CMMS in Aged Care Compliance Under the Aged Care Bill 2024

As Australia’s Aged Care industry prepares for changes, the Aged Care Bill 2024 signals a shift toward higher quality, safety, and accountability standards across aged care facilities. Set to take effect in July 2025, the bill imposes new regulatory requirements that emphasise operational efficiency, resource management, and adherence to quality standards.

Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is essential for aged care providers aiming to maintain compliance, improve care quality, and streamline facility maintenance. Here’s why CMMS is critical in helping aged care facilities navigate the demands of the Aged Care Bill 2024.

Why CMMS Is Crucial for Aged Care Compliance

The Aged Care Bill 2024 mandates revised oversights for aged care facilities regarding clinical care, infection control, environmental safety, and more. CMMS empowers facilities to track and manage these assets efficiently, enhancing operational effectiveness and safeguarding resident wellbeing.

1. Tracking and Managing Compliance-Related Assets

Under the new standards, maintaining assets like medical devices, sanitation equipment, and infrastructure is essential for compliance. CMMS allows providers to monitor asset availability, operational status, and regular maintenance schedules, ensuring that these resources meet regulatory standards. This is particularly important for meeting the new Bill requirements, such as 24/7 nursing coverage and strict infection control, both of which require well-maintained infrastructure.

With CMMS, facilities can track equipment, log usage, and document maintenance activities in real-time, resulting in effective facility management. The software’s automation ensures regularly scheduled maintenance, helping facilities stay compliant with the heightened quality standards under the Aged Care Bill 2024.

2. Enhancing Safety and Reducing Risks

Safety is a cornerstone of aged care, especially with limited resources. CMMS facilitates predictive and preventive maintenance tasks, enabling facilities to address potential issues before they escalate into major problems. By ensuring that critical equipment remains in optimal condition, CMMS minimises risks of equipment downtime and safeguards uninterrupted care.

A CMMS helps aged care facilities schedule safety inspections and automate regular maintenance reminders, reducing the chance of missed services or overlooked repairs. This proactive approach to maintenance not only supports compliance but also protects residents by minimising disruptions caused by unexpected equipment downtime.

3. Supporting Quality Standards and Resident Dignity

The Aged Care Bill 2024 places significant emphasis on enhancing resident experiences and ensuring dignity. CMMS helps facilities maintain quality standards by ensuring equipment like mobility aids, safety bars, and sanitary fixtures are in working order. When maintenance teams efficiently maintain these assets, residents experience a safer, more comfortable environment that supports their independence and well-being.

Besides asset maintenance, a CMMS helps ensure an environment that reflects the bill's focus on quality care. By helping facilities provide consistent services and maintain assets, CMMS directly supports the goals of enhancing resident dignity and choice expressed in the bill.

4. Financial Judgment and Transparency

In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, a CMMS encourages financial responsibility, which aligns with the financial standards emphasised in the Aged Care Bill 2024. Monitoring the complete lifecycle of assets, from acquisition to maintenance costs and depreciation, provides insights that assist facilities in planning and allocating budgets effectively.

The enhanced reporting capabilities in CMMS improve transparency by providing a clear audit trail of regular maintenance and asset usage, ensuring compliance with the financial requirements of the bill. Aged Care facilities can use this data to make informed decisions, reduce costs, and allocate financial resources to meet regulatory requirements and resident needs.

5. Automating Regulatory Reporting and Record-Keeping

The Aged Care Bill 2024 introduces strict reporting requirements, requiring aged care facilities to maintain comprehensive records of their compliance efforts. CMMS streamlines the process by generating comprehensive digital records of maintenance activities, asset conditions, and inspection outcomes. During audits, facilities can easily retrieve these records, reducing the administrative burden and ensuring all necessary information is accurate and accessible.

Automated reporting is especially valuable in maintaining continuous compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards, which are foundational to the bill’s regulatory approach. CMMS simplifies the audit preparation process, enabling providers to prioritise quality care over paperwork.

Key Benefits of CMMS for Aged Care Facilities Preparing for 2024 Reforms

Adopting CMMS offers aged care providers a pathway to compliance, operational efficiency, and sustainable care quality. Key benefits include:

• Proactive Asset Management: Avoid unexpected, costly repairs and keep assets consistently ready for use. Schedule routine maintenance, plan preventive tasks, and oversee every part of your maintenance program with ease.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: CMMS data guides budgeting to meet regulatory standards while also serving as a complete database for all organisational assets.
• Streamlined Reporting: Automated reports simplify compliance and regulatory documentation, helping facilities maintain continuous adherence to new standards.

Looking Ahead...

The Aged Care Bill 2024 marks a significant change in Australia’s Aged Care industry, emphasising quality and accountability that demand updated systems and methods. CMMS provides aged care providers with the tools needed to meet these demands by facilitating compliance, protecting resident safety, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. For aged care providers, investing in a CMMS is essential for adapting to these reforms, ensuring that facilities meet regulatory requirements and provide high-quality, dignified care for Australia’s aging population.

Curious about how CMMS can help your facility maintenance comply with the Aged Care Bill 2024? Reach out to MEX Maintenance today for guidance on implementing a CMMS tailored to your needs.