NCT01108172

A Virtual Ward to Reduce Readmissions After Hospital Discharge

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1,928 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Unity Health Toronto · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to see whether a Virtual Ward reduces readmissions after hospital discharge.

Detailed description

We will conduct a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial to evaluate a new model of care for high-risk medical patients after discharge from hospital. This new model of care has two key elements. First, we will use the LACE index (see citation below for details) to identify patients who are at high risk of readmission or death after hospital discharge. These patients will be randomized to either the Virtual Ward or usual care on the day of discharge. Although patients being cared for in the Virtual Ward will reside at home, they will benefit from a hospital-like interdisciplinary team, a shared set of notes, a single point of contact, round-the-clock physician availability and increased co-ordination of specialist, primary and home-based community care for several weeks after hospital discharge.

Conditions

• Acute Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Virtual Ward	A multidisciplinary team to optimize medical and social care for patients residing in their own homes
OTHER	Usual care	The usual care provided to patients after discharge from hospital

Timeline

• Start date: 2010-06-01
• Primary completion: 2013-06-01
• Completion: 2014-06-01
• First posted: 2010-04-21
• Last updated: 2013-12-09

Locations

5 sites across 1 country: Canada