A virtual care program for outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19: a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Digital Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Patients discharged home to self-isolate with pending coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results lack formal physician assessment if results are positive.
• A gap exists in healthcare for managing self-isolating outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test the feasibility of a virtual care program for self-isolating outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.
• To provide ongoing care for outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• The COVID-19 Expansion to Outpatients (COVIDEO) program was developed at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
• A feasibility study assessed the first 50 patients managed by the COVIDEO program from March 1 to March 27, 2020.
• Patients were assessed via the Ontario Telemedicine Network virtual care platform or telephone.

Main Results:

• All 50 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and were discharged home were assessed through the COVIDEO program.
• The median time from viral swab collection to the first COVIDEO program assessment was 2 days.
• 6 patients required transfer to hospital for assessment, with 4 requiring admission.

Conclusions:

• A virtual care program can be effectively implemented for managing outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Further studies are ongoing to evaluate the sustainability and health outcome impact of this virtual care program.