The promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming many sectors, and aged care is no exception. Staff are increasingly turning to Large Language Models (LLMs)—such as ChatGPT or Gemini—for quick answers, policy interpretations, or complex operational questions. While these tools are incredibly helpful, this trend introduces a critical and often unknowingly exploited vulnerability: the potential for healthcare staff to input resident data and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) into public AI systems.

In a sector intensely focused on compliance, quality, and the security of sensitive information, this practice represents a major data privacy risk. Technology in aged care must be fit for purpose, and general consumer-grade AI tools are not designed to handle the complex requirements of healthcare data security.

The Unseen Threat: Data Upload to Public AI Tools

Aged care providers operate in an environment subject to stringent regulations focused on enhancing quality and safety. Introducing new technology requires meticulous planning, including assessing if the technology complies with current Australian and international standards for data security and privacy.

The immediate threat posed by staff using external, public LLMs is straightforward: Right now, many staff unknowingly upload patient records and personally identifiable information (PII) to public AI tools like OpenAI, putting data privacy at risk. This practice can expose sensitive resident data outside the organization's controlled environment, leading to potential breaches and misuse.

Governa.ai: Built for Security, Designed for Compliance

Recognizing the need for AI-powered assistance that does not compromise privacy, solutions must be built from the ground up to protect sensitive information at every step.

When we say Governa.ai is “secure,” we mean it’s built to protect sensitive information at every step.

Governa eliminates the data privacy risk inherent in public LLMs by ensuring that sensitive data remains within a controlled environment:

• Governa eliminates that risk by processing information locally, automatically stripping PII before anything is shared with third-party processors.
• Even in the unlikely event of a data breach or misuse by an external provider, residents’ information remains protected, because it never leaves your controlled environment.

Advanced Protocols for Protected Data

Governa’s commitment to data protection is integrated throughout its platform structure:

Role-Based Access Control

The powerful AI platform employs role-based access control to manage sensitive and confidential data securely, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. This means the organization can easily assign roles and customize permissions to ensure only the right people have access to the right information.

Advanced Privacy & Encryption

The platform utilizes advanced AI and encryption protocols to streamline documentation, automate compliance processes, and enhance care standards without compromising privacy.

Dedicated Virtual Assistant

Governa provides Norma Care Bot, a Virtual Assistant designed to assist aged care workers based on their role accesses. It retrieves data only from integrated software, the facility's own policies, and Australian quality standards. This allows staff to securely access specific information, such as resident care plans or medication data pulled from integrated systems, improving efficiency and care quality.

Integrating Security with Seamless Compliance

In addition to safeguarding data, Governa is dedicated to transforming aged care by simplifying regulatory compliance with cutting-edge AI.

For new technology to succeed, it must support the organization's goals and practices. By choosing a system like Governa, providers can navigate new regulations with ease, accuracy, and confidence. The platform streamlines core organizational functions, including:

• Evidence and Policy Mapping: Governa offers an advanced evidence mapping framework tailored to support compliance with the newly enhanced Aged Care Quality Standards. It also streamlines compliance by aligning policies with standards using AI-driven mapping.
• Risk and Incident Management: The platform provides Advanced Incident Management and proactive Risk Management and Automated Hazard Management to ensure workplace safety and enhanced elder well-being.
• Efficiency and Oversight: Governa helps providers integrate multiple solutions into a single system, reducing reliance on multiple vendor apps and enhancing efficiency and eliminating fragmentation. For multi-site operations, Governa makes managing multiple facilities seamless with features designed to simplify operations and ensure consistency across all locations.

The success or failure of a new technology acquisition is influenced by the organization’s culture, values, and practices. By selecting a platform built specifically for the sector’s stringent data requirements, providers ensure their staff can leverage the benefits of AI to focus on high-quality, culturally inclusive care, rather than inadvertently creating data risks.