RFP: Are You Asking the Right Questions?You know you need software to run your assisted living as·sist·ed living n. A living arrangement in which people with special needs, especially older people with disabilities, reside in a facility that provides help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. facility. You've narrowed the list to two or three candidates. Now it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to send out that RFP (Request For Proposal) A document that invites a vendor to submit a bid for hardware, software and/or services. It may provide a general or very detailed specification of the system. 1. (business) RFP - Request for Proposal. 2. . Whoa! Those initials may stand for Request for Proposal, but they also stand for Right For your Purpose. Are you sure you're asking the vendor the right questions? "Sending out an RFP is a big job--it takes a lot of homework," says attorney Steven Fox, chair of information systems practice group for Ober Kaler in Baltimore, MD. "You want to be sure the software does exactly what you need done." Unfortunately, Fox says, most people don't really know what they want the computer to do for them. "I've seen clients get into trouble because they don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. the scope of what the computer can do when they sent out the RFP," he says. "So they don't ask. Later they have problems because they had assumed the software could do certain things. If you don't ask, the vendor is under no obligation to say what the software won't do." Fox recommends hiring a consultant to help you identify the tasks you want to accomplish and to make you aware of how software can facilitate operations. "Create a check chart that's a kind of wish list," he advises. "The vendor can then check off each item of functionality that the software can do." And make sure to hold the vendor's feet to the fire. Does the contract stipulate stip·u·late 1 v. stip·u·lat·ed, stip·u·lat·ing, stip·u·lates v.tr. 1. a. To lay down as a condition of an agreement; require by contract. b. that the software will perform the functions as stated in the response to your RFP? There's many a slip twixt twixt also 'twixt prep. Betwixt. the salesman and the technician. MANAGING ASSISTED LIVING INFORMATION GOALS As you choose software, keep in mind the following goals: * Streamline date entry * Reduce duplication duplication /du·pli·ca·tion/ (doo-pli-ka´shun) 1. the act or process of doubling, or the state of being doubled. 2. * Monitor data integrity * Track the resident through the continuum of care * Centralize cen·tral·ize v. cen·tral·ized, cen·tral·iz·ing, cen·tral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To draw into or toward a center; consolidate. 2. repositories of all data Source: Superior Consultant Company CHOOSING SOFTWARE? Look at the Company's Resources * Sufficient capital to invest in ongoing programming? * Adequate staff to offer technological support? * Competent sales force to demonstrate the product on site? * Sufficient industry standing to connect to information trends and national databases? The Big Picture: Various software applications accomplish various tasks. But as you choose software, think how each interacts with your system as a whole: * FRAGMENTED SYSTEMS The Big Picture: Various software applications accomplish various tasks. But as you choose software, think how each interacts with your system as a whole. An organization uses applications from multiple systems, none of which "talk" to one another. ISSUE: Typically results in duplicate data entry * INTERFACED SYSTEMS A computer program has been developed that allows data from one system to "feed" the equivalent field of another system. ISSUE: Requires technical expertise to build and maintain. * INTEGRATED SYSTEMS An organization purchases a single system that has been designed to feed data from one application to another application in the same product "suite." ISSUE: Locks the organization into a single vendor relationship. SOURCE: SUPERIOR CONSULTANT COMPANY WHO LIVES IN ASSISTED LIVING? * Frail elderly frail elderly, n.pl older persons (usually over the age of 75 years) who are afflicted with physical or mental disabilities that may interfere with the ability to independently perform activities of daily living. * Mostly female population. * Average age, 83 years old. * Residents typically require help with three activities of daily living, such as bathing or dressing. * About 70% need help with medication dispensing dispensing provision of drugs or medicines as set out properly on a lawful prescription. A prescription can only be filled, the drugs supplied, by a registered pharmacist, veterinarian, dentist or member of the medical profession. . * Many have moved in after spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. in a hospital, or have spent at least one night in a nursing home. * More than 25% live out their lives in assisted living without moving on to a medical facility. SOURCE: ASSISTED LIVING FEDERATION OF AMERICA ANNUAL SURVEY, THE ASSISTED LIVING INDUSTRY 1999, AN OVERVIEW WHO'S WATCHING? Regulation of assisted living currently falls to the states rather than the federal government. As of early 1999: 25 STATES USE THE TERM ASSISTED LIVING BY STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES state regulatory agency A state body responsible for establishing professional standards, and for certifying professionals or organizations through appropriate documentation , WITH 3 OTHER STATES PENDING. 32 STATES ALLOW THE USE OF MEDICAID FOR ASSISTED LIVING WITH 5 OTHER STATES PENDING. 16 STATES HAVE ADOPTED OR PROPOSED A NEGOTIATED RISK PROCESS TO INVOLVE RESIDENTS IN CARE PLANNING. 5 STATES HAVE DEVELOPED CONSUMER GUIDES TO ASSISTED LIVING WITH 7 OTHER STATES PENDING 70% OF STATES changed their assisted living statutes between 1998 and 1999. 58% OF STATES modified their continuing care continuing care a professional convention that a veterinarian who is treating an animal is obliged to continue treating that case unless an arrangement is made with its custodian to transfer the care to another practitioner or to a specialist. retirement community statutes between 1998 and 1999. SOURCE: AMERICAN SENIORS HOUSING ASSOCIATION. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion