In my keynote speech, Home Health Care 2020: The Six Pillars of the Agency Of The Futuree, one of the pillars is the Technology Pillar. Here’s an item that advances that concept.

The Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada (VON) has signed a two-year deal worth more than C$10 million with IBM to help the organization transform the way home and community health care is delivered in Canada.

IBM will provide new business processes and clinical technologies – including mobile wireless hand-held devices for hundreds of home health care providers to schedule appointments and collect, share and access patient information in real-time. Other systems such as human resources, talent management, benefits administration, finance and accounting will also be automated and interconnected as part of the project.

This transformational initiative will enable the national, not-for-profit organization’s 52 locations across Canada to be more integrated and cost-efficient, thereby improving community services and patient care.

“VON’s vision is to streamline practices and create a technology platform that is compatible with provincial systems, so we are in better position to integrate into the larger healthcare system,” says Judith Shamian, president and chief executive officer of VON Canada.

Home health care is the fastest growing sector in health care and as the Canadian population ages, demand will increase. Approximately 900,000 Canadians regularly access home care. Between 1995 and 2002, the number of Canadians receiving home care increased by more than 60 per cent.

What are you doing in the Technology Pillar? What new innovations are you using to streamline practices and improve outcomes in home heath care? How are you using technology to grow your business?

Give us your ideas and innovations in the comments section below.