While it’s now common for patients to be treated by health staff virtually from their own homes – a respiratory team has turned the idea on its head.
The service at our Trust is using the video technology to treat patients while they are still in hospital.
Patients admitted to hospital with an asthma flare-up are now seen by a community respiratory nurse over an iPad screen.
The innovation aims to provide patients with high quality multi-professional clinical care. It also helps to reduce direct contact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been developed by:
- Vandana Jeebun, respiratory consultant and lead
- Dr Jay Vasani, CCIO
- Professor Graham Evans, chief information and technology officer
Dr Jeebun said: “It’s very unusual for a clinician to video call a patient while they are still in hospital.
“It’s a complete change in how we care for patients but one we feel was vital. It’s all about ensuring patients get that quality care in a safe environment.
“Patients with asthma are particularly vulnerable to health problems such as COVID-19. So it’s vital we do everything we can to reduce risk.”
“A real innovation”
Once a patient is nearing the end of their stay in hospital, the community respiratory team set up a video call from the patient’s bedside to put in place an individualised care bundle, which includes ensuring patients have a robust self-management plan in place as well as assessing their inhaler technique.
Thanks to the help from the Trust’s Digital Programme’s team, once completed, this bundle can be uploaded on to the electronic patient record system for access by the hospital clinicians.
The successful trial brought in-hospital and community respiratory teams together. The diabetes team are now piloting the scheme, led by Dr Sony Anthony and Louise Hoyland, senior clinical matron.
Louise Parkin, community respiratory nurse, said: “This is a fantastic development for the service and a real transformation in the care pathway.
“We are able to speak to patients before they have even left hospital and ensure they have that care plan in place for when they go home.
“It’s a real innovation and one which is undoubtedly already benefitting patients.”
