‘Virtual wards’ return to monitor people’s Covid at home
A hospital has resumed use of a simple piece of technology to treat Covid-19 patients at home rather than on one of its wards as it comes under renewed pressure because of rising admissions.
Glenfield Hospital first operated the “virtual Covid ward” towards the end of last year, allowing some patients who had tested positive for the virus to remain at home and be monitored remotely.
A device called an oximeter clipped to a patient’s finger sends back to the hospital an instant oxygen saturation reading - one of the key indicators of a Covid-positive patient’s condition.
This, coupled with close questioning, allows staff to work out a list of “prioritised actions” for each patient, depending on whether their condition is improving or worsening.
Ultimately, it also means medical staff can intervene with those whose conditions are deteriorating and give them urgent care. The project, using technology provided by Spirit
Digital, was stepped down back in April.
However, it was reintroduced at the end of last month, with a number of patients receiving the devices at home and staff being trained in their use, health officials have confirmed.
Research by the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and De Montfort University found that the virtual ward had previously been effective in reducing re-admissions for patients with Covid-19.
It also relieved pressure on its respiratory ward by 40 per cent.
Alex Woodward, deputy cardiorespiratory lead at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “Due to a significant increase in the pressure on the local healthcare system we had to restart our Covid Virtual Ward to support the flow of patients through the system.
“Our partnership working with Spirit was an integral component of us being able to restart the service within seven days as they rapidly delivered training sessions to staff and organised the delivery of equipment to our acute care partners.
“By working with Spirit, it has allowed us to ensure all appropriate patients can be discharged from hospital and be supported in their own homes using the virtual ward.”
Nadine Miles, director of growth and operations at Spirit Digital, which provided the CliniTouch Vie technology, said: “We are really proud to continue to support the team at Leicestershire Partnership Trust to deliver brilliant virtual patient care, despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
“We always strive to make health easy, so we’re delighted to have met the need for a quick deployment of services, enabling patients to continue their recovery from the comfort of their own home.”
Due to a significant increase in the pressure on the healthcare system we had to restart our Covid Virtual Ward