@Article{info:doi/10.2196/25518, author="Ferry, Olivia R and Moloney, Emma C and Spratt, Owen T and Whiting, Gerald F M and Bennett, Cameron J", title="A Virtual Ward Model of Care for Patients With COVID-19: Retrospective Single-Center Clinical Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2021", month="Feb", day="10", volume="23", number="2", pages="e25518", keywords="COVID-19; efficacy; hospital; innovation; model; remote care; safety; telemedicine; virtual health care; virtual ward", abstract="Background: COVID-19 has necessitated the implementation of innovative health care models in preparation for an influx of patients. A virtual ward model delivers clinical care remotely to patients in isolation. We report on an Australian cohort of patients with COVID-19 treated in a virtual ward. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the safety and efficacy of a virtual ward model of care for an Australian cohort of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Retrospective clinical assessment was performed for 223 patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated in a virtual ward in Brisbane, Australia, from March 25 to May 15, 2020. Statistical analysis was performed for variables associated with the length of stay and hospitalization. Results: Of 223 patients, 205 (92{\%}) recovered without the need for escalation to hospital care. The median length of stay in the virtual ward was 8 days (range 1-44 days). In total, 18 (8{\%}) patients were referred to hospital, of which 6 (33.3{\%}) were discharged after assessment at the emergency department. Furthermore, 12 (5.4{\%}) patients were admitted to hospital, of which 4 (33.3{\%}) required supplemental oxygen and 2 (16.7{\%}) required mechanical ventilation. No deaths were recorded. Factors associated with escalation to hospital care were the following: hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95{\%} CI 1.28-9.87; P=.01), sputum production (OR 5.2, 95{\%} CI 1.74-15.49; P=.001), and arthralgia (OR 3.8, 95{\%} CI 1.21-11.71; P=.02) at illness onset and a polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold of ≤20 on a diagnostic nasopharyngeal swab (OR 5.0, 95{\%} CI 1.25-19.63; P=.02). Conclusions: Our results suggest that a virtual ward model of care to treat patients with COVID-19 is safe and efficacious, and only a small number of patients would potentially require escalation to hospital care. Further studies are required to validate this model of care. ", issn="1438-8871", doi="10.2196/25518", url="http://www.jmir.org/2021/2/e25518/", url="https://doi.org/10.2196/25518", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33529157" }