Welcome to AutumnCare

Press Release 22nd April 2010

Software Company Commissions Fundamental Aged Care Research

AutumnCare solidified its position as a major contributor to the Aged Care sector today when they announced an extensive research project with the University of Sydney.

AutumnCare has engaged the pre-eminent Health Informatics Research and Evaluation Unit lead by Professor Johanna Westbrook to undertake a fundamental study into aged care processes.

Professor Westbrook said “This is the first time we have seen a software company commission to have such important work undertaken. It is refreshing to see an Australian company funding fundamental research in Healthcare and we are very excited by this project”.

Professor Westbrook also went onto say “Despite the widespread community concern about the viability and sustainability of aged care services, there is little evidence about what can be done to improve its efficiency and effectiveness and enhance the quality of care provided to residents. Residential aged-care facilities remain a largely neglected area of research investigation and this project will make an important contribution to providing new evidence about work processes and how information technology might support improvements in care.”

Stuart Hope, MD AutumnCare, said “That to help the Aged Care industry empirical data is required to enable process improvement decisions to be made. Also to further advance our technology we need this data as an input to our development pathway”. Stuart went onto say “We have engaged the Health Informatics Research and Evaluation Unit as we are impressed with the calibre of the work performed by them. A good example was their Observational Study published in the Medical Journal of Australia that indicated, in the acute sector, that 30% to 40% of a clinician’s time was spent in professional communications. By applying technology strategically we can reduce the time spent on communication and other tasks. Thereby improving productivity and giving better outcomes to all involved”.

The project will be led by Dr Andrew Georgiou from the University of Sydney who has considerable experience in projects of this type in the Health Sector. Eileen Ross, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, who has extensive aged care experience will be the AutumnCare lead.

The project is estimated to cost $250,000 and is partly funded with a $50,000 “Researchers in Business” grant. “Researchers in Business” is a $10 million commitment within the Australian Government's Enterprise Connect initiative.

Read more at the University of Sydney's website here.

About AutumnCare

AutumnCare is a privately owned Australian-based software company, with offices located in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Established in 2000, AutumnCare provides the most advanced clinical and operational solutions available for the aged care industry. With the market’s leading and award winning technology, AutumnCare is best placed to help aged care providers meet the changing needs of the aged care industry today and well into the future.

For further information contact:
Stuart Hope Managing Director
Phone: (08) 9472 0444
Mobile: 0407 797 776
Email: stuart@autumncare.com.au
Web: www.autumncare.com.au




Press Release 22nd April 2010 Software Company Commissions Fundamental Aged Care Research AutumnCare solidified its position as a major contributor to the Aged Care sector today when they announced an extensive research project with the University of Sydney. AutumnCare has engaged the pre-eminent Health Informatics Research and Evaluation Unit lead by Professor Johanna Westbrook to undertake a fundamental study into aged care processes. Professor Westbrook said “This is the first time we have seen a software company commission to have such important work undertaken. It is refreshing to see an Australian company funding fundamental research in Healthcare and we are very excited by this project”. Professor Westbrook also went onto say “Despite the widespread community concern about the viability and sustainability of aged care services, there is little evidence about what can be done to improve its efficiency and effectiveness and enhance the quality of care provided to residents. Residential aged-care facilities remain a largely neglected area of research investigation and this project will make an important contribution to providing new evidence about work processes and how information technology might support improvements in care.” Stuart Hope, MD AutumnCare, said “That to help the Aged Care industry empirical data is required to enable process improvement decisions to be made. Also to further advance our technology we need this data as an input to our development pathway”. Stuart went onto say “We have engaged the Health Informatics Research and Evaluation Unit as we are impressed with the calibre of the work performed by them. A good example was their Observational Study published in the Medical Journal of Australia that indicated, in the acute sector, that 30% to 40% of a clinician’s time was spent in professional communications. By applying technology strategically we can reduce the time spent on communication and other tasks. Thereby improving productivity and giving better outcomes to all involved”. The project will be led by Dr Andrew Georgiou from the University of Sydney who has considerable experience in projects of this type in the Health Sector. Eileen Ross, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, who has extensive aged care experience will be the AutumnCare lead. The project is estimated to cost $250,000 and is partly funded with a $50,000 “Researchers in Business” grant. “Researchers in Business” is a $10 million commitment within the Australian Government's Enterprise Connect initiative. Read more at the University of Sydney's website here. About AutumnCare AutumnCare is a privately owned Australian-based software company, with offices located in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Established in 2000, AutumnCare provides the most advanced clinical and operational solutions available for the aged care industry. With the market’s leading and award winning technology, AutumnCare is best placed to help aged care providers meet the changing needs of the aged care industry today and well into the future. For further information contact: Stuart Hope Managing Director Phone: (08) 9472 0444 Mobile: 0407 797 776 Email: stuart@autumncare.com.au Web: www.autumncare.com.au