"Standardised data sharing is vital to connected and coordinated care across the aged care sector," according to a new report by the CSIRO's Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC).
The report, titled 'The Australian aged care data landscape', has identified several "gaps".
Streamlining how data is stored and shared was identified as a key problem.
“In discussions with care recipients and care givers, we found that care recipients needed to share details of their care repeatedly because data exchange between their service providers is limited,” said AEHRC’s CEO and Research Director, Dr David Hansen, noting there were also difficulties accessing data for GPs and allied health professionals when providing care.
“If everyone involved in providing and receiving care has access to the same, up-to-date data, everyone is on the same page and older Australians can receive high-quality care,” Dr Hansen said.
The report notes that despite the aged care and health care sectors having similar data requirements, data exchange between them is limited by the lack of system interoperability.
In 2021, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found the collection, use, and consideration of data is not being optimised to benefit those accessing, providing, and delivering aged care services.
"Four years later, substantial advances in digital health technologies have impacted the aged care landscape and it is critical we understand these changes to better improve outcomes for both healthcare workers and patients," said DHCRC CEO, Annette Schmiede.
The report's findings align with the Federal Government’s Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy, which aims to establish a collaborative, standards-based care system where data collection and use is optimised.
The 2024-25 Federal Budget allocated $1.4 billion to the Department of Health and Aged Care for investment in technology systems, including approximately $600 million for the sustainment of key systems and $800 million for the implementation of reforms.
