TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ferry, Olivia R
AU  - Moloney, Emma C
AU  - Spratt, Owen T
AU  - Whiting, Gerald F M
AU  - Bennett, Cameron J
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/2/10
TI  - A Virtual Ward Model of Care for Patients With COVID-19: Retrospective Single-Center Clinical Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e25518
VL  - 23
IS  - 2
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - efficacy
KW  - hospital
KW  - innovation
KW  - model
KW  - remote care
KW  - safety
KW  - telemedicine
KW  - virtual health care
KW  - virtual ward
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - http://www.jmir.org/2021/2/e25518/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/25518
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33529157
DO  - 10.2196/25518
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/25518
ER  -