(A) What is a virtual ward?
Virtual ward (VW) is a community place or patients’ home where they stay till cured. The ward is termed “virtual” as these beds are not really in the hospital, however, these patients are under supervision of a medical team.Multiple e-visits by health care workers are done eachday via digital platforms (Phone, video call, email etc). Early referral back into hospital is done if any signs of deterioration are noticed.
(B) Why do we need Virtual wards?
If coronavirus continues to spread, we might soon be unable to admit all the positive patients in the hospitals due to limited number of beds. In such a scenario VWs can help patients who are diagnosed with #COVID, but have only mild or no symptoms to convalesce at home under remote clinical supervision. This will reduce the burden on the existing healthcare facilities while at the same time provide care to the patients.
(C) Who takes care of the patients in these VWs?
The patients themselves or their family members write down the daily complaints, record daily temperature, pulse, blood pressure and send it via phone or email to the concerned ward admin. Ward admin in turn coordinates an office based meeting (Ward Round) of the doctors and other ward members. During the ward round patients are discussed and treatment decisions taken. Should there be a need of lab tests, a healthcare worker can visit the patients house for sample collection.
(D) Can VWs be used for patients with other ailments too?
Yes, besides COVID patients, VWs can be used for other patients who require medical supervision but are not being admitted in hospitals right now due to coronavirus scare. For example diabetes patients with uncontrolled sugar. They can be provided care in VWs while staying safe at home.
(E) How are patients admitted to VWs?
A complete evaluation is done at the time of initial visit of the patient (history taking, physical examination, lab tests etc.) and if found appropriate admission is done in the virtual wards.
(F) What are the advantages and disadvantages of VWs?
Virtual wards can ease the burden during this #pandemic so that the existing hospital beds are available for patients who are very sick and require admission. VWs will also reduce the contact between healthcare workers and patients and thus help to stop spread of the coronavirus.The disadvantage of VW is that they do not provide the opportunity of daily physical examination.
Who is Dr Shahnawaz B Kaloo.
He is a medical doctor, a researcher, a speaker and an author. He is born in Sopore town of Baramulla, and became the first Interventional Radiologist from Kashmir when he secured first rank in the All India level entrance exam conducted by ILBS in December 2015.His research project during training at ILBS became the first paper on Trans Jugular Kidney biopsy from Asia to get published in a reputed journal in USA.He had done MBBS from GMC Srinagar and MD from Jammu university.He is presently working as Consultant at Max Hospital Saket. His active area of practice and research is interventional Radiology in liver diseases and liver transplant. He has presented his research in various countries and has delivered talks on multiple issues.
Dr.Shahnawaz BKaloo
At MD,PDCC ( IR)
Consultation Interventional Radiology
Max ,Hospital Saket New Delhi.
You can Reach [email protected]