Virtual wards

A virtual ward is a service that lets you get the care you need at home instead of in a hospital.

Your hospital team uses technology to monitor and treat you.

Virtual wards are offered at:

• University Hospital Limerick
• St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin

Who virtual wards are for

Your hospital team may suggest a virtual ward if:

• you are in hospital with certain conditions
• they feel that your condition can be managed from home

If you do not want to be a patient on a virtual ward, you will get similar care in the hospital.

Virtual wards are not suitable for everyone.

Benefits of virtual wards

There are many benefits to getting care on a virtual ward including:

• being in a familiar environment - where you may have friends, family and pets - can help your recovery
• a lower risk of getting infections that often spread in hospitals
• lower travel costs for your family

Before leaving the hospital

Your hospital team and consultant will meet you and your family or carer and agree a care plan with you.

They will explain how they will manage your care at home.

How the team manages your care

The hospital team will manage your care using:

• a monitoring kit to measure your heart rate, oxygen level, breathing rate
• planned check-ins - these might be video calls or phone calls
• questionnaires that you answer in the virtual ward app on the phone or tablet

Monitoring kit

Your hospital team will give you a monitoring kit to help check your health.

The kit includes a:

• tablet with the virtual ward app
• blood pressure monitor
• device to measure your heart rate, oxygen level, breathing rate
• thermometer to take your temperature

They will show you how to use the kit. There are also videos on the tablet to help you.

Depending on your health condition, you may also get:

• a weighing scales
• an ECG monitor to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity
• a peak flow meter to measure air flow from your lungs

Planned check-ins

You and your hospital team will agree how often they will contact you for check-ins.

You can contact the team at any time by:

• phone
• using the virtual ward app to request a call back

Changes to care plans

Changes to your care plan can be made without you having to return to hospital. For example, your team can change your medicine or send other equipment to you.

Talk to your virtual ward care team if you want to go back into hospital.

There is no need to contact your GP while you are a patient on a virtual ward.

How long to stay on a virtual ward

You will stay on a virtual ward for as long as you need hospital care. Some people are discharged in less than a week.

Your team will recommend that you stay in the area of your home while you are on the virtual ward. If you need to leave your house for any reason, talk to your care team first.

Discharge from the virtual ward

When your team decides you no longer need hospital care, they will discharge (release) you from the virtual ward.

Your team will tell you when you are being discharged.

Challenges with virtual ward care

There can be some challenges with virtual ward care. You can prepare for most of these.

Technical issues

Your virtual ward team will give you details of who to contact if you have any technical problems with your monitoring kit.

The team will know if your equipment is not working properly.

If your health changes

The monitoring kit will alert the team to any changes in your health or if your treatment is not working well. If this happens, they will contact you.

If you, your family or carer are concerned about your symptoms, you can contact your care team by:

• phone
• requesting a call back through the virtual ward app

What to do in an emergency