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The Direct Care Workforce: Obstacles and Opportunities Elizabeth Royal, SEIU June 13, 2013. Direct Care Workers and HIT. SEIU. 2.2 million members Over 1 million health care workers Over 600,000 direct care workers 27 states, DC and Canada.
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The Direct Care Workforce: Obstacles and Opportunities Elizabeth Royal, SEIU June 13, 2013 Direct Care Workers and HIT
SEIU • 2.2 million members • Over 1 million health care workers • Over 600,000 direct care workers • 27 states, DC and Canada
Facts about Direct Care Workers** Direct Care Work : Low wages Few, if any, benefits High turnover High rates of injury Chronic shortages • CNAs, HHAs, Personal Care Workers • 2.3 million in personal care and home health ** • 1.7 million CNAs • 90% female • Age 25-54 • Disproportionately minority • Significant proportion are foreign born **Source: “Caring for America.” PHI Dec. 2011.
HIT and Long Term Care: Why does it matter? • Bulk of care in LTC settings where adoption lags • Characteristics of LTC settings inhibit adoption • ACA and Care Coordination
HIT in Home and Community-Based Care • Portal Technology • IHSS Home Care Workers: Members of Care Coordination Team under Managed Care • NY Care at Hand, VA, MA [https://careathand.com/#!home]
Nursing Homes and CNA documentation** • CNAs driving implementation and adoption • Digital pen technology, hand held computers • Important Lessons ** On-Time Quality Improvement for Long Term Care. Case Studies, “Digital Pen Technology Results in Better Care and Improves Staff Satisfaction.” http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/research/ltc/casestudies.pdf
What do we know about how to train to this technology? • Involve DCWs in planning and implementation • Understand and plan for the needs of workers • Maintain constant and ongoing training • Utilize various venues for training and make it flexible
Setting the Stage for Successful Adoption • Fund innovative pilots, especially those that expand DCW roles • Ensure adequate funding and support for the technology • Remember the needs of the setting and of the end users
Elizabeth Royal elizabeth.royal@seiu.org Thank you