Software provider, Log my Care, has launched its new Care Plan and Assessments tool, designed to revolutionise how care plans are created and managed.
The new tool is designed to save time, while enabling care managers to create individual care plans that meet CQC’s requirements.
Unlike other care planning tools, information links through seamlessly from initial pre-assessment, to a full set of care plans for each activity of daily living (ADL), to a full set of risk assessments.
For example, if a pre-assessment shows that a person has some difficulties with mobility, straightaway this becomes part of the care plan and the app prompts a full mobility assessment and helps identify risks.
This means that care teams quickly build an understanding of what the person can do by themselves and what they need help with – and crucially, informs what practical actions staff need to take on the ground.
The care planning tool was developed after research carried out by Log my Care identified several common problems in the care planning process.
One of the most frequent complaints was having to enter the same basic information – such as name, date of birth and next of kin – again and again in lots of different places.
With Log my Care this information now needs to be entered just once, saving time, improving efficiency, and reducing the risk of errors.
Another challenge was the lack of specific regulatory guidance about what should go into a care plan.
Log my Care have therefore created a full library of assessments to help guide care professionals through the process of identifying the care individual people might need.
Care teams also reported that care planning is very time consuming and involves a lot of writing.
Log my Care have designed the new module to be intuitive and easy-to-use, with drop-down boxes where possible.
And risk scores and levels are calculated as assessments are filled in, removing the need for mental maths, while documents are automatically compiled to build up a one-stop complete care plan.
Using the app also means care staff have the care plan at their fingertips, rather than it being locked away in an office.
A version is saved automatically so there is a record of any changes made to the care plan over time, creating an instant audit trail. And reminders can also be set to make sure reviews are triggered regularly and on time.
“Our new care planning tool joins the dots through the whole process, leading to detailed, personalised and practical care plans. This is a step-change in what we can offer the sector
Alexandra Anton, care manager at Carrick House Nursing Home, was one of the care managers involved in road-testing the new module. She said: “In the past, we sometimes felt so tied up with the paperwork that it was difficult to focus on what is truly important in a care plan.
“We said we wanted care plans that are adaptable, and we wanted help to make sure that nothing is missed.
“That is exactly what we have with Log my Care’s new module. It has already completely changed the way we view and carry out the whole process. Care planning is also taking us a fraction of the time it used to, allowing us so much more time to focus on the people we care for rather than the admin.”
Stuart Prince, an independent consultant with over 30 years experience in the care sector, advised Log my Care during the development of the new tool and added: “For a care planning tool to work effectively it needs to be built with the co-operation of people actually working in care.
“From the very-early stages, Log my Care have involved care providers in testing concepts and content, which I think is the right way to go about it.
“Person-centred planning is an absolute must, too, and it is of huge importance that it runs right through the care planning process.
“It is not easy to do, but Log my Care have got a design that allows that.
Sam Hussain is the founder of Log My Care
“With Log my Care’s Care Planning tool, because the process begins with the assessment, it means the person is involved fully right from the start – and the plan is about their strengths just as much as about what they need support with.”
And Sam Hussain, founder of Log my Care, said: “The care planning process is vitally important, but too many hours are being lost, which we see as a terrible waste.
“Carers told us that they know their time is better spent with people rather than copying and pasting their date of birth across 50 forms.
“People have put care plans online before, but they tend to be static forms, which really isn’t that helpful.
For a care planning tool to work effectively it needs to be built with the co-operation of people actually working in care
“Our new care planning tool joins the dots through the whole process, leading to detailed, personalised and practical care plans. This is a step-change in what we can offer the sector.”
Log my Care’s core system is free to use and available to download from both the App Store and Google Play.
The Care Planning and Assessments module is free to all users for 30 days. After this period, users can continue for a cost of £40 + VAT per home per month.
