Aquarate teams up with Wirral Council to improve hydration levels amongst the elderly
Wirral Council and medical equipment supplier Aquarate are working on a new project that is being rolled out to care homes to reduce the number of UTIs, falls and constipation among residents across Wirral’s care environments, creating a safer and more comfortable life for them.
Recently, NHS England began working with all seven regions countrywide to focus on improving hydration; for four of the seven regions, Aquarate’s innovative Hydracup technology was selected as part of the NHS hydration project.
The use of Aquarate’s Hydracare system is also set to create a huge potential cost saving for Wirral through productivity savings and a decrease in antibiotics prescribed and unnecessary hospital admissions.
Fall admissions alone in Wirral costs the health and social care economy £9 million each year, with seven in 10 of these admissions aged over 65.
Michael Hanrahan, Telecare and Telehealth Manager for Wirral Council commented: “As commissioners of services for our most vulnerable people.
“Hydracare offers the opportunity to confirm that they are properly hydrated, resulting in better health for them, while reducing the workload on hard-working care home staff.
“Avoidable falls and urinary tract infections (UTIs) amongst older people remain a concern in Wirral. Correct hydration levels are fundamental to a person’s health and wellbeing, with clear and repeated evidence describing how falls and UTIs can be minimised by tackling dehydration.
“Increasingly, CQC requires evidence that good care is being provided. Hydracare provides the evidence that hydration levels are monitored and appropriate action taken if someone needs additional fluids or requires a restriction on fluid intake.
“Operationally, care home managers can be confident that care is being delivered, while relatives are reassured that their loved one is in receipt of the best care.”
The Hydracup features fluid intake measurements and spill detection. Carers and healthcare professionals can use the Hydratrack app for real-time fluid intake data, fluid intake history, spill alerts and restricted fluid management, to help to check when the end user has surpassed their allowable consumption limit.
Rebecca Taylor, CEO of Aquarate said: “It is fantastic to see the region coming together to tackle some of the serious issues seen within care.
“We aim to support Wirral’s digital transformation by providing a tool to track the very fundamentals of care. We look forward to sharing the results of our work in the coming months!”
The hydration project work is in partnership with Wirral Council, Wirral CCG, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WUTH) and supporting groups: Wirral Antimicrobial resistance group and Wirral Bladder and Bowel Team.
https://thiis.co.uk/aquarate-teams-up-with-wirral-council-to-improve-hydration-levels-amongst-the-elderly/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hydracup-device-900x600-June-22.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hydracup-device-900x600-June-22-150x150.jpgGovernment & Local AuthoritiesNewsroomSector Newsdehydration innovation,Hydracup,Hydratrack,Wirral CouncilWirral Council and medical equipment supplier Aquarate are working on a new project that is being rolled out to care homes to reduce the number of UTIs, falls and constipation among residents across Wirral’s care environments, creating a safer and more comfortable life for them. Recently, NHS England began working...Millie YorkMillie Yorkmillie.york@bhta.comEditorTHIIS Magazine