virtual hospital

There was work being done on the creation of a virtual hospital before the arrival of SARS-COV-2, but that event certainly accelerated the process. The virtual hospital is an organisation that monitors patients who stay in their own homes, providing information to the hospital about their state of health by means of digital devices recording temperature, heart rate, etc., and by telehealth consultations with medical staff at the hospital by means of a video phone installed in the patient’s home.  Regulation of medications is also part of the service.  If a patient’s situation deteriorates, then instant transfer to hospital is organised.

 The idea of the virtual hospital is that it relieves the strain on the bricks-and-mortar hospital. Many patients would prefer to be in their own homes rather than in hospital.  It cuts down on the need for patients to travel to hospital for check-ups.  The first virtual hospital was trialled at Armidale Hospital in April 2020, but with the need to care for coronavirus patients, many of whom are not sick enough to need to go to hospital but who none the less need medical attention, the virtual hospital is coming into its own.