St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), Dublin has been selected as one of two pilot sites for the HSE’s innovative Virtual Wards initiative. This project aims to support patients in receiving hospital care in the comfort of their own homes.
In late 2023, representatives of the HSE met with the hospital’s Clinical Team to introduce the Virtual Ward concept and invited them to be a pilot site. Recognising the project’s potential to improve patient care and hospital efficiency, SVUH immediately agreed to participate.
A spokesperson for the hospital said, “By early this year, our calendar was filled with meetings and workshops dedicated to the Virtual Ward Project. We formed a multidisciplinary Local Implementation Group (LIG) comprising of experts from Medical, Nursing and ICT Departments, with contributions from Estates, Clinical Engineering, HIPE, Statistics and Pharmacy colleagues. The team has worked non-stop over the past six months to turn the Virtual Ward concept into reality.
“Suitable cardiology and respiratory patients at SVUH and University Hospital Limerick will benefit from this service. Technology will enable patients to receive necessary care, monitoring and treatment while remaining under the guidance of their consultant-led hospital team.
“Benefits for Patients Include:
- Enhanced recovery.
- Lower risk of hospital-acquired infections.
- Reduced likelihood of needing another inpatient stay in the near future.
“A wide range of disciplines have contributed to the project’s success to date, demonstrating the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The project has also fostered collaboration with colleagues from UHL and National Teams such as E Health and Clinical Safety, aligning the project with national health strategies.
A huge thanks to our incredible team for their dedication and hard work. We are excited to be part of this innovative project, transforming how we deliver care to our patients.”
