Muhammad Fahad ullah, Baljit Singh
Leicester royal infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
Abstract
Introduction: Day surgery allows for a quicker recovery with less disruption to home life and cuts the risk of hospital-acquired infections. A digital way of achieving this will be via Virtual Wards to convert Inpatient procedures to Day cases for Example Ileostomy Reversal, Right Hemicolectomy,
Surgical Virtual Wards offer wearable technology for monitoring symptoms and signs in the comfort of home resulting in early discharge in line with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols (ERAS). We offer a software based dedicated scoring system i.e “Colorectal virtual ward model” to virtually monitor Post-op patients at home thus converting inpatient procedures to Day Cases and reduce 30 Day readmissions.
Method: A novel Evidence based “Colorectal Virtual ward model” was developed. Pre-tested scoring systems to categorise the typical 1st 30 days post operative complications were merged with modified Early warning score. The software was designed to utilise a warning system to address red flags or a combination of different green, red and amber scenarios. Patients will be trained preoperatively and sent home with gadgets and app-based questionnaires for daily virtual monitoring by a dedicated team.
Results: In the initial phase, the virtual ward is being used to reduce readmission rates without accelerated discharge. In the second phase, Day case ileostomy closure patients will be monitored virtually at home. In the 3rd phase Virtual wards will be offered to Right Hemicolectomy day case patient.
Conclusion: Virtual wards will be a technology-based solution to increase the use of Day Case Surgery in line with ERAS