11.15.2024 Juanita
Things you need to do for a hassle-free switch
Are you thinking about switching care management software vendors? In this article, we'll discuss what you need to consider before switching, signs that it's time to consider switching, how to switch hassle-free, and choosing a vendor who prioritises person-centred care!
The integration of digital technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of social care. Most care providers have proactively adopted digital solutions to enhance and streamline their operations in order to provide better care to those in need.
However, given the rapid development and release of these digital solutions, the urgency of implementing a digital social care record system before the government's digital deadline, and the multitude of new care management software vendors that have recently emerged with a whole heap of other digital solutions to manage different aspects of care, it's crucial to ensure you're choosing the right one.
The decision is no longer about finding digital solutions; it's about identifying the most appropriate digital solutions for your care organisation, taking into consideration factors such as:
- Functionality
- Interoperability
- User-friendliness
- Security
- Scalability
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So, with regulatory compliance deeming it a near-necessity to implement digital solutions in order to remain at the forefront of care provision, alongside the government's digital deadline, not to mention the rising standards of care that residents and their families expect and deserve, the focus has shifted.
It is no longer a question of whether to switch to a care management software vendor but which one to choose.
Signs it's time to make the switch
When managing a care organisation, the last thing you want is to be uncertain about the digital solutions in place. You need reliable, user-friendly digital solutions that are dependable, straightforward, and seamlessly support day-to-day operations and care-related tasks without any unexpected disruptions.
If you find yourself questioning the effectiveness of your current care management software vendor, below are several key indicators that may suggest it's time to consider making a change.
- Poor implementation - Have you been handed a digital solution and left to use it without training?
Care providers must receive adequate training before implementing any new digital solution. Regardless of the intuitive nature of a digital solution, users will still require a certain level of support to ensure they are utilising the functionality correctly.
- Lack of support - Are you encountering challenges when attempting to reach out to the support or technical team? Long response times or inadequate solutions to your concerns may indicate that the current care management software vendor is not prioritising your needs. In such situations, exploring alternative vendors who prioritise providing reliable support and addressing customer concerns is a good idea.
- Lack of scalability - A lack of scalability can prevent your care organisation from expanding operations in response to market demand, which poses significant risks to your success and growth.
Care providers should seek a care management software vendor that offers cloud-based software, providing flexible storage solutions that can adjust to your storage needs. This means you can achieve growth without worrying about storage limitations.
- Clunky and cumbersome - Are your digital solutions clunky and cumbersome? Do they hinder efficiency and frustrate your care workers instead of facilitating smooth operations? Maybe they have an outdated interface, slow response times, or are too big to carry around to evidence care on the go. If you answer yes to all these questions, it's time to switch.
- Not interoperable - Let's say you have a digital social care record system in place. Sharing information between health and social care services using an interoperable digital social care record system is crucial in providing the best possible care for individuals. If your system is not interoperable, it's time to switch.
Click here to read more about interoperable digital social care record systems.
- Not giving carers more time to care - Digital solutions should effectively reduce the time spent by care workers on tedious administrative tasks.
This enables them to dedicate more quality time to engaging with and attending to the needs of the residents, ultimately enhancing their overall wellbeing. If carers find themselves overwhelmed by administrative duties and unable to provide the necessary attention to residents, it may be time to switch to a more efficient system.
- No IT partner accreditations or certifications - Now, this is an important one! If your care management software vendor lacks robust accreditations, your care organisation's accreditations are at risk and harder to renew. Third-party verification indicates reliability and trustworthiness and makes your compliance easier. If there are no robust accreditations, it's time to switch!
- No regular enhancements or new functionalities - If your digital solutions do not regularly release updates with new functionality or improvements, they may become outdated and more susceptible to security threats and other online dangers. Care management software vendors must invest in continuously enhancing and developing their products. If this is not happening, it is time to consider switching to a more up-to-date and secure software solution.
What you need to consider before switching
Care providers must consider several important factors when deciding to switch to better support day-to-day operations and care-related tasks:
- Allocating sufficient time for thorough research is essential. Begin by exploring the offerings of each care management software vendor on the market. For example, if you're choosing a digital social care record system, make sure they're on the Assured Supplier list for added quality assurance.
(The Assured Supplier List, which includes Person Centred Software, is a list of care management software vendors who have passed rigorous selection criteria to ensure they can deliver against national specifications, that their solution meets core capabilities, and that their financial position is stable.
If you purchase a system from this list, you can be confident that it has been assured at the highest level.) - Seek insights from other care providers who have switched from paper to digital, and delve into detailed case studies and reviews to comprehensively understand the available options.
- Schedule a consultation/demo with each care management software vendor to understand their digital solutions and assess the expertise and efficiency of the vendor's staff.
During these sessions, ask specific questions and thoroughly explore the software's functionality and features to ensure they align with your organisation's requirements and expectations.
- Assess the time and resources required for training and implementation. This entails allocating sufficient time to adequately train all staff members, helping to ensure they are fully prepared for the implementation process.
- Gather lots of feedback from care workers. It's crucial to involve the frontline care workers in the decision-making process, as they will also be using the software. Gathering their input and addressing concerns can lead to a more successful transition.
So, you've decided to switch care management software vendors; what's next?
The importance of partnering with a long-term supplier
Ok, you've decided to switch. It's time to conduct thorough research on potential vendors! When searching for a care management software vendor, looking beyond your current needs, such as a digital social care record system, is essential. Focus on finding vendors committed to building a long-term partnership with your organisation.
