Case Study: Intel & the Ryevale Nursing Home

Intel Ireland helped to improve the quality of life for both the caretakers and residents by providing Ryevale Nursing Home with a new technology infrastructure to enable innovative solutions within the nursing home.

The Opportunity

Ryevale was using a paper-based system to track patient information, and spending more time managing the nursing home than with the residents themselves.  Intel sought to improve the quality of care by implementing a wireless infrastructure within the nursing home for the benefit of both patients and residents.

Intel’s Pro Bono Investment
Intel Ireland’s Corporate Affairs department had an existing relationship with Ryevale through the company’s volunteer program, Intel Involved. In October 2006, Intel approached Ryevale with the idea of a project aimed at understanding how technology can improve the lives of elders.  In addition to the donation of a network storage system, a recycled laptop and three PDAs, 2 Intel employees worked continuously for 1 or 2 days a week until the project reached completion at the end of 2007.  During that time, Intel employees completed the following:

  • Research: Intel Innovation Centre employees investigated all available and appropriate solutions for this project that would optimize the new wireless infrastructure.
  • Consultation: The Intel employees took the time to consult with the nursing home and provide advice on which software solutions would suit their needs.  The staff of the nursing home visited Intel’s Innovation centre in Leixlip to understand the how technology would provide additional capabilities and service to manage the nursing home.
  • Implementation: The design and implementation of technologies were project managed by the Intel Innovation group. To date, Intel employees have given over 500 hours to manage the successful implementation of the chosen technology solutions.
  • Training: Ryevale Nursing Home staff were provided manuals and trained by the Intel employees, and also have access to ongoing support from Intel.

A list of implemented solutions:

  • Wireless infrastructure along with use of PDA’s by nurses  to allow staff to update patient records on touch screen so information is recorded instantaneously
  • The new software solution to manage the day to day running of the nursing home (including wages, patient care information, and important dates)
  • Three nursing stations were added
  • Laptops with webcams  positioned on trolleys to allow patients to connect to families, internet etc
  • High tech desktops in Snoozelen rooms to operate media files, and wirelessly connected to the main server where generic messaging or programs can be displayed on all screens around the home
  • NAS storage box for centralized data storage
  • The Intel Corporate Affairs team manages the ongoing relationship with staff at the home, and the Innovation group has been working with Ryevale staff to develop a roadmap for technology adoption, focusing on data management within the home.  In addition, the Nursing Home has hired an IT specialist to aid and develop the technology solutions.

The Impact

Ryevale is now one-of-a-kind nursing home in Ireland.  The use of wireless technology has transformed internal operations; eliminating the paper-based system has freed up valuable time for caregivers to spend with their residents and the infrastructure has greatly improved the quality of care for the elderly.  Solutions such as the webcams connect families from England, Germany, Japan and the United States with loved ones at Ryevale.  Technology has changed the lives of the patients living with dementia as the staff has found that something as simple as playing a patient’s favorite song can change their mood entirely.  For Intel employees, transferring their expertise has allowed them to see firsthand the impact Intel can have on the community with the added benefit of technology.

About Ryevale Nursing Home

The Ryevale Nursing Home is based in Leilxip, County Kildadre. In operations since 1985 when it started with 13 residents, today the staff of approximately 135 care givers provide a caring home to about 131 residents. The nursing home is divided up into five separate units. Two of these units are assigned to meet the special needs in caring for the resident with the disability of dementia.

About Intel

For over 40 years, Intel has been creating technology that advances the way people live, work, and learn.  Intel’s focus is not simply on the technology they make-it’s on what they make possible for people around the world.  Intel believes that to foster innovation and drive economic growth for everyone, we need quality education for young people, strong communities, and a healthy planet.  To that end, Intel gets directly involved whether Intel is training teachers, volunteering in local organizations or designing energy efficient products.  But Intel realizes that big problems cannot be solved alone, so they collaborate across the globe with governments, NGOs and industry to make change that has a lasting impact on people’s lives today and the world in which we live tomorrow.