The Key to Improving Nursing Care Rewards! The Future of Nursing Care Sites Changing with ICT Introduction

The deepening challenges of the nursing care industry and the potential for solutions through ICT

The nursing care industry is currently facing a serious labor shortage and a difficult business environment. As of 2024, the active job opening ratio for nursing care staff nationwide has exceeded 3.5 times, and a chronic shortage of human resources continues. At the same time, with the need for optimization of nursing care rewards and operational efficiency, many nursing care providers are struggling to stabilize their management.
Under these circumstances, the utilization of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is attracting attention. There is a close relationship between the improvement of nursing care rewards and the introduction of ICT, and the introduction of appropriate systems makes it possible to achieve both operational efficiency and increased profitability.
In this article, we will explain in detail the relationship between nursing care rewards and ICT, and provide concrete usage methods and keys to success for business operators who are actually considering introduction.

Basic knowledge of nursing care rewards and ICT

Overview of the nursing care reward system

Nursing care rewards are the compensation paid to providers who have provided nursing care services under the nursing care insurance system. They are revised every three years by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and in the 2024 fiscal year revision, an overall increase of 1.59% was implemented.
Nursing care rewards consist of the following elements:

• Basic rewards: Rewards that serve as the basis for service provision

• Various additions: Additional rewards that evaluate the quality and efficiency of services

• Regional classification: Adjustments reflecting regional labor cost levels

The transformation that ICT brings to the nursing care industry

ICT is a concept that combines information technology (IT) with communication technology, and in the nursing care field, the following technologies are utilized:
Recording and management systems

• Nursing care recording system

• Billing management system

• Shift management system

Care support systems

• Monitoring sensors

• Medication management system

• Vital monitoring

Communication systems

• Information sharing using tablet terminals - Family contact system

• Multi-professional collaboration platform

Impact of ICT Adoption on Nursing Care Reimbursement

The adoption of ICT contributes directly and indirectly to the improvement of nursing care reimbursement. In the 2021 nursing care reimbursement revision, the "Scientific Nursing Care Promotion System Addition" was newly established, and data collection and analysis utilizing ICT began to be evaluated.
Furthermore, operational efficiency improvements increase productivity per staff member, which in turn leads to improved profitability for the facility.

Specific Methods for Improving Nursing Care Reimbursement through ICT Adoption

Step 1: Current Status Analysis and Formulation of an Adoption Plan

First, analyze the current status of your facility in detail and clarify the issues you wish to resolve through ICT adoption.
Items to be analyzed

• Current nursing care reimbursement structure (breakdown of basic reimbursement and additions)

• Workflows and time allocation

• Tasks that are a burden on staff

• Requests from users and their families

Key points for the adoption plan

• Calculation of investment recovery period (generally 2-3 years)

• Phased adoption schedule

• Staff training plan

• Budget allocation

Step 2: Selection of ICT Systems that Lead to Acquiring Additions

Prioritize the consideration of ICT systems that are directly linked to acquiring nursing care reimbursement additions.
Systems compatible with the Scientific Nursing Care Promotion System Addition (LIFE)

• Addition of 40-60 units per month is possible

• Scientifically analyze changes in user conditions

• Submission of information to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "LIFE" database is required

Support systems for calculating treatment improvement additions

• Management of staff qualifications and years of experience

• Support for formulating wage improvement plans

• Streamlining the creation of performance reports

Indirect effects through operational efficiency

• Reduction in recording time (average 30-40% reduction)

• Improvement in billing accuracy

• Reduction in staff overtime hours

Step 3: System implementation and start of operation

Proceed with the implementation of the selected system in stages.
Implementation Phase 1: Building the core system

• Introduction of nursing care recording system

• Migration of existing data

• Basic operation training

Implementation Phase 2: Integration of peripheral systems

• Integration with billing systems

• Installation of monitoring sensors

• Building an information sharing system among multiple professions

Implementation Phase 3: Advanced data utilization

• Improving the quality of data submitted to LIFE

• Strengthening the scientific basis of care plans

• Enhancement of services for families

Step 4: Effect Measurement and Continuous Improvement

Quantitatively measure the effects of ICT introduction and plan for continuous improvement.
Examples of Measurement Indicators

• Changes in total nursing care rewards

• Improvement in additional acquisition rates

• Effect of reducing work hours

• Changes in user satisfaction

• Improvement in staff turnover rates

Points and Considerations When Introducing ICT

Challenges and Countermeasures During Introduction

Addressing staff resistance: When introducing ICT, resistance can arise, especially from older staff. To solve this issue:

• Phased introduction schedule

• Thorough training programs

• Development of ICT leaders

• Concrete explanation of introduction benefits

Reducing the burden of initial investment: Introducing an ICT system requires a corresponding initial investment. Ways to reduce the burden include:

• Utilization of IT introduction subsidies

• Installment payments via lease agreements

• Phased addition of functions

• Cost reduction through integration with existing systems

Importance of security measures: In the nursing care industry, which handles personal information, security measures are essential:

• Introduction of two-factor authentication

• Regular security training

• Data backup system

• Access log management

Key points to learn from success stories

Success story of Nursing Care Office A: A day service with 50 staff members achieved the following results through ICT introduction:

• 20% increase in nursing care rewards

• 50% reduction in documentation time

• Improved staff satisfaction

Factors for success

• Leadership of the management team

• Goal sharing among all staff

• Continuous training implementation

• Close cooperation with vendors

Utilization of subsidies and grant systems

Major systems supporting ICT introduction:
IT Introduction Subsidy

• Subsidy rate: Within 1/2

• Maximum subsidy amount: 4.5 million yen

• Target: Software costs, introduction-related costs

Nursing care robot introduction support project

• Subsidy rate: Within 1/2

• Subsidy limit: 300,000 yen per device

• Target: Monitoring support equipment, transfer support equipment, etc.

Work Style Reform Promotion Support Subsidy

• ICT introduction that contributes to productivity improvement is eligible

• A track record of reducing working hours is required

Summary: Realizing increased nursing care rewards and operational improvements through ICT utilization

The relationship between nursing care rewards and ICT is expected to become increasingly close in the future. In the 2024 fiscal year nursing care reward revision, there is a growing trend to emphasize ICT utilization and the provision of data-based care.
Main benefits of ICT introduction:

• Direct effect: Increase in nursing care rewards through the acquisition of various additions

• Indirect effect: Productivity improvement through operational efficiency

• Long-term effect: Improvement in staff satisfaction and turnover rates

The key to success is to accurately grasp the issues of your own facility and introduce ICT in a phased and planned manner. Although initial investment is necessary, investment recovery is fully possible with proper introduction, leading to the construction of a sustainable management foundation.
As the nursing care industry continues to face labor shortages and a harsh management environment, optimizing nursing care rewards using ICT is no longer an option but an essential strategy. Please refer to the content introduced in this article and consider the development of your nursing care business through ICT introduction.
It is important to continue to monitor trends in the nursing care reward system and advances in ICT technology, and to formulate management strategies based on the latest information. Through appropriate ICT utilization, let us realize the sustainable growth of the business while providing better care to users.