As hospitals faced an acute capacity crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of digital technology was accelerated to help look at alternative models of care. Remote patient monitoring technology and virtual wards were deployed to help expedite the safe discharge of COVID-19 patients, helping to free up beds and better manage patient flow.

Aims & Objectives

• Ease capacity concerns as COVID-19 admissions continued to rise
• Enable patients with COVID-19 to be discharged from hospital sooner
• Maximise clinical resources and manage caseloads more efficiently
• Adapt and re-deploy an existing solution with proven results

Key Numbers

• 218 COVID-19 patients discharged with Clinitouch from November 20 – May 21
• 31.6% of non-intensive care hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients at peak

Results

• 50% reduction in re-admission rate among patients supported by virtual ward
• 288 total hospital bed days saved between January– April 2021
• £40,818 estimated gross savings as a result of reduced re-admissions

Dr Irene Valero-Sanchez, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Clinical Lead for Integrated Care, University Hospitals of Leicester, commented:

“A digital approach can help us be smart about how we use our resources so that we’re able to cope with a bigger caseload of potentially deteriorating patients more efficiently.”

Read more about how our remote patient monitoring technology can be used for a COVID-19 pathway.