Consider your future requirements, as this will help you identify which vendor best fits your needs over time. While you may need a digital social care record system now, you might want to expand and find other digital solutions for medication management, solutions to improve the resident experience, or a nurse call messaging service, etc, later on. Ensure your chosen vendor can support your growth and provide the necessary tools for future expansions.
Take your time to make a well-informed decision because your chosen vendor can significantly impact the quality of care your organisation delivers. If your vendor is committed to the long term, they will want to thoroughly understand your care organisation. They must understand every aspect of your care organisation because this in-depth understanding will enable them to meet your organisation's unique needs effectively and provide tailored, comprehensive support.
Also, choosing a vendor that can offer long-term support allows for the exchange of feedback and ideas over time, helping the vendor tailor the software to meet your care organisation's specific needs.
Additionally, establishing a strong relationship with your vendor is crucial for any organisation aiming to achieve long-term success.
Having a single vendor guide you through every step of your digital journey can make the process much smoother and stress-free.
Make life easier by choosing a care management software vendor that offers an all-in-one solution
With the UK's deadline for digitising the sector approaching, many care providers increasingly adopt multiple software solutions to streamline operations, enhance care delivery, and comply with regulations.
These software solutions range from digital social care record and medication management systems to front-of-house digital receptions and care home maintenance tools; the range of software solutions out there for helping to manage various aspects of care is endless. Care providers need to be aware that switching to an all-in-one care management platform that combines all the necessary software solutions we've just mentioned, plus more, can provide many benefits and eliminate the need for multiple systems.
For example, our Connected Care Platform covers the full spectrum of care management through integrated solutions that help drive outstanding care and improve the lives of those receiving care and those working in the sector.
Solutions include:
Care ManagementMedication Management
Resident Experience
Learning & Development
Care Operations
The platform allows care providers to use single or multiple solutions that connect using one device. Each solution is designed to address a particular part of care and, when used together, provides a complete solution to help drive outstanding care, enhance resident outcomes, the lives of care workers, the delivery of person-centred care and the overall efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of care settings.
Having one system that does everything reduces cost and speeds up working processes.
Why you should switch to Person Centred Software
- Reliable and assured by the NHS
- Personal records and sensitive information are kept secure and protected
- Our innovative solutions are designed with a focus on person-centred care
- Improves compliance with regulators
- Improves regulatory ratings and makes you a more attractive prospect for potential customers
- Customer support that is second to none
- The largest network of integrated best-in-class partners
- We offer data migration services, meaning you can be sure that when you switch, your data is handled safely, reliably and professionally
We prioritise person centred care
Helping to ensure people have care and treatment that is personalised specifically for them
With over a decade of expertise in developing integrated solutions for all service types within the social care sector, we are the ideal choice for your care organisation's software needs.
Our cutting-edge solutions are designed with the individual in mind, helping to ensure that each resident receives appropriate person-centred care and treatment based on their needs and preferences.
From user interface to functionality, our commitment to the person-centred approach is echoed in every aspect of our software, including our name - Person Centred Software!
The provision of person-centred care is an essential requirement mandated by all the national regulators across the UK.
Our innovative solutions have a long list of benefits, including helping your care organisation adopt a person-centred approach while ensuring compliance with the regulators; here's how:
Tailoring care to match an individual's unique needs and preferences also extends to the software and systems supporting this approach.
At Person Centred Software, our solutions help care professionals provide care that is respectful of and responsive to the person being cared for, considering their desires, individual circumstances, interests, and lifestyles. This helps to place the person being cared for at the centre of the care process.
For example, using our digital social care record system, care staff can truly personalise care with its 'Person-centred Interactions' feature, which helps care professionals:
- Truly understand how residents like to be cared for and who they are as individuals
- Gives carers the information they need at their fingertips to enable them to provide person-centred care
- Helps part-time workers and bank staff to get to know all the residents quickly.
The system also includes features such as 'Who I Am' and 'Plan Care Day', which allow care workers to tailor their approach and provide personalised care based on the individual's preferences and needs.
Additionally, the system empowers carers and managers to develop and implement highly personalised care plans tailored to each resident's unique needs. This ensures that each resident's needs are being met with detailed care plans and that carers can be fully aware of each resident's care needs.
Click here to book a consultation to learn more about our person-centred solutions.
Person-centred care is about placing the person being cared for at the heart of care and doing everything you can to put their needs first, but it's also about making time for people.
Our solutions are designed to streamline and automate a number of routine care tasks, significantly reducing the administrative burden and freeing up valuable time for care workers. This, in turn, enables carers to engage in more meaningful interactions with residents, fostering a more personalised and attentive approach to care.
Switching to a care software provider who prioritises person-centred care is essential
By incorporating person-centred care software into your care operations, you can enhance the overall wellbeing of residents.
This includes fostering a happier and more peaceful environment for individuals and ensuring their needs are met more easily and efficiently.
Transitioning to Person Centred Software: How to Begin
Transitioning to Person Centred Software is a breeze! Whether you're currently using paper-based systems or with another provider, we've got you covered every step of the way and will help you ensure a smooth transition.
To find out more, schedule a consultation and speak with one of our friendly experts about getting started.
In the consultation, our team will gather all the necessary information and discuss your care organisation's needs and preferences. From there, we'll take care of everything and guide you through the process every step of the way.
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