“There are no budgets,” “we don’t know where to start,” “there is no time or staff for it”. Recognizable? When healthcare organizations are asked when they will innovate, these are the most common answers.
Care organization Noorderbreedte did want to go for it. With fifteen residential care centers in the province of Friesland, including one on Terschelling, and a rehabilitation center in Leeuwarden, Noorderbreedte provides personal and humane care in the VVT (Nursing, Care and Home Care) sector every day. To maximize its commitment to tomorrow’s care, Noorderbreedte chose PQR.
The 3 biggest challenges for healthcare in the future
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), nurses face an above-average workload. “Nurses are up,” says Marcel Laan, program manager at PQR. To keep the quality of care at a high level, new technologies must simplify the work of employees simplified.
With an aging population in the Netherlands on the rise, the question is whether there will be enough staff in the future to meet this challenge. Technological innovations have great appeal to the new generations of healthcare workers and can win over prospective students in their choice of study.
With the ‘Langer Thuis’ program, the central government aims to encourage independent living for the elderly and improve the quality of care. That means plenty of investment in care at a distance. Tomorrow’s care delivery is intra- and extramural. But to make that happen, a strong network that increases mobility is needed. Healthcare workers will increasingly rely on wireless devices to measure, for example, blood pressure, heart rate or weight from a distance.
Time for transition. But where to start?
Noorderbreedte, together with PQR, is accelerating into the future by tackle every work process integrally. With over twelve years of experience as an IT manager in the healthcare industry, Marcel knows the challenges and pitfalls of the sector like no other and can effortlessly “sit in the customer’s chair.” Marcel: “Many vendors only see their own solutions, but we provide the overview, coordination and healthcare expertise.” “We work with the client to develop an IT vision and execute it.”
“We provide oversight, coordination and care expertise.”
Marcel Laan, program manager at PQR
Home automation makes everyday life easy
Noorderbreedte’s vision of care is centered on the client. Yet there is often no time and space to keep that vision in mind. This is where home automation makes a world of difference. Wandering and fall detection, person alarms and geo-fencing allow residents to free movement with minimal worries.
During night shifts, nurses also no longer have to make rounds, which can interfere with residents’ privacy and sleep. Smart sensors alert care workers at the right time so they can act quickly. Optimal WiFi coverage enables innovation, simplifies employee work and gives residents maximum freedom of movement.
Meet Tessa
To best train and guide the care staff, Noorderbreedte established an adoption team and an innovation committee. They must ensure that employees master the technologies and feel comfortable in the new workplace.
Noorderbreedte is betting on labor-saving technologies, with the goal of working more efficiently within the team, allowing more attention to the resident and answering the question around aging.
Noorderbreedte also uses care robot Tessa. This social care robot helps residents make and remember appointments, encourages them to participate in activities and supports them in daily routine tasks. This increases residents’ independence, which is of great value. This is how they maintain control over their own lives.
Remote care, at any level of urgency
Image calling is an important innovation for Noorderbreedte. Because of the many locations – one of which is on the Wadden Islands – quick and easy remote communication between colleagues is necessary.
Image calling also increases the well-being of clients. Family members, friends or acquaintances can thus check in at any time of the day just check in or pay a virtual visit. In addition, a family member can consult with caregivers more quickly, allowing them to receive additional education as needed.
From care robots to geo-fencing to image calling, care innovations are reducing staff workloads and giving clients more freedom. The rise of new technologies in healthcare requires more of your network. That’s why PQR formed a partnership with Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, that puts availability, easy management and speed at the center without losing sight of the security of your sensitive data.
Lay the foundation with a solid infrastructure
To enable technological innovations in home automation, telemetry and robotics, Noorderbreedte has chosen a secure and reliable network from HPE Aruba. After all, healthcare facilities must provide the best care day and night. Aruba’s network solutions, keep the quality of care up, any time of day, from any location. With PQR as a partner and the networks of Aruba, Noorderbreedte is driving the healthcare transition.
“The management of Noorderbreedte is enthusiastic about our integrated approach,” says Marcel. “They really dare to do it.” PQR is committed to helping long-term healthcare customers innovate. At your own pace and with smart investments.
“The management of Noorderbreedte is enthusiastic about our integrated approach.”
Marcel Laan, program manager at PQR
