Effect of long-term care insurance on communication/recording tasks for in-home nursing care services

The purpose of this research was to clarify the possible changes brought about by the introduction of the long-term care insurance system in terms of number of communication/recording tasks, related nursing services in use, and when and where these tasks were performed. By examining the detailed content of communication/recording tasks, this study also sought to explore the advantages of introducing information technology (IT) systems in nursing service settings. The study was designed before-and-after study in two sessions, February 2000 and August 2000, namely before and after the introduction of Japan's long-term care insurance system. Participants were clients using the institution's in-home nursing services and all staff in a medical institution located in the Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Following measurements were performed: (1). nursing service in use, (2). type of job, (3). date and time, (4). from whom, (5). to whom, (6). communication tool and (7). content, related to a particular communication. Communication/recording tasks were frequently performed around the starting and closing time of services. Following the adoption of the new system, these tasks tended to occur mostly around the starting time of services. As for the staff, the involvement of the professional carers increased. Regarding content of communication/recording, reports, confirmation and instruction increased. In conclusion, the use of IT driven devices is recommended to streamline the performance of communication/recording tasks as well as to ease the rush of these tasks thereby improving the quality of nursing services.