scholarly journals An evaluation of a virtual COVID-19 ward to accelerate the supported discharge of patients from an acute hospital setting:

Author(s):  
Jim Swift ◽  
Zoe Harris ◽  
Alex Woodward ◽  
Noel O'Kelly ◽  
Chris Barker ◽  
...  

Background/Aims In response to high numbers of hospital admissions as a result of COVID-19, a virtual ward was implemented to achieve accelerated discharge from hospital without compromising patient safety. This study assessed the impact of this virtual ward for patients admitted to the acute hospital setting with COVID-19. Methods A community-based intervention using digital technology and a multi-disciplinary team of specialist clinicians to monitor patients at home was established. An analysis was carried out within the service investigating the safety, health outcomes and resource use of the first 65 patients discharged from hospital into the virtual respiratory ward. Results Red days, where an urgent response was required, decreased from 33.8% of patients in their first 3 days at the virtual ward to 10.8% in their final 3 days (P=0.002). Four patients were readmitted to hospital, all for clotting disorders. There was one death, which was deemed unrelated to COVID-19. Length of stay was also reduced by 40.3% (P<0.001) and estimated overall savings were £68 052 (£1047 per patient). Conclusions The virtual ward appeared to assist with earlier discharges, had a low rate of clinically necessary re-admissions, and seemed to reduce costs without compromising patient safety. The authors believe that this intervention could be applied across other NHS trusts facing similar capacity issues as a result of COVID-19.

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Alison Blackburn

Long-term opioid use can begin with the treatment of acute pain. However, there is little evidence concerning the impact that better opioid awareness in the acute phase may have on reducing the use of opioids in the long term. This project explored which opioids are routinely prescribed within an acute hospital setting and how these opioids were used over the course of the hospital stay. Codeine and morphine remain the most commonly prescribed opioids. Opioids were prescribed and given to people across the age range, from 16 to 98 years. The project found that 19% of patients were admitted with a pre-existing opioid. Up to 66% of patients were discharged with opioid medication, with almost 20% leaving with more than one opioid. Regular opioid use routinely exposes patients to long-term opioid use and those patients initiated onto opioid medication during admission should have the benefit of planned de-escalation before discharge.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 700-705
Author(s):  
Alison Blackburn

Long-term opioid use can begin with the treatment of acute pain. However, there is little evidence concerning the impact that better opioid awareness in the acute phase may have on reducing the use of opioids in the long term. This project explored which opioids are routinely prescribed within an acute hospital setting and how these opioids were used over the course of the hospital stay. Codeine and morphine remain the most commonly prescribed opioids. Opioids were prescribed and given to people across the age range, from 16 to 98 years. The project found that 19% of patients were admitted with a pre-existing opioid. Up to 66% of patients were discharged with opioid medication, with almost 20% leaving with more than one opioid. Regular opioid use routinely exposes patients to long-term opioid use and those patients initiated onto opioid medication during admission should have the benefit of planned de-escalation before discharge.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
James M. FitzGerald ◽  
Annabel Price

SUMMARYIn this overview we discuss the role of psychiatry in managing delirium in acute hospital admissions. We briefly discuss the role psychiatry can offer in four main domains: (a) assessment; (b) management; (c) recovery; and (d) paradigm, education and research. In the assessment section we discuss accurately detecting delirium in the context of comorbid mixed neuropsychiatric syndromes, including depression and dementia, and the clinical importance of delirium subtyping. The management section briefly outlines pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to delirium and their evidence-based rationale. The recovery section focuses on the effect delirium can have on cognitive decline, mental health and long-term health, including functional outcome and need for institutional care after hospital discharge. Finally, we outline the role of psychiatry in delirium research and education. We hope that this article will encourage clinicians to reflect on their current practice and consider holistic and evidence-based care for this vulnerable population in the acute hospital setting.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Swift ◽  
Alex woodward ◽  
Zoe Harris ◽  
O'Kelly I Noel ◽  
Chris Barker ◽  
...  

