A year on from implementing Virtual Wards ‘Covid at home’ monitoring and support service for over 1200 pregnant women
In March 2021, our Women’s Hospital implemented a virtual service to support pregnant women from home during the pandemic, helping to benefit over 1200 mums to be. As many as 145 women were active patients receiving care from the Virtual Wards Service during the peak of the Omicron variant.
Operated and managed by our Enhanced Care Midwives, along with midwives who were redeployed from direct clinical facing care, as a result of the risk assessments in place; the service aimed to reach women who had tested positive for Covid-19 quickly and provide a central point of contact for assessment, reassurance, or referral.
Rachel Carter, Director of Midwifery/ Deputy Chief Nurse said:
“This has been an innovative way of reaching women whilst avoiding the spread of the virus but still allowing us to provide the essential care and reassurance to pregnant women, and families, with Covid-19. We have been proud to share our guidance and learning to support other Trusts looking to do the same”
Women receive initial assessment via a phone call to evaluate how Covid-19 has been affecting them and their pregnancy; this includes an assessment to evaluate the risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots). From here our Enhanced Care Midwives and at-risk redeployed midwives who currently work from home support with subsequent treatments and medication depending on the individual’s care needs.
This has reduced unnecessary hospital stays and visits, making sure that pregnant women have received the right care, in the right place, at the right time, whilst managing the risk of infection to others. This has continued as restrictions ease to keep hospital stays to a minimum for our patients.
Pregnant women accessing the virtual ward service can also expect to be offered home pulse oximetry monitoring with repeat callbacks to assess, reassure or refer them regarding their symptoms and baby’s wellbeing before virtual discharge. Alongside this, women will also receive a guidance leaflet based on national information provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) and Gynaecologists and NHS England. There is also an opportunity for continued access to the service if required and, before discharge, choices regarding covid-19 vaccinations are also discussed.
The team within Maternity Services at the Women’s Hospital have undertaken careful review during virtual consultations to ensure the women who need to be seen in person are reviewed in an appropriate clinical space and unless admission is required time spent at the hospital has been minimal.