Reviewed on : 5 Jan 2021

Reviewed by : GP Gateway Editor

Expires : 5 Jan 2023

About the COVID Oximetry@home (Virtual Ward)

CCG commissioned South Warwickshire GP Federation and Coventry & Rugby GP Alliance partnership providing the COVID Oximetry@home (Virtual Ward) from 30^th December 2020 through to 31^st March 2021.

This service is for patients registered with a Coventry & Warwickshire GP

Service Description

• A “virtual ward” to which patients with suspected / proven COVID19 who are not unwell enough to need admission
• Patients will usually be monitored by the COVID Oximetry@home (Virtual Ward) for 14 days and longer as necessary.
• Patients supported by a clinical team to report symptoms and act upon any deterioration.
• Care Coordinator available 24/7.
• Daily virtual ward round by a GP.
• Patients will be admitted by GPs, EDs, Hot Hubs etc who fit the criteria below
• The Care coordinator will speak with each admission to describe the service, what to expect and next steps.
• Practices have been given a supply of pulse oximeters for patients to be used for this service.
• If practices run out of pulse oximeters the COVID Oximetry@home can arrange for the delivery/collection of a pulse oximeter.
• The patients will record their observations onto a diary 3 times a day.
• The patient will be told what to do if they deteriorate.
• The Care Coordinator will text/call the patient each day to receive the results.

Admission criteria

Not all patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 will need to be admitted to the Virtual Ward. Those identified as suitable will be admitted in line with the following criteria:

• Positive or clinically COVID ≥ 65 years or
• Positive or clinically COVID and clinically vulnerable/shielding:

BAME

Co-morbidities

Cancer

Learning Disability

Mental Health Disorder

See below flowchart to support decision making for COVID-19 patients.

Click on image below for larger version if needed

Referral

Referral can be made in 3 ways:

1) EMIS booking direct – Follow link for more information

2) Email completed COVID Oximetry@home admission form – Click on form below or on referral form link right for document –crgpa.admin@nhs.net 

3) Phone referral Tel: 07881 359254

Also Provide the patient with:

Pulse oximeter

Patient Pack / Monitoring Form – Follow link for document