The Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) has released an industry-backed ‘Communique’ to mark a new era of consumer, provider, vendor, clinician, and researcher collaboration on the effective use of data standards to support truly digital, connected aged care sector.
In July, the DHCRC and the Sparked Program, led by CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre, co-hosted ‘Ignite the spark for Aged Care’ in Melbourne.
The event was designed to inform, engage and mobilise the aged care sector at a critical time in Australia’s digital health reform agenda, bringing together 76 participants representing aged care providers, clinicians, consumers, government agencies, peak bodies, software vendors, researchers and standards organisations.
Participants explored how interoperability, digital health standards and connected care can improve outcomes for older Australians, identifying the capabilities, partnerships and implementation pathways needed to support adoption.
The post-event Communique presents a call-to-action for an industry, reinforcing that with national digital health reforms, new interoperability standards and common data foundations being developed and implemented now, action can no longer be deferred.
It outlines a future for the aged care sector where:
- Information is captured once and reused appropriately many times and older Australians understand how, when and where their information is being shared and are not required to repeatedly provide the same information.
- Authorised providers can access relevant and trusted information when needed.
- Functional assessments, care plans and clinical information can be reused across services and settings.
- Care transitions are safer, more coordinated and less burdensome.
- Standards are implemented consistently across the sector.
- Multiple pathways, both digital and non-digital, are available to all older Australians
- Interoperability supports better care outcomes rather than simply meeting compliance requirements.
The communique concludes: The opportunity is immediate, the foundations are being established now, and active participation from across the sector will be critical to achieving a connected, person-centred aged care system that improves care quality, safety and outcomes for older Australians.
