Improving Quality and Safety in Aged Care through Digital Innovation and Data-Driven Interventions - read online

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

Study on improving quality of aged care while minimizing clinical risks through digitalization and data-driven interventions. Addresses aged-care challenges such as polypharmacy, nutritional deficits, and reduced mobility. Evaluates three recent initiatives: gradual eMAR rollout across 120 care homes with medication error outcomes; 24/7 Nurse Practitioner–supported Wellness Hubs in Australia assessing time to healing for pressure ulcers; and a Spain digital care model using room voice assistants tied to individualized care plans, tracking falls incidence. Data consolidated in Power BI dashboards.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1239 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4142 IMPROVING QUALITY AND SAFETY IN AGED CARE THROUGH DIGITAL INNOVATION AND DATA-DRIVEN INTERVENTIONS Francois Xavier Duchateau1, Aileen Waton2, Mel White3, Ana Isabel Fernandez Castello4, Siobhan Mackintosh5, and Anne Lepetit5, 1. BUPA, London, England, United Kingdom, 2. Bupa UK, London, England, United Kingdom, 3. Bupa Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4. Sanitas, Madrid, Castilla y Leon, Spain, 5. Bupa, London, England, United Kingdom Introduction Improving the quality of care while minimizing risks remains a core objective for healthcare organizations. Aged care (AC) presents unique challenges associated with the older population, particularly polypharmacy, nutritional deficits, and reduced mobility. This study illustrates how digitalization and data-driven approaches can support quality improvement in AC, through the evaluation of 3 recent initiatives. Methods We are anon-profit international healthcare provider that delivers AC. In the UK, an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) system was gradually implemented across 120 care homes (CH) between June 2023 and June 2024.The effectiveness of this intervention was assessed through reported medication error rates. In the Australia, 57 CH are supported by 13 Wellness Hubs staffed by 24/7 Nurse Practitioners, who coordinate multidisciplinary teams including dietitians, physiotherapists, wound care specialists... As a quality indicator, we measured the time to healing for pressure ulcers. In Spain, 45 CH adopted a digital care model including voice assistants (Alexa) in each room to provide real-time care instructions, based on individualized care plans. The incidence of falls per 1,000 bed-days was reported. All data were consolidated using Power BI dashboards. Results Following the implementation of eMAR, minor medication errors decreased by 7%, and moderate to major errors declined by 50% . In APAC, the healing time for pressure ulcers was reduced by 42 days. In Spain, the rate of falls decreased to below 5 per 1,000 bed-days. Conclusion These findings suggest that the implementation of tailored, technology-enabled initiatives can significantly enhance quality and safety in AC.

FAQs

What aged-care problems does the study target?

It targets quality improvement while minimizing risks, focusing on challenges linked to older populations such as polypharmacy, nutritional deficits, and reduced mobility.

How were the digital interventions implemented in the three regions?

In the UK, an electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) was gradually implemented across 120 care homes. In Australia, 57 care homes were supported by 13 Wellness Hubs staffed by 24/7 Nurse Practitioners. In Spain, 45 care homes adopted a digital care model with voice assistants (Alexa) in each room to deliver real-time care instructions.

What outcomes were measured and what were the key results?

Medication error rates were assessed after eMAR implementation, with minor errors down 7% and moderate-to-major errors down 50%. In APAC, time to healing for pressure ulcers decreased by 42 days. In Spain, falls declined to below 5 per 1,000 bed-days, with all data consolidated using Power BI dashboards.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by dhado