“The service works brilliantly and kept me from going to A and E. I knew that if my condition deteriorated help was immediately at hand.”
Supporting older people with frailty is a national priority. Along with our NHS customers, we have created a virtual ward to support patients with frailty at home.
Our technology-enabled frailty virtual ward monitors patients with a frailty-related illness, in their own home or usual place of residence, such as a care home, to reduce the risk of a fall.
As well as preventing patients from being admitted to hospital, the service also works to safely discharge patients earlier from hospital, freeing up bed capacity.
How the frailty virtual ward services works
Patients are monitored at home using simple equipment and technology that suits them. The patient is provided with Microlife devices, including a thermometer, SpO2 and blood pressure device. Patients or carers measure agreed vital signs and enter data using an app, SMS, automated phone call or online portal. Importantly, our wide range of communication channels means we’re truly digitally inclusive.
Our system calculates a NEWS2 score, highlighting which patient is at risk of a fall. Patients are then prioritised on clinical need.
The Vitalpatch wearable device can also be used as a step up approach to managing falls.
Listen to our podcast on how to set up a virtual ward with our product director, Jamie Innes.