Virtual Ward for Early Discharge in Patients Receiving Inpatient Care

Launched by ERASMUS MEDICAL CENTER · Apr 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to provide hospital-level care for patients at home using a program called the Virtual Ward. The goal is to see if at least 30% of eligible patients can be safely discharged from the hospital earlier than usual and monitored from home through technology. Patients will use a smartphone or tablet to check their vital signs and answer questions about their health. This approach aims to make recovery more comfortable while ensuring that patients receive the care they need.

To participate in this study, patients must be adults who are currently in the hospital and can be safely discharged early. They also need to have access to a smartphone or tablet and be able to use a specific app, or have someone who can help them. However, patients who need constant hospital care, are unstable, or have other serious health concerns may not be eligible. This trial is still in the planning stages and hasn't started recruiting participants yet, but it represents an exciting opportunity to improve patient care through technology.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patients (≥18 years old).
• • Currently hospitalized and eligible for early discharge according to clinical judgment.
• • Ability to provide written informed consent.
• • Access to a smartphone or tablet with internet connection.
• • Patient is capable of using the Digizorg app or has support from a caregiver who can assist.
• • Suitable home situation for Virtual Ward care (e.g., safe environment, necessary utilities available).
• • Enrollment in one of the predefined Virtual Ward care pathways
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients requiring continuous hospital-based monitoring or interventions that cannot be safely delivered at home.
• • Patients who are hemodynamically unstable or require oxygen therapy \>5 liters/minute at the time of discharge.
• • Patients unable or unwilling to comply with home monitoring procedures.
• • Patients with significant cognitive impairment without adequate caregiver support.
• • Patients with a life expectancy less than 30 days, as assessed by the treating physician.
• • Patients participating in another interventional clinical trial that could interfere with the Virtual Ward protocol.
• • Any other condition that, in the opinion of the treating physician, would make participation unsafe or infeasible.