{"id":61914,"date":"2022-06-30T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=61914"},"modified":"2022-06-30T08:16:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T07:16:52","slug":"virtual-wards-real-world-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/health\/2022\/06\/30\/virtual-wards-real-world-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual wards, real world benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Example<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it takes a crisis to fully grasp an opportunity. Virtual wards were invented in the early 2000’s by Dr Geraint Lewis, now Director of Population Health at Microsoft. Despite that, it’s only in the last few years that they have taken the NHS by storm. Virtual wards help reduce hospital admissions, keep patients safer, and discharge them earlier in collaboration with social care where appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watford General Hospital was an early adopter. They use remote monitoring technology to monitor patients\u2019 symptoms and physiological parameters such as heart rate, level of oxygen saturation and temperature. Their app-based model proved overwhelmingly popular with staff and patients alike. In a survey<\/a> conducted on behalf of the NHSE, 95 percent of patients found the application easy to use and 93 percent were pleased with the remote care service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See virtual wards in action<\/em><\/strong>: NHSE Director of Digital Care Models Tara Donnelly shared a <\/em>video<\/em><\/a> showing how remote monitoring technologies supported over 78,000 people across England between November 2020 and May 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widespread remote care is closer than you think<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

COVID-19 may have been the catalyst, but the long-term potential of harnessing remote technology is clear. By the end of 2021, over 53 virtual wards<\/a> were providing over 2,500 \u2018beds\u2019 nationwide. They support people with a range of conditions. From acute respiratory infections to urinary tract infections and chronic pulmonary disease to more complex presentations, such as people living with frailty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NHS is now spending up to \u00a3450 million to create at least 25,000 virtual ward beds over the next few years. They help increase capacity, efficiency and safety. Additionally, virtual wards allow health and care providers to: \u201cFully exploit remote monitoring technology and wider digital platforms to deliver effective and efficient care,\u201d according to the latest operational and planning guidance<\/a> from the NHS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Microsoft, we\u2019re helping health and care providers harness technology to bring the hospital ward into the home. For example, the staff at Kendal Care Home<\/a> in Cumbria have been using Microsoft\u2019s HoloLens 2<\/a> and Microsoft Teams<\/a>. This allows GPs to speak to and assess elderly residents in a COVID-safe way\u2014something they\u2019ve celebrated as a \u201cgame changer\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual wards: A hospital in every home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a reason why hospitals the world over are organised into wards. Now imagine making use of all the systems, staffing and daily routines of a hospital ward\u2014developed and improved over decades\u2014but in the patient\u2019s home. That\u2019s the power of a virtual ward. The point is that remote monitoring and communication technology are essential but not sufficient. To provide safe and effective care, you must apply these technologies within a robust framework. That\u2019s why virtual wards mirror the structures and processes of their real-world counterparts, while replicating several core functions digitally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any virtual ward must include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n