#Japan #Digital Transformation #Tokyo #ZEST #CUC Group

CUC Group and ZEST: Advancing Digital Transformation in Home Care Services

In a significant move set to revolutionize in-facility home care, CUC Group has announced its decision to implement "ZEST," an innovative platform designed for hospice-type housing, paid nursing homes, and senior living communities. This collaboration with ZEST, a Tokyo-based company, marks a key step in enhancing the efficiency of home medical care and nursing services while addressing the rising demand for high-quality care in an aging society.

The Background of the PoC: Emphasizing Complexity in Facility Visits

CUC Group operates with the mission of creating hope through healthcare. With the rising need for medical and nursing services, they are committed to overcoming challenges within the healthcare system. To ensure that limited human resources are utilized to their fullest potential, a transformation through digital transformation (DX) is absolutely vital. Within in-facility home visit services, this means adhering to complex insurance billing rules, such as the "same building deduction" and the "two-hour rule" for nursing visits, while also optimizing routes that factor in elevator locations and floor layouts.

Achievements of the PoC: Enhancing Productivity Through Data Visualization

The primary outcome of the PoC (Proof of Concept) demonstrated the effective visualization of staff time usage, producing a data-driven operational base that was previously challenging to achieve through analog management. This data visibility not only mitigates reliance on single individuals for operational continuity but also significantly enhances decision-making speed and accuracy. By clarifying operational realities, they have established a sound operational system that balances reduced burdens on staff with compliance adherence. Such essential changes brought by digitalization are seen as vital for sustainable facility management.

Key Areas for Improvement Achieved Through the PoC

1. Compliance: Minimizing Risks through Automated Regulations
The implementation of technology to prevent compliance violations represents a major risk management strategy. Algorithms automatically account for the two-hour rule, ensuring that only compliant schedules are generated. This process also optimizes multi-disciplinary collaboration among caregivers, reducing service delivery clashes.

2. Productivity Enhancements: Optimizing Vertical Movement
By minimizing time spent moving between floors, staff can maximize care time. The automated scheduling system groups visits based on residents' floor information, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth travel and wait times for elevators.

3. Data Management: Driving Decisions with Real-Time Insights
The visibility of operational activities facilitates evidence-based decision-making, moving away from reliance on intuition or experience. Real-time metrics for occupancy rates, profitability, and individual productivity are compiled into the ZEST BOARD dashboard, allowing management to swiftly identify performance inconsistencies and address issues.

Expanding ZEST in Home Care: New Features for In-Facility Services

The ZEST platform has not only streamlined existing home visit services such as home medical care, nursing, and rehabilitation but has also introduced functions specifically tailored for in-facility services as a result of its collaboration with CUC Group. This progress establishes ZEST as a crucial tool for systemic improvement in the healthcare industry, promoting sustainable management practices across various care settings.

Joint Statements from the Leaders of Both Companies

CUC Group Perspective

Keita Hamaguchi, CEO of CUC Group, expressed, "Our aim is to establish a social infrastructure where individuals with high healthcare needs can live securely. The introduction of ZEST is not only about increasing efficiency; it enhances our staff’s ability to provide empathetic care as professionals. By reducing the time spent on scheduling adjustments, we can allocate more resources toward quality care and interprofessional collaboration."

ZEST's Perspective

Jun Nosuke Isshiki, CEO of ZEST, stated, "We are thrilled to partner with a leading company like CUC Group. Their steadfast commitment to compliance, combined with insightful feedback, has been invaluable in refining our product. As we continue to develop new features aligned with practical needs, we aim to become an indispensable platform for facility operators in the market by 2026, capturing significant market share."

About CUC Group and ZEST

CUC Group comprises 18 domestic subsidiaries and 24 international subsidiaries, dedicated to addressing various healthcare challenges under the mission of creating hope through medical services. ZEST, on the other hand, offers a platform to maximize revenues for home care services, employing AI-driven scheduling systems that boost performance across the board.

Through the strategic partnership between CUC Group and ZEST, the journey toward a digitally transformed healthcare landscape is gaining momentum, paving the way for continuous improvement in caregiving practices and operational efficiency across facilities.