Digital aged care tool wins national innovation award
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Australia’s first electronic screening and risk prediction tool for aged care residents has been recognised with a prestigious national award for its impact on health and safety.
The tool, developed through a collaboration between RMIT University, Telstra Health, and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC), received the 2024 Digital and Data Health Innovation Award at the Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards in Melbourne.
The tool represents a significant step in advancing aged care by addressing critical gaps in detecting and responding to the early signs of health deterioration in frail residents. Using natural language processing and machine learning, the system analyses electronic health records for 36 evidence-based markers of deterioration, including risks for falls, depression and mortality.
“This milestone marks a crucial step forward in creating safer, higher-quality aged care environments,” said Telstra Health’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Monica Trujillo. “By harnessing natural language processing and machine learning, we are not only improving resident outcomes but also supporting care providers with actionable insights to make timely, life-saving decisions.”
Detecting deterioration in aged care residents has long been a challenge, with early signs often subtle and difficult to identify. Workforce shortages further exacerbate the issue, leading to nearly 40% of residents being transferred to hospitals annually—many of which are avoidable.
Dr Tabinda Sarwar, project lead at RMIT, highlighted the complexity of tailoring the tool to meet the diverse needs of aged care facilities. “This project wasn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We had to consider the specific needs of each facility, and that is what makes this achievement so significant,” she said.
The tool’s real-time predictions are displayed on a dashboard, allowing aged care staff to proactively monitor individual residents and broader trends. This innovation supports timely interventions, reducing the need for costly and stressful hospital transfers, which research shows could be avoided in up to 40% of cases.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without working closely with care staff on the ground,” Dr. Sarwar said. “Their expertise and assistance have been invaluable in ensuring our solutions are not just effective but also practical and relevant to the daily challenges faced in aged care.”
The tool has undergone extensive validation and usability testing, and its success has drawn national acclaim. Annette Schmiede, CEO of DHCRC, underscored its importance in addressing growing healthcare demands. “This innovation demonstrates how routinely collected data can ensure aged care residents receive the care they deserve while easing pressure on healthcare providers,” she said.
The recognition by Research Australia follows earlier accolades from Cooperative Research Australia, solidifying the tool’s reputation as a groundbreaking advancement in aged care. Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin celebrated the achievement, saying, “We congratulate all winners of our Health and Medical Research Awards and commend them on their efforts to help position Australia as a global leader in their fields.”
Related: Australian-first tool bags national prize for improving aged care
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
