The Virtual Ward

This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference describes the Virtual Ward – a method of providing the support of a hospital ward but in the patient’s home environment. It provides care to the most medically and socially complex patients in their home setting along with multidisciplinary case management. The SETFHT Virtual Ward is for patients who have been admitted to Toronto East General Hospital for a chronic condition such as heart failure, bronchitis, emphysema or diabetes who are without a family doctor. Patients are offered to be rostered within the FHT and be part of the Virtual Ward.  Once patients are at home, they receive follow-up care from various health care providers by phone and home visit as necessary. This may include phone calls to monitor their daily symptoms, answering their questions about medications and ensuring they have the supports to manage. They may also receive equipment that will help them monitor their health condition at home such as a blood pressure cuff, weight scale or a blood sugar monitor. This innovative approach to attaching patients to a family doctor and then providing comprehensive care to them once at home, will hopefully prevent further admissions to hospital and reduce wait times in emergency. It also allows patient to learn how to self manage their condition in order to take care of their own health at home. PRESENTER: Carol Toenjes FHT: South East Toronto Family Health Team Click here to view.