Expanding national aged care provider Apollo Care (Apollo) has partnered with technology innovator Rauland Australia (Rauland) to enhance care team communication and responsiveness.
Apollo’s Technology Enterprise Architecture Strategy (TEAS) is focused on cloud infrastructure. The business has chosen solutions that are scalable, can be integrated to support workflow and data exchange and deliver mobile reporting to inform business decisions.
Cameron Burt, Chief Executive Officer at Rauland Australia comments, “Rauland’s high-tech Responder nurse call solutions will be delivered across three Apollo sites in Maryborough and Rockhampton. Apollo is focused on giving its care team increased mobility when responding to residents, liaising with other staff and accessing documentation.
“The ability to communicate more efficiently with one smart mobile device using 4D radar technology will empower Apollo’s employees to provide proactive care to residents. Reporting capabilities will also be improved to keep pace with regulatory and compliance changes.
“Apollo is about to choose a mobile device that can distribute all services using an app interface. A direct speech pathway from the mobile device to resident rooms will reduce response times and enhance satisfaction for residents (and their families) when they need assistance,” he added.
“Nurse call ensures reliability with immediate and timely messaging via a clever IT network. The service pulls data from Apollo’s sites into a consolidated area for review. Resident safety monitoring will also soon be pre-wired into the ceiling to provide 24/7 discreet monitoring for residents to detect falls, ensuring a rapid response.”
According to invest.nsw.gov.au, Australia’s aged care sector already generates almost $20 billion a year in revenue. That figure is expected to grow at 4.7% a year for the next five years.
The drive for digital transformation and the use of technology is now greater than ever in the aged care sector as a direct result of industry challenges as well as new standards and a new act soon to come into effect.
Barry Ashcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Apollo Care comments, “Apollo Care’s purpose is to support older Australians to live their way with grace and dignity. Investment in technology is a critical part of this delivery. By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our care teams, we can free up more time for them to focus on what’s most important, caring for residents.
“Partnering with a technology business that could grow with us was an integral part of our decision to choose Rauland. Rauland has a solid product that is used globally, supported by strong local and national teams with the resources to assist when needed.”
He added, “There were a number of features that we liked about Rauland’s high-tech nurse call solution including IP based architecture with various integration benefits. Rauland’s voice, mobile devices and data reporting all feed into our current IT system.
“The ability to leverage off resident monitoring with voice activation services at all bedsides through call points is very important. The nurse call solution can easily be upgraded or replaced at new sites, ensuring the same solution is available across all sites and fits neatly into TEAS.”
Cutting edge technology is a key part of Apollo’s expansion plans. The ability to easily transition new facilities into the company’s cloud-based technology environment and operational model was identified as paramount to the growth and success of the business.
Mr Ashcroft concluded, “Technology is not only an enabler, but absolutely essential for aged care facilities to consistently deliver quality care to their residents. One of the key recommendations in the Royal Commission report was for aged care providers to formulate a technology strategy and roadmap that marries commercial business strategy with improved resident outcomes. This recommendation is at the forefront of Apollo’s investment and expansion plan strategy.”
Rauland’s Concentric Care enterprise platform, which incorporates Responder nurse care solutions provides healthcare facilities with the value of a complete, end to end communication and technology experience. Scalable enterprise architecture brings organisations, departments, buildings and units together in a single technology solution, adaptive to the size and specialisation of the specific care environment.
