TECHNOLOGY EQUALS = QUALITY OF LIFE, RESIDENT SAFETY and POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE SAVINGS

While almost the entire country has embraced iPhones, iPads and other electronic gadgets the healthcare delivery system, excluding hospitals, is still primarily a paper and pencil system.  This creates numerous opportunities to make mistakes and is inherently economically inefficient.

The continuing care retirement community, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities need to be moving rapidly to integrate healthcare related technology into their daily operations.  Some providers have done this but many have chosen not to for a variety of reasons.

Village On The Isle made the commitment in 2008 to integrate technology throughout the campus for the benefit of the more than 400 residents who make VOTI their home.

Independent Living: The entire campus was wired to provide no charge WI-FI and SKYPE for residents and guests.  Other communication tools include Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and a constantly up-dating website.

Mark Manor Assisted Living: Electronic medication management system installed to reduce significantly the potential of making medication errors.  A Care Tracker (Assisted Living Specific) system to reduce paperwork and to better assure that each residents’ specific care needs are being appropriately met.

Luke Haven Skilled Nursing Facility: Fully integrated electronic medical record system.  Medication management system that significantly reduces the possibility of medication errors and wasted medication.  A Care Tracker (Skilled Nursing Facility specific) system that assures that each residents’ medical needs are clearly identified and appropriate services are provided in a timely manner.

All of the above improve resident/patient outcomes, reduce needless paperwork, and saves the healthcare delivery system money.

Organizations that choose not to utilize available technology usually cite the following reasons:

1. It costs too much!
2. Staff might not like it!
3. Don’t have an in-house information technology specialist!
4. Waiting for the government to mandate it!

All these “reasons” actually ring hollow.  The cost of the technology is reasonable, staff fully embraces having more time to be with the residents/patients, minimal IT support necessary and waiting for the government will only raise costs to the providers.

How do you put a price on resident/patient safety?

Well, think about it…you know that feeling when you walk into your favorite coffee shop and the staff knows to bring you that double shot espresso with a little cream? How about when you sit down to dine at your favorite restaurant and the manager comes over and thanks you by name?  How good does that make you feel?  Now, how important is this when it comes to your retirement?  How important is this when it comes to the continuing care facility your mother and father are living in? VERY IMPORTANT.

Longevity and low turnover provides continuity of care for the residents that live at Village On The Isle. There are many practices that keep our employees satisfied here. We know how important the children of our staff are and we accommodate staff schedules to work around childcare & school.  We also allow our staff to cash in 20 hours per pay period of earned vacation time to help with the rising cost of gas.  Wellness programs for weight loss and smoking cessation are offered for reimbursement as well.

Village On The Isle currently has 277 associates.  We have 22 associates that have been here between 10-15 years of service. Nineteen of the 277 have been here for over 15 years and two of them have 28 years of service with Village On The Isle. Frequently our staff is visited by our CEO, Tom Kelly who randomly gives out gift cards to local restaurants, $2 bills as well as 1$ gold coins. These visits are done on all different shifts including holidays.

10 Year Staff Luncheon for Village On The Isle

A happy staff makes for happy, satisfied residents and overall better quality care. Staff recognition is so important to us here.  It fulfills our mission by enhancing our staff and thus our residents!