Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, and long-term care is no exception. While AI is already streamlining billing and administrative processes, its potential in long-term care, staff deployment, and regulatory compliance is a growing focus for industry leaders.
In a recent discussion with the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ), Smartlinx’s Chief Product Officer, Brian Buys explored the evolving role of AI in long-term care and what it could mean for the future of workforce management.
Current Applications and Future Potential for AI in LTC
The integration of AI in long-term care facilities has historically focused on administrative functions, such as billing and compliance reporting. As technology advances, though, conversation is shifting toward more operational and clinical applications.
AI is now being explored for:
- Workforce Optimization & Compliance: Analyzing shift patterns, overtime, and labor laws while ensuring policies align with regulations to prevent violations.
- Real-Time Staffing Adjustments: Leveraging census and acuity data to optimize staffing levels, maintain compliance, and control labor costs
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
A key challenge in long-term care is ensuring that actual staffing practices align with policies and regulatory requirements. AI has the potential to serve as a continuous monitoring system that identifies discrepancies before they result in deficiencies.
For example, emerging AI solutions, such as Clearpol, are being designed to evaluate whether a facility’s policies are in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The next step in this evolution is integrating AI models that compare real-time staffing and scheduling data against policy guidelines, essentially acting as an ongoing self-audit to prevent compliance issues before they arise.
The Role of AI in Staffing and Scheduling
One of the most promising applications of AI in long-term care is optimizing staffing levels. Traditionally, staffing decisions have been based on hours per patient day (HPPD). However, industry leaders are exploring new approaches that focus on actual caregiver-resident interactions in addition to static HPPD metrics.
By leveraging AI, facilities could potentially:
- Track and analyze staff interactions with residents to determine the true time spent on care.
- Adjust staffing models based on real-time data rather than outdated benchmarks.
- Implement flexible scheduling systems that allow staff to select shifts while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Overcoming Industry Hesitation Toward AI
While the benefits of AI are evident, there is a degree of hesitation when it comes to its adoption—particularly in clinical applications. AI-driven decision-making in clinical settings is subject to strict FDA regulations, making its implementation more complex. However, in workforce management and operational planning, AI is already making significant strides in:
- Reducing administrative burden by automating repetitive tasks.
- Enhancing compliance monitoring.
- Offering predictive analytics to foresee staffing shortages and regulatory risks.
What Lies Ahead?
The industry conversation around AI is gaining momentum. As part of the upcoming HCANJ Spring Conference, Smartlinx Chief Product Officer Brian Buys is joining a panel discussion to further discuss and explore how AI is shaping long-term care. Experts from Smartlinx, HCANJ, and other organizations will discuss real-world use cases, emerging technologies, and strategies for AI adoption in care facilities.
AI is no longer a futuristic concept for long-term care—it is here and evolving rapidly. The key to successful AI integration lies in balancing efficiency with efficacy, ensuring that technology enhances decision-making without compromising regulatory compliance or care quality.
As AI continues to advance, long-term care facilities that embrace these innovations will be better positioned to navigate workforce challenges, improve care quality, and remain compliant in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Interested in learning more about Smartlinx’s workforce management solutions? Request a demo to see how we can help optimize your staffing and reduce labor costs.
