Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has achieved significant efficiency gains through its virtual ward service, saving an estimated 959 bed days in just six months.
Launched in partnership with Inhealthcare, the virtual wards offer remote monitoring for stable patients as an alternative to admission or for early discharge.
Patients or their caregivers can transmit physiological measurements like blood pressure and respiration rate to care teams through a mobile app or text message.
Analysis by the trust revealed that the service resulted in an estimated £372,000 cost saving and reduced patient stays by an average of five days.
With plans to expand the service to additional pathways, Leeds Teaching Hospitals aims to continue improving patient care and reducing hospital admissions.
Inhealthcare CEO, Bryn Sage, emphasized the technology’s role in easing pressure on hospital beds and emergency departments.
The success of virtual wards has prompted NHS England to increase access to such services to enhance patient care and alleviate strain on healthcare facilities.
