Remote monitoring across 35 regional hospitals is improving efficiency and more importantly, patient outcomes.
A two-year evaluation project has shown Western NSW LHD’s Virtual Support remote monitoring service has delivered measurable improvements in patient safety and health system efficiency, says NSW Health.
Led by the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health, in collaboration with the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, the evaluation has shown a 12 percentage point improvement in vital signs monitoring, helping staff identify when patients need additional support.
The Virtual Support service operates as a patient safety net, monitoring existing digital health data of patients at 35 rural hospitals and health facilities across western NSW in real-time.
The remote monitoring software tracks routinely collected data points from rural and remote patients in emergency department and admitted in-patient beds, triggering alerts and generating early warning scores.
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Raw data is monitored and assessed centrally by the LHD’s virtual clinicians 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with key information and concerns relayed directly to local frontline staff caring for patients.
This monitoring helps to identify clinical deterioration earlier and allows rural clinicians to provide timely and appropriate responses when needed. When hospital staff are alerted to patient deterioration through early detection, appropriate escalation and action is possible regardless of where the patient is located.
“Keeping our patients safe and reducing unnecessary transfers are our biggest priorities,” said WNSW LHD director of virtual health Meegan Connors.
“The Virtual Support service means more patients can receive high-quality care closer to home, without the disruption and risk of being transferred long distances.
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“Feedback from local communities has described the VS service as reassuring and potentially lifesaving, particularly for patients without carers, as a means of improving continuity and safety of care.”
Professor Georgina Luscombe, from the University of Sydney, said the service was an investment in safety and efficiency.
“The research findings demonstrate the value of virtual care as a long-term investment,” she said.
“The findings confirm the VS is delivering on its promise – improving patient safety, strengthening rural care delivery, and supporting clinicians to provide the best possible care.
“Continued investment will help ensure every rural patient in Western NSW benefits from safer, more connected healthcare.”
