DJ has extensive front-line experience in designing and using digital products for both clinical and operational use. His leadership, technical and clinical experience gives him a unique perspective on the rapidly changing landscape of digital health and care.
