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. 2021 Feb 10;23(2):e25518.
doi: 10.2196/25518.

A Virtual Ward Model of Care for Patients With COVID-19: Retrospective Single-Center Clinical Study

Olivia R Ferry #  1 , Emma C Moloney #  1 , Owen T Spratt  1 , Gerald F M Whiting  1 , Cameron J Bennett  1
Affiliations

A Virtual Ward Model of Care for Patients With COVID-19: Retrospective Single-Center Clinical Study

Olivia R Ferry et al. J Med Internet Res. .

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; efficacy; hospital; innovation; model; remote care; safety; telemedicine; virtual health care; virtual ward.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cases epidemiologically linked to overseas or interstate travel (n=178). *Others: Argentina, Cuba, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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