An app that uses AI technology and smart automation to assess pain in people who are unable to verbalise pain is now in pilot at 15 care services in Scotland.
This ‘second phase’ trial of the PainChek app follows successful completion of the first phase earlier this year, which only had six care homes participating, says the Scottish Care Inspectorate. Details of the first phase were shared in an annual progress report, My Health, My Care, My Home - healthcare framework for adults living in care homes released last month.
In phase 1, 831 pain assessments were completed using the app in the first six months, says the study. After 12 weeks, falls within the home had reduced by 75% and episodes of stress and distress had reduced by 42%.
The next step is to gather more information on PainChek’s effect on medication usage and quality of life for care home residents, as well as how easy or not it is to start using and longer-term sustainability. The second phase will include tests across different user settings, service types, user groups, and geographical locations, says the Inspectorate, which is Scotland’s care regulator.
If successful, the third phase may include a potential rollout of PainChek to more than 35,000 beds in care homes across Scotland; a possible phase four will potentially extend the rollout to additional social care services across Scotland.
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate explained the potential of PainChek in a recent healthandcare.scot article: “We welcome the use of innovation and technology to help support people to experience the best possible care. This device should enable more appropriate use of medication and improved quality of life for care home residents. In future the device may also be able to support detection of pain in young children who are unable to adequately communicate pain.”
The Care Inspectorate said it is committed to supporting services across Scotland to provide the best possible care for everyone, respecting their needs, rights and choices. “However, some people experiencing care find it more difficult to communicate their needs than others, and digital innovation can help to ensure that everyone receives the help and support they need.”
PainChek’s head of business development UK&I, Tandeep Gill, says PainChek is looking to see this second pilot improve pain assessment and enhance overall quality of care, adding: “By achieving positive outcomes for care home residents and the care staff involved, we hope to gain the opportunity for a broader government-funded rollout across Scotland.”
