The COPD step down Virtual Ward is led by the Telemedicine Service with support from the Respiratory team. The service runs 7 days a week, from 08:00-22:00 with support from senior clinical decision makers.
The enhanced monitoring provided by the COPD Virtual Ward gives confidence to discharging clinicians and patients that they will be safely ‘cared for’ virtually during the ‘step down’ process.
During this pilot stage, e-purple referrals will only be accepted by the Respiratory teams across the BNHH and RHCH sites. Patients who qualify and should be referred to the COPD virtual ward are outlined in the treatment at home table below:
Patients who are referred MUST meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Have been assessed by the Respiratory team prior to discharge
- Have been declared suitable for discharge by a respiratory consultant
- Stable or improving clinical trajectory
On discharge from their inpatient ward, patients must be given all necessary equipment, training, and education to be safely monitored from home, along with the COPD Virtual Ward information leaflet.
For patients who require a nebuliser on discharge, equipment can be sourced via the medical equipment library. The equipment must be signed out by the discharging ward/team.
Patients should return their equipment to designated sites across the trust for the medical equipment to collect and clean.
- BNHH: Outpatient reception
- RHCH: Main reception
Patients should have their discharge letter in the usual way when they leave hospital, and the Telemedicine team will ensure ongoing communications with primary care once the patient is on the virtual ward.
For more information on the service can be found in the SOP under the ‘Useful links’ section on the right-hand side of this page or you can contact the Telemedicine team on 01962 824067.
