Covid Virtual Ward: Are we effectively managing patients in the community following hospitalisation from Acute COVID infection?

Background: During the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, patients were only allowed discharge from hospital after achieving clinical stability, weaned off oxygen therapy and completed Dexamethasone. The COVID Virtual Ward @ Home (CVW@H) model facilitates safe and early discharge, allowing patients to be managed in their preferred place of care. Method(s): All patients enrolled onto CVW@H were provided with a pulse oximeter, agreed remote monitoring systems and additional care and support as clinically required. The agreed duration of monitoring was 14 days. Patients were contacted on Day 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 to a community based ward round. The respiratory consultants had daily oversights on this remote service. Result(s): A total of 100 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 infections were enrolled on CVW@H between 30th June and 30th September 2021. 68 patients were discharged with no oxygen or Dexamethasone, 28 were on Dexamethasone therapy, 8 were on oxygen alone and 2 were on oxygen and Dexamethasone. Without CVW@H support, these would have remained in hospital until achieving clinical stability and completion of the above therapy. 3 patients were appropriately re-admitted to hospital with Covid related Hypoxia. All these amount to 438 bed days saved in 90 days, a cost saving of approximately 7pound;175,000 (209,000). In comparion, the running cost for CVW@H was 7pound;46,772 (55,883) during this period. Conclusion(s): CVW@H can safely manage patients with improving covid infections at home and provides a safety for these patients. It also has a significant cost saving potential.

‘Stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ Do neutralising monoclonal antibodies really live up to the hype?

P167 Table 1This early service data supports use of anti-COVID medication in the clinically vulnerable group within non-hospital settings, reducing requirements for further primary or secondary care interventions. They can help reduce the burden on already overwhelmed health care systems.Gupta A, Gonzalez-Rojas Y, Juarez E, Crespo Casal M, Moya J, Falci DR, et al. Early Treatment for Covid-19 with SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Sotrovimab. New England Journal of Medicine 2021;385(21):1941–50.Jayk Bernal A, Gomes da Silva MM, Musungaie DB, Kovalchuk E, Gonzalez A, Delos Reyes V, et al. Molnupiravir for oral treatment of Covid-19 in nonhospitalized patients. New England Journal of Medicine 2021;386(6):509–20.