Software company’s app helps NHS hospital reduce admissions during pandemic
A smartphone app developed by a Birmingham-based medical software company for reporting symptoms is helping the NHS in Dudley reduce the amount of unnecessary hospital admissions during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The patient app has been developed by Dignio and commissioned by the NHS Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group.
It is using the system to monitor Covid-19 patients with existing clinical conditions, who could deteriorate.
Connecting with Bluetooth enabled medical devices, patients can be monitored remotely.
Patients with smartphones download the app and can be instantly connected to devices including a thermometer and oximeter, meaning that those with mild Coronavirus symptoms can be checked regularly.
Data, including pulse, temperature and oxygen levels is displayed on the smartphone and transferred automatically to a platform where clinicians follow up a large number of patients.
Those being monitored also report their symptoms through a questionnaire, which together with the vital signs provide a good overview of their condition.
They also can communicate with clinicians through messages or arrange video consultations if needed.
Until now patients, who were self-isolating, would receive a call from a clinician to find out how they were feeling. Instead, the app creates a ‘virtual ward’ with patient readings recorded automatically and alerts sent to healthcare staff at the first sign of any deterioration.
The solution makes it easy to triage patients and prioritise those who need it the most.
Dr Jonathan Darby, clinical lead, Dudley at CCG, said: “We’ve been using the MyDignio solution as a pilot in monitoring Category-2 Covid patients at home. We have found the
software easy to use as well as enormously reassuring for patients. It’s helping to keep hospital admissions to a minimum, meaning that there’s more capacity for Covid patients who are in a more serious condition.”
Ewa Truchanowicz, managing director of MyDignio, said: “This technology has already been used by Mastercall Healthcare, which provides out of hours care in the Greater Manchester area. It has been helping to reduce hospital admissions by monitoring those with long-term health conditions at home. We are now looking to facilitate a wider adoption of our solution elsewhere in the UK and abroad.”
NHS Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group is planning to expand the solution to care homes across area.
Dr Darby added: “It has opened the eyes of both clinicians and patients to the benefits and advantages of remote monitoring.”
