Data Standardisation in Aged and Community Care

Australian aged care programs currently do not have an overarching framework that articulates the purpose and application of data and data systems within the sector. This results in uncertainty, duplication of efforts, inadequate access to vital information at multiple levels, and a paralysis of system developers who might otherwise generate significant system improvements. The lack of data framework also impedes the delivery of high-quality care across the continuum of aged and community care sector.

Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (ACIITC) recognises and advocates for the needs of data collection standardisation for aged and community care as an integral part of our aged care technology roadmap. The first step to achieving this was to understand the availability of systems that could enable standardised data collection with a focus on aged and community care.

ACIITC reviewed the research facilities in Australia and identified The University of Queensland, Centre for Health Services Research (CHSR) as having the leading experts in health informatics in aged care. Additionally, the University is experienced in the use and implementation of online health and data collection tools. ACIITC commissioned the CHSR to undertake a global survey and evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment systems for residential and community aged care.

The access the report, click here.

ACIITC & UQ Partnership

ACIITC has been investigating and advocating for the need for data standardisation in the aged and community care sector. ACIITC data standardisation work has been supported by the research expertise of CHSR. This collaboration is focused on collaborating to drive improvement and consistency in the collection and use of data in aged and community care.

ACIITC commissioned The University of Queensland Centre for Health Services Research, to undertake a global survey and evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment systems for residential and community aged care.

Project artefacts

To commence this body of work, the partnership has developed several artefacts as a starting point for data standardisation for aged and community care.

A survey and evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment systems for residential and community aged care and case studies.

The research project used standard research methodologies to identify and review the comprehensive geriatric assessment tools globally available. The methods used were similar to other surveys conducted by researchers in countries such as Belgium, Canada, and New Zealand.

To access the final report: A survey and evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment systems for residential and community aged care click here.

Industry codesign 

ACIITC and CHSR would like to thank the members of ACIITC National Roundtable involved in the Data Standardisation Expert Industry Advisory Committee. This committee was highly represented of the current composition of the aged and community care sector including large, medium, and small organisations, and specialist service delivery, and covered all geographical locations including metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote areas.

Target audience

The target audience for these documents includes Government, aged and community care service providers, technology vendors and software developers, research and other stakeholders interested in the Australian aged and community care sector and/or data standardisation in general.