19 – Networking digital solutions in care

September 23, 2024

The Lab

Evangelische Altenhilfe St. Georgen im Schwarzwald

The challenge

In the care sector, there are now a large number of digital applications and partial solutions designed to help care staff make their everyday lives easier. Whether documentation, medication management or communication with relatives – there is a separate app or application for almost every task. The problem, however, is that these solutions often exist in isolation from one another. The multitude of apps leads to a confusing and inefficient work process, as care staff have to constantly switch between different applications. What’s more, these apps are often not linked to the central care software, which means that data has to be recorded or transferred twice. 

Possible solutions 

We therefore need a solution that connects all these different applications and integrates them seamlessly into the existing care software. Such a platform would enable care staff to work with just one central system in which all relevant data and functions flow together. This would not only save them time, but also avoid errors caused by manual transmissions. At the same time, this network would improve clarity and make work processes much more efficient.  

 A central platform that links all apps and systems would noticeably reduce the workload of care staff and give them more time for what really matters: caring for people. 

Requirements and boundary conditions   

  1. technical requirements:
  • Interface compatibility: The tool must have interfaces (APIs) that are compatible with the existing care software so that data can be exchanged seamlessly.  
  • Cloud or server-based solution: To enable access from different locations (inpatient, outpatient, day-care), the tool should be cloud-based or operated via a central server solution.   
  • User-friendliness: The interface should be intuitive and easy to use in order to minimize administrative effort and promote rapid acceptance among employees.  
  • Real-time data synchronization: All data must be synchronized between departments in real time so that all departments are always up to date.  
  • Mobile accessibility: The tool should also be available on mobile devices to provide optimum support for outpatient services on the move. 
  1. legal and data protection requirements:
  • Data protection and GDPR compliance: The tool must meet all the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes encrypted data transmission, access restrictions and the ability to view data only by authorized persons.  
  • Security standards: The system must meet high security standards to protect sensitive health data. This includes regular backups, firewalls, authentication procedures and access logs.  
  • Documentation requirements: The tool must be able to record and store all relevant data and documentation in accordance with legal requirements.