While staffing shortages remain a challenge, technology can provide direct support to workers as well as time-savings that enable staff to spend more time caring for residents. A special session at the recent LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO, held Oct. 16-19, 2022, in Denver, addressed the potential.

A HealthTech article covered the session “Can Technology Help You Tackle Staffing Shortages?” and shared these top takeaways.

A strategic IT plan that aligns with the organization’s strategy is essential, said Steven VanderVelde, director of senior living partnerships at ProviNET Solutions, a LeadingAge Bronze Partner with CAST Focus.

When it comes to aligning strategy, organizations should make sure they share a strategic vision with their vendors, advice attributed to Travis Gleinig, CIO of LeadingAge Provider Member United Methodist Communities.

A strong network infrastructure to support technologies is another must-have.

Panelists noted that initiatives such as tech concierges free up staff to focus on other tasks. Solutions such as the VSTAlert system from VirtuSense, which Gleinig said has reduced falls resulting in injury by 71%, also support staff, according to the article.

Virtual reality technology can help staff to understand how their patients who experience dementia or disabilities perceive the world, leading to greater empathy and better care, said Thrive Innovation Center CEO Sheri Rose. Learn more in a recent Tech Time article, “Virtual Reality Aids Dementia Care.”

Data analytics technologies can identify changes in patients’ eating habits or conditions and send alerts directly to nurses, suggesting needed clinical interventions. This system saves nurses time in reviewing records and lets them care for patients quickly, according to Angela Huffman, vice president of clinical services at Affinity Health Services.

Data analytics solutions can even monitor coding issues that affect reimbursement and support workers by identifying the need for additional coding training.

For more insights, read the full article.