Confidence levels vary in care minute data management and AN-ACC transition, says Mirus Australia

A lack of confidence in managing care minute data is one of the largest hurdles aged care providers currently face after Mirus Australia’s latest analysis of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) transition. 

Successful AN-ACC strategies and approaches are common, though, with just over one-third of providers expressing outright confidence in their methods. But 12 months after AN-ACC was introduced, many more are still waiting to see how their AN-ACC strategies will play out.

Confidence levels are a mixed bag

Mirus surveyed aged care professionals from 192 separate organisations and it found that confidence levels in managing AN-ACC care minute data are certainly mixed. There are high levels of uncertainty as 19% remain unsure about the efficacy of their approach. 

This speaks volumes to the challenges posed by a brand new funding model that launched at a similar time to several other major reforms. Meanwhile:

• Just over one-third (37%) of providers expressed confidence in their approach thanks to the successful implementation of data management strategies
• Another third (31%) are somewhat confident after implementing a Business Intelligence (BI) approach but are unsure of its effectiveness
• There is a lack of confidence in 13% of providers due to the absence of a streamlined and effective data management strategy

Mirus Australia CEO, Andrew Farmer, said the findings show AN-ACC management is a shared challenge amongst providers despite some already implementing strong strategies.

“The survey findings underscore the critical need for targeted support in managing AN-ACC care minute data. As the majority express concerns or uncertainty, there is a shared challenge within the industry. Our focus now is on collaboratively addressing these concerns and providing resources to bolster confidence in managing this critical aspect of aged care,” Mr Farmer said.

Strategies and focus vary 

Aged care providers have adopted diverse approaches to navigating the AN-ACC transition with a large number focusing on maximising funding and filling rosters, and a minority working with independent teams across key roles. Some providers have no strategy yet as they continue to monitor and evaluate their best opportunities.

“It’s encouraging to see a significant proportion adopting strategies that align with both consumer classifications and care minute requirements, reflecting a commitment to delivering quality care while managing financial considerations,” Mr Farmer added.

• The most popular strategy is maximising funding and filling rosters with 42% of providers choosing to focus on these two key elements
• A similar number of providers (38%) are actively balancing consumer classifications with rostered care minutes, with Mirus Australia labelling it a more conscientious approach to matching resident care needs with funding
• A smaller percentage of providers (9%) have independent teams handling admissions, funding and rostering separately

Similarly, there are several resourcing approaches used by providers with the most (44%) retaining Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) staff and resources to transfer from one funding model to another. 

Other providers have chosen to reallocate resources to other departments (24%), centralise resources due to increased efficiency (22%) or outsource the AN-ACC process to external providers (10%).

The variety of approaches suggests there is still more evolution to come as providers grow in confidence and discover their strengths and weaknesses in care minute data management.