Addressing CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs)

In the wake of the release of CQC’s two reports, “The State of Adult Social Care” and “Celebrating Good Care, Championing Outstanding Care”, it is clear that some providers struggle to adhere to the Care standards set out by CQC. For instance, the number of residential nursing homes rated unsafe is a worrying 37% (Source: The Guardian). So what can you do as a care home provider? We have tried to address how digital care planning can help you improve the five key lines of enquiry as defined by CQC.

Is the Service Effective?

Sekoia instils best practice by ensuring that all information required to deliver care is made available at the point of care itself. In addition, we also ensure that all Tasks are designated to staff based on their qualifications and thereby their role within the organisation. This ensures an effective work routine allowing for timely completion of all care duties by competent staff.

Sekoia ensures that all necessary information pertaining to legislation such as the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are made available in Instructions. Through the Observations application, there is also a provision for recording all DoLS requested in order to allow for a transparent system that reflects service users consent, in line with relevant legislation and guidance. The Plans feature may also be used for this purpose.

Is the Service Caring?

Sekoia is unique in that it is the only solution where there is a screen for each resident which solely pertains to them. This is based on the core principle of bringing the focus of care back to the resident.

Sekoia was created with the purpose of giving time ’Back to Caring’. We understand that positive caring relationships take time to nurture and this can only be done if this valuable time is freed up from staff. Therefore, the system is designed to be intuitive and quick, so that care can be recorded in an accurate and fast way, thereby allowing carers to spend more time with the people using the service. Also, applications such as pictures allow for staff to interact with the resident and have conversations about their life, family, interests. It also bridges the distance between their families and themselves and enhances communication on both sides.

Sekoia puts the service user back at the centre of care. Foremostly, by ensuring that information pertaining to the service user’s care is made available on their screen or at the point of care itself. Also by making sure care task descriptions and plans are written in first person from the perspective of the service user so that it serves as a reminder to everyone that care must be provided with focus on the service user’s consent, needs, preferences and choices.

Is the Service Well-Led?

Sekoia provides various stakeholders, in particular, the Owners and Senior Management of the home – access to Reports and Management Information that clearly outline the level of care being provided within their organisation. They are able to easily access from any location in the world, vital information that demarcates where a service is exceptional and more importantly where its key areas for improvement are.

The ability to better observe work practices over time and categorise this information in flexible formats proves extremely beneficial at Staff Meetings, One-to-One Supervisions and Staff Training days. The management is, therefore, better equipped to ascertain that a competent staff is delivering the desired care to the resident at the time needed. All these factors ensure that a service is led well from the top, no doubt leading to outstanding outcomes.

Through observing these practices consistently over a period of time and ongoing knowledge and information sharing, both staff and management develop a deeper understanding of the organisation’s strengths and weaknesses and can take active steps towards achieving best practice.

Also, if ever considering what the CQC would think about technology in care, have a look at their summary of a roundtable event May 2018.