Transforming pain management with PainChek^® at Heathfield Ladies Residential Home

Heathfield Ladies Residential Home is nestled in the suburbs south of Warrington. It is owned by Paul and Louise Rowley. Heathfield offers exceptional care for their entirely female cohort of residents who have a variety of needs. Many Heathfield residents live with varying levels of dementia, which creates a very specific challenge of assessing and effectively managing pain.

Like many care providers, Heathfield relies on the intimate knowledge of their residents, which includes visual observations when assessing their levels of pain. This presents two main challenges; firstly, it is extremely difficult to differentiate between pain-induced indicators and behavioural issues. Secondly, the results of a pain assessment can vary between team members given their level of experience.

In order to reduce the level of subjectivity with pain assessment, Heathfield trialled PainChek^®. Its AI facial recognition technology allows care providers to more accurately identify and monitor pain. This helps to establish the difference between genuine resident pain and non-pain related behavioural issues. Significantly, PainChek^® assists in equally accurate levels of treatment.

Paul Rowley explains “We have one resident who often displayed distressed behaviour when touched, which historically we would have associated with pain. PainChek^®, helps to more accurately identify and distinguish the cause of these reactions. The data generated can then be discussed with the GP to find the most appropriate way to care for this individual”.

Heathfield Residential Home is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, helped hugely by the home’s inherent interest in innovation. “Heathfield has been working with Lancaster University in search of innovative methods of supporting residents’ moods and behaviours, which includes immersive mood screens. The recent addition of PainChek^® has provided a genuine enhancement of care on offer at Heathfield” says Paul.