LTC Resources: How-To Workbook Provides Guidance on Information Technology for Long-Term Care

Many long-term care facilities are in need of resources to help them prepare for implementation of electronic health records (EHR), as well as other clinical software tools and technology infrastructure to support the aging population requiring long-term care services at an unprecedented rate. To support long-term care leaders in this goal, LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) has released a comprehensive how-to workbook titled Strategic Planning and Strategic IT Planning for Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Providers. The guide begins by explaining the importance of clearly defining information technology (IT) goals within the context of organizational leadership, structure, and processes.

The workbook covers a variety of topics, including common models and approaches to strategic planning, and the components of an information technology infrastructure, workflow, and design. It delineates the role and responsibilities of a chief information technology officer (CIO), but while presenting alternative options for smaller organizations that do not have a CIO. It encourages leaders to understand their existing infrastructure and the competencies of their staff in order to update and upgrade their technology accordingly. The processes of conducting needs assessments, selecting applications for interoperability, and seeking external partners are all reviewed. The guide offers numerous practical scenarios and shows providers which questions they should be asking. For example, facilities that are weighing their options for EHR systems should reach out to the hospitals and clinics from which a majority of their residents are admitted to make sure that the EHR systems are compatible. There is also section of the guide devoted to reference templates, tools, and additional resources on strategic information technology planning.

According to LeadingAge representatives, the workbook is just the first component of numerous tools that are planned, such as online interactive educational modules and a set of provider case studies. “In this era of shifting reimbursements, increasing demand to do more for less, rising consumer expectations for quality, and increasing need to demonstrate excellence through objective data, there really hasn’t been a more critical time for aging services providers to be thinking strategically about technology,” said Majd Alwan, executive director of CAST, in a press release. “This guide will ensure that providers incorporate technology throughout their strategic plan in a way that helps them meet those changing needs and enable quality-of-care and quality-of-life outcomes for those they serve.” Learn more at www.leadingage.com.