22-April-2005
Goldstein Media Releases, Funding
Two Melbourne aged care homes are leading a new national trial to investigate using information technology to improve continence care for older Australians.
The Acting Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, and the Member for Goldstein, Andrew Robb, today launched the trial at Ashleigh Aged Care Facility in Brighton. The system is also being trialed at Dava Lodge Aged Care Facility in Mornington.
The Australian Government has provided $275,000 for the two year project, which uses an electronic diagnostic sensor within a pad liner with a direct radio link to nursing staff who are immediately alerted to a resident’s continence condition.
"Currently continence management can involve staff checking residents’ condition hourly, including at night," Ms Bishop said.
"This electronic monitoring system has the potential to eliminate unnecessary interruptions to residents, improving their quality of life, as well as improving work systems for aged care staff."
"By participating in these trials Ashleigh Aged Care Facility is leading the way in investigating how IT can improve care for residents here in the bayside region, and across the nation," Mr Robb said.
"While computers will never take the place of compassionate staff, they can help to improve the quality of life of residents and make the job easier for nurses and other carers."
The incontinence management trial is being conducted by a consortium led by Fred Bergman Healthcare Pty Ltd which includes CSIRO Energy and Thermofluids Engineering, the Monash University School of Rural Health, SmartCaller Pty Ltd and SCA Hygiene (Sancella Pty Ltd).
It is one of five clinical IT projects being trialed with $1.3 million in Australian Government funding. Other trials cover a mobile point of care device to monitor residents’ vital signs; electronic prescribing of residents’ medications; wound management; and computerised medication management.
Media contacts: Rachael Thompson(Ms Bishop) 0417 265 289
Kathryn Hodges (Mr Robb) 0409 132 567