A pilot deployment of a ‘virtual ward’ by Croydon Health Services NHS Trust has provided benefits for patients and warrants further development, according to a new evaluation report.
The pilot has involved the use of wearable devices and a data platform for the remote monitoring of around 30 patients at a time and 250 in total, providing an alternative to being cared for in hospital.
It began in September 2020 and has been managed by a telehealth project lead and rapid response team who have reviewed the data every morning, supported by consultant physicians and following up with home visits when necessary.
The focus was initially on patients with Covid-19 but was extended to people with other long term conditions in March 2021.
The Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London carried out the evaluation on behalf of NHSX.
Its report says there has been positive feedback from patients, with 89% saying it is easy to use the kit and most saying they would recommend it to family and friends.
Almost two-thirds (65%) were able to remain at home for treatment, with just 20% needing to be admitted to hospital, and just 4% died within 28 days of being discharged from the ward.
Encouraging signs
The technology made it possible for staff to identify conditions, ordering 308 clinical tests. Although the report says the cohort was too small to establish whether this made a significant difference to patient outcomes, there have been encouraging findings in terms of picking up on health conditions, some of which are potentially fatal.
“Despite the limitations and further evaluation questions, the Croydon virtual ward has proved that, for some patients, outcomes and quality of life have vastly improved as a result of the service, life limiting conditions have been picked up and treated early due to access to continuous monitoring, clinical tests and that acutely unwell patients can be managed effectively at home using continuous monitoring,” it says.
Subsequently, it recommends that the trust continues to provide, monitor and develop the service.
Image from iStock, Maria Symchych-Navrotska
