Aged Care Quality Indicators & Delivering In Home Aged Care

by Careseekers

Quality indicators measure important aspects of care quality in government-subsidised aged care homes. They support aged care providers to evaluate and improve the quality of their services. Now we know you deliver in home care and not in residential care homes, however the quality indicators can be a great way for you to determine how your client is doing on a day to day basis. By keeping the quality indicators front of mind, you can spot problems or concerns early and get assistance for your client should they need it.

So what are the aged care quality indicators?

pressure injuries

physical restraint

unplanned weight loss

falls and major injury

medication management

Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries are areas of damage to the skin and the tissues underneath. They are caused by pressure, friction or both, and often occur over bony areas like the tailbone, elbows, heels or hips.

Developing a pressure injury can affect quality of life, particularly if the injury becomes severe. Pressure injuries are very painful, can be difficult to heal, and can make it difficult to move.

Physical Restraint

Physical restraint is any practice or intervention restricting a person’s right or freedom of movement. It is often used to keep the person receiving care and others safe. But it can also lead to unwanted outcomes for those receiving care.

Unplanned Weight Loss

Unplanned weight loss happens when someone loses a significant amount of weight without being on a weight loss plan.

Serious health issues such as hip fracture, poor wound healing, malnutrition and lower quality of life can be the result.

Falls & Major Injury

A fall is an event resulting in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground, floor or other lower level. A fall resulting in major injury meets this definition and results in one or more of the following:

bone fractures

joint dislocations

head injuries causing changes to consciousness

an injury to the brain called a subdural haematoma.

Medication Management

Medication management assists the quality of care in aged care and hospital settings. The two categories within this quality indicator are:

Medication management – polypharmacy

Medication management – antipsychotics

In some circumstances, care and support workers on the Careseekers platform may be asked to administer medication to their clients. Administering medication is a huge responsibility and to be able to do so and still be covered by Careseekers insurance, the following must be adhered to:

Before any medication can be administered, there needs to be:

  1. An administration of medication form signed by the person receiving the medication or their parent/guardian

  2. An indemnity form signed by the worker and the person receiving the medication or their parent/guardian

  3. Every time the worker administers the medication, the medication register must be filled in (the person receiving the medication or their parent/guardian must create this register as it will vary in each situation depending on how often the medication needs to be administered).

In addition to this if the person receiving the medication is under 18 years of age, their parent/guardian must give their written permission.

Please note, workers cannot administer non-prescription medication.

Workers cannot perform treatments that are prescribed by medical professionals.

Source: myagedcare.gov.au

To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer

To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers

To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers

To make a referral, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/referrals