In social care, the need for accurate and reliable data is key. However, this data likely comes from various sources often be in a range of different formats. This lack of consistency can lead to inaccuracies, having the potential to impact the efficiency of your processes or even the effectiveness of client care. But this is where data standardisation can come into play.
Digitising Social Care (DHSC) states, ‘Data standards ensure consistency and reduce duplication of reporting requirements. It is also a fundamental element in making sure that systems can share information securely and seamlessly. All with the aim of reducing the admin burden on care staff and supporting them in delivering person-centred care.’
In this article, we’re looking at what data standardisation is, and the key benefits and challenges of managing data standardisation in social care.
What is data standardisation?
Data standardisation involves creating consistent formats for data to ensure seamless sharing and interoperability between different systems, services and teams.
This can be key for social care providers because it helps reduce duplication, ensures secure and efficient information sharing and supports the delivery of person-centred, holistic care.
Data standardisation vs data normalisation
As we know, data standardisation involves converting data into a standard format to enhance compatibility and interoperability across multiple platforms.
Data normalisation, on the other hand, focuses on ensuring that data is stored consistently and without errors. This ensures that that data is reliable, which is crucial for maintaining data accuracy over time.
Why is data standardisation important in care?
Data standardisation can be a key benefit in social care for many reasons:
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Improving data quality
Data standardisation helps to remove data silos across different functions and services, reducing errors and variations. In social care, this helps to ensure that information in one sector is clear and accessible for other stakeholders, such as your clients GP. That way, they can make important decisions from standardised data, rather than misinterpret information from a variety of formats which could lead to the wrong action being taken.
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Improving care quality
And as part of improving data quality, standardisation can also help with improving care quality. That’s because when accurate and up-to-date care information is easily accessible by all people involved in your client’s care, it can lead to more informed decision-making and better client outcomes. Plus, with a more seamless exchange of data, it reduces administrative burdens on your care service, allowing you to focus more on delivering high-quality care.
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Sharing data
As a care provider, you likely use multiple systems to record and view vital care information. With data standardisation, all parties involved in your client’s care have access to the same information. This is particularly beneficial in complex care cases where multiple care professionals are involved in client care, as it facilitates a more cohesive and efficient care process.
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Supporting regulatory compliance
Data standardisation can play a vital role in supporting regulatory compliance within social care. Things like ensuring that data is consistent and accurate, having more seamless traceability and auditing, and helping reduce the risk of errors being made can support social care providers when compiling and presenting the necessary information to demonstrate compliance.
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Enhancing operational efficiency
Data standardisation helps to streamline data management by reducing the need for duplication of data entry or waiting for information to be shared across multiple functions or services. The time and associated costs being saved can then be redirected towards other vital care needs.
What are the challenges faced with data standardisation in care?
By ensuring that data is recorded and formatted consistently, different services and systems can seamlessly exchange information, improving interoperability and communication across health and social care. But there may be some hurdles to overcome:
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Managing cost and complexity
One obstacle of data standardisation is the complexity of aligning diverse data systems. Health and social care providers often use a variety of IT systems and platforms, each with its own data formats and protocols.
And while data standardisation can help reduce costs in the long run, bringing these disparate systems into a unified standard, whilst balancing the budget, may require some significant coordination and technical expertise.
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Fear of change
Resistance to change from stakeholders is another common challenge. It can be the case that teams are accustomed to their current systems and processes and convincing them to adopt new standards can be difficult. This resistance can stem from concerns about the learning curve associated with new systems, potential disruptions to workflows or simply a preference for familiar methods.
Things like ongoing training and support for staff may be essential to successful data standardisation. This ensures that the transition to standardised data systems enhances rather than hinders care delivery.
Check out our blog ‘How to get your care teams embracing new software’ for more information.
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Ensuring security
Ensuring data privacy and security during standardisation efforts adds another layer of complexity. As data is shared more widely across systems and services, protecting sensitive information becomes even more crucial. Therefore, it’s important to balance the need for comprehensive data sharing with stringent security protocols to protect client data.
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Allowing flexibility
Maintaining flexibility in order to adapt to any future technological advancements is crucial as well. The health and social care sectors are rapidly evolving when it comes to digitalisation, and any standardisation efforts must be flexible to incorporate new technologies and methods without requiring complete overhauls of hard work that has already been done. Again, this will likely need some substantial organisation and expertise to manage
Data standards in social care
The Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) develops standards for digital health and social care records, with an aim to drive digital transformation throughout health and care by ensuring that information can be easily accessed by those who need it.
And as part of the assured suppliers list for Digital Social Care Records (DSCR), software suppliers must ‘demonstrate how they meet key criteria including conformance with the PRSB ‘About Me’ and Personalised Care and Support Plan Standards.’
You can check out the full list of PRSB’s standards here: PRSB Standards
And don’t forget to take a look at our DSCR assured care business management solution, Care Cloud, for all types and sizes of care provider.