Huma, the new brand of Medopad, is working with NHSX to support COVID-19 patients, who are at home, with remote monitoring tools.
The remote patient monitoring solution is being trialled in six sites, with ‘Virtual Wards’ to monitor patients with moderate symptoms. The project aims to assess how healthcare teams can manage patients using the technology to support early intervention to avoid patients needing ITU care and help to prevent virus spread.
The technology is being used at Watford General Hospital, part of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The hospital is using the solution for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms via a ‘Virtual Ward’ to support COVID-19 patients who have been discharged from hospital and also to avoid admissions when care can be safely managed in their own homes.
Dr. Matthew Knight, Respiratory Consultant at Watford General Hospital, said “Our teams are working to provide the best care for patients with COVID-19 symptoms around the clock. To provide the best patient care and outcomes, protect the NHS and prevent community spread, the remote patient monitoring offers a promising solution to help us scale our efforts to the growing needs of our community.”
North West London is also part of the trial, where two primary care led ‘hot-hubs’ are taking place Hillingdon and Soho. These ‘hot-hubs’ provide at-scale triage from general practice and 111 for patients who are deemed to require ongoing monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms and has extended to services in Harrow and Ealing.
Tony Willis, Clinical Director for Diabetes at North West London Collaboration of CCGs “Patients with suspected COVID-19 can deteriorate in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s vital that clinicians can track their symptoms and vital signs regularly so that they can intervene if there is significant deterioration. But patients do not have to be at the hospital or clinic all the time and this new solution means we can capture patient health data frequently enough to take timely action while the patient is in the comfort of their own home.”
Using the tool healthcare teams can closely monitor a patient’s symptoms to advise on appropriate care and early intervention, staying informed of symptoms and being alerted to disease progression that could avoid further complications..
Tara Donnelly, Chief Digital Officer, NHSX said “This is a great example of how new technology is supporting healthcare professionals to provide the right care at the right time. With COVID-19, it’s vital that we make use of digital tools that can help support patients who don’t need immediate hospital care and allow close monitoring of their condition.”
“The feedback we are getting from patients is that the remote monitoring with clinical oversight is really reassuring to them, and they are grateful to be at home while they recover, rather than in a hospital bed. The clinical team is finding it helps give them very rapid feedback on their patients and they are able to keep an eye on a number of people at a glance, which is working much better for them than the previous system which relied on phone calls.”