The implementation of a virtual ward using digital solutions informing community clinicians in early supported discharge of patients with SARS-Cov2 respiratory symptoms from an acute hospital setting Swift J*, Harris Z#, Woodward A#, OKelly NI*, Barker C* and Ghosh S#! *Spirit Health Group; # Community Health Services, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, ! Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, DMU Abstract Objectives: To assess the short run successes and challenges of the implementation of a digitally supported accelerated acute hospital discharge scheme for patients admitted with Covid-19. Design: Analysis of the safety, resource use and health outcomes within the virtual service for the first 65 patients that have been discharged from a virtual respiratory ward. Setting: Community based intervention using digital technology and a multi-disciplinary team of specialist clinicians to monitor patients at home. Participants: 65 patients discharged from hospital followed until discharge from the virtual ward. Results: 24.6% of 65 patients had symptoms that were coded red (urgent response required) in CliniTouch Vie in the first day after hospital discharge falling to 7.7% on their final day on the virtual ward; p=0.049. Reductions in red days decreased significantly over time, from 33.8% of patients in their first three days to 10.8% in their final three days; all patients p=0.002. Four patients were re-admitted to hospital, all for clotting disorders. There was one death within this group, which following senior clinical review was deemed to be unrelated to infection with Covid-19. The most important gain for Glenfield hospital was in expediting the rapid discharge of patients admitted with Covid-19 into a supported environment and the freeing up of beds. On 15th January, 48% of beds were taken up with patients admitted with Covid-19 symptoms. In November 2020, immediately prior to the launch of the virtual ward, the mean length of stay for patients who did not access high dependency care or oxygen was 5.5 (+/-1.3) days. The mean length of stay in patients discharged into the virtual ward thereafter was 3.3 (+/-0.4) days; relative reduction, 40.3% (p<0.001). The cost of care provision in the virtual ward was 8,165 UK Pounds in total and 124.31 UK pounds per patient. The estimated overall savings were 68,550 UK Pounds and the mean saving per patient was estimated at 1,055 UK Pounds. Conclusions: The virtual ward appeared to assist with earlier discharges, had a low rate of clinically necessary re-admissions, the safety of patients was not compromised and whilst cost savings were not the primary objective, it seemed to also reduce overall resource use and costs.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044027
Author(s):  
Hilary Bungay ◽  
Suzanne Hughes

ObjectivesTo explore the perceptions of hospitalised older people and their relatives of the impact of taking part in group dance sessions in an acute hospital setting.DesignA qualitative descriptive approach was used.SettingAn acute hospital trust in the East of England.ParticipantsPurposive sample of dance group participants.InterventionWeekly music and movement sessions for frail older people on Department of Elderly Medicine Wards and the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. Sessions take place in the ward and are facilitated by a dance artist supported by ward staff.ResultsTwenty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with older people and/or their relatives. Thematic analysis of the data identified three overarching themes: (1) dance as a physical activity, (2) dance as an opportunity for social interaction and (3) the dance group as a source of emotional support. Sessions were valued as an enjoyable way to undertake physical activity and provided an opportunity for social interaction between patients. This is important as loneliness and boredom are a common occurrence during hospitalisation and are detrimental to overall health and well-being. Patients reported an emotional impact though taking part; happiness from engaging with the group and the release of pent up emotions through the triggering of memories by the music and conversations within the group.ConclusionDance for Health provides a range of physical, social and emotional benefits for hospitalised older people. Further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of group dance sessions in increasing physical activity on an acute ward and the potential psychological benefits for hospitalised older people.


Author(s):  
R. Rokkaku ◽  
S. Kaneko

Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between in-patient foot and nail condition and their falling. The purpose is to determine if a nursing intervention can reduce the risk of falling in the acute hospital setting. We found that the group of those had fallen significantly suffered from abnormalities of their feet and/or nail. It became especially clear that falling was related to tinea, excessive keratin, and excessively long nails. Also, there were few nurses who were aware that foot and nail condition are a risk factor of falling. Relatedly, their concern for the condition of patients’ feet and nails was low. We recommend that nurses and patients improve the condition of feet and nails to reduce falling by the elderly in an acute hospital setting. In addition, we conclude that foot care enhances the lower extremities’ physiological functions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R Davey ◽  
Samuel J Byrne ◽  
Prudence M Millear ◽  
Chris Dawber ◽  
Luigi Medoro

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