Caring Homes Introduce Digital Reception To Boost Efficiency and Improve Data Security
Caring Homes has embarked upon the group-wide implementation of a digital reception system which is already proving a success in the first five care homes to adopt the technology.
This new system - PCS Digital Reception - will replace traditional visitors’ books with an electronic tablet which will benefit visitors to our care homes and help our teams deliver the best possible person centred care to our residents.
The advantages of the Digital Reception system over a paper-based set up include a more efficient sign in / sign out process and robust data protection for visitors, and an opportunity for our care homes to capture valuable feedback from visitors in real time.
More Efficient Sign In and Out Process
Currently, visitors need to fill out their name, the date, the name of the person they are visiting, their car registration number and the time of arrival. The digital version requires only their name and the name of the person they are visiting, with the system logging the time of entry and exit. Digital Reception will recognise the name of regular visitors and prompt it on the system.
Additionally, the system effectively creates a live fire log so that visitors to the building can be accounted for should the building need to be evacuated.
More Robust GDPR Compliance
The digital version will give greater data protection to visitors, enabling us to secure their information privately and securely without personal data being on public view in a traditional signing in book.
An Opportunity to Capture Real Time Feedback from Visitors
The Digital Reception system also provides a platform for visitors to give instant feedback, allowing the care homes to receive valuable insights.
As they sign out on the tablet, visitors will be prompted to answer one question about the care home. The questions have been designed to cover a different subject each month – for example, the range of weekend activities, safety, cleanliness - and the question will be a different one each week. The system will also recognise if someone has visited more than once in the same week and will not ask the same question twice
Questions are answered with a score between 1 and 5. There is also a comments box below where visitors may add additional information or feedback. Home Managers are able to access the all the information in real time, which means that they will swiftly follow up if they see a low score or a comment that requires action. Data is also compiled centrally and shared weekly with Home Managers so they are aware of any trends in feedback and have insight into visitors’ perception of standards in their care homes.
Helpful Suggestions and Positive Comments
This access to instant feedback will help us make timely improvements and address any concerns, helping us to improve the experience of visitors to the home and ensure the best possible person centred care to our residents.
The comments box has proved popular so far and a useful source of information, with helpful suggestions including the marking of car parking spaces, and ways of making check-in more efficient for regular visitors. In addition, a range of positive comments have included praise for the warm welcome which meant a new resident felt settled within just four days and more generally, recognition of individual team members, enjoyment of particular activities and appreciation of the atmosphere in our care homes.
As the implementation continues across the group, we’re confident that the combination of real time feedback and technology will help us to continue improving the level of person centred care we give to every Caring Homes resident, alongside the quality of service we offer to all our visitors.
