Evaluating virtual symptom tracking for COVID-19 positive patients, new study – Virtual patient care platform developed by CANet launches to provide vital support
Media Release
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2020
Patients are now being enrolled in the study from the Urgent COVID-19 Care Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre. This virtual clinic helps identify, triage, monitor and manage potential complications for people recovering from COVID-19 at home. Patients can self-monitor their health with ongoing access to virtual physician support.
The COVID-19 Virtual Care at Home research study is testing the use of VIRTUES (Virtual Integrated Reliable Transformative User-Driven E-health System), a virtual, patient-centred platform created by CANet to help guide COVID-19 positive patients in managing their illness. They will have remote access to a team of health care providers including those specialized in the fields of cardiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, infectious disease, neurology and respirology.
“Using VIRTUES, the care team can monitor a range of symptoms remotely that tells us a lot about how the patient is doing. In addition to tracking their temperature, we are using a home-based pulse oximeter to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation,” says project co-lead Dr. Marko Mrkobrada, LHSC physician and Lawson Associate Scientist.
As symptoms are logged and tracked, there are alerts for communication between the patient and members of the care team. They can react quickly if additional care is needed such as a visit to the doctor’s office or hospital.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for effective virtual health care,” says Dr. Anthony Tang, CANet CEO and Scientific Director. “Technology solutions support this care by giving both patients and health care providers fast and accurate access to critical information about symptom progression.”
As a made-in-Canada solution, CANet partnered with Clearbridge Mobile, an application development company in Toronto, to adapt an existing virtual care platform. “We responded quickly to provide a way for health care providers to remotely monitor, triage and manage care for patients with COVID-19, and help identify early on those who are at higher risk of complications,” adds Dr. Tang. Before the pandemic, VIRTUES was used for remote monitoring and care for patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers.
“We want to learn more about making health care technology user-friendly. Patients will have more information about their care and hopefully will experience reduced anxiety,” explains project co-lead Dr. Erin Spicer, LHSC physician and Lawson Associate Scientist. “While the majority of COVID-19 cases don’t require hospitalization, this system allows us to more closely monitor a patient’s progress and make informed decisions if their symptoms worsen.”
This research project highlights the importance of collaborative effort. Most importantly, with patient partners’ active participation in helping design the VIRTUES platform and this research project. Along with CANet’s investment to adapt the VIRTUES platform for this project, the Department of Medicine at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has provided active support with many sub-specialists and investments from the Centre of Quality, Innovation and Safety (CQuinS) program.
“I am proud to be associated with this vital initiative. This research project will be comforting for patients contracted with COVID-19, providing reassurance that they are cared for by experts and monitored with technology advancement.” Dr. James Calvin, citywide Chair/Chief of Medicine.
The research team explains that these types of remote care systems may be able to play an important role in stemming the spread of the virus, while providing high-quality, accessible care using fewer resources. It also provides a means of rapid and accurate tracking of case recovery.
“We want to keep people safe. Following evaluation of VIRTUES here in London, we hope to see it implemented across the province and beyond. Patients have access to enhanced care while being able to hopefully stay in their homes during their recovery, helping to decrease exposure of COVID-19 in the community and for frontline health care workers,” adds Dr. Tang.
ABOUT VIRTUES
VIRTUES was designed, developed and implemented with the essential involvement of patients, on-going expertise of healthcare leaders from CANet’s pan-Canadian network of investigators and clinicians, and fundamental support of academic, industry and government partners from provinces and territories across Canada.
Patients will receive on-demand virtual care using state-of-the-art Canadian-made biosensor driven diagnostics and health informatics, integrated with cutting-edge digital technologies, advanced analytics and wireless connectivity.
VIRTUES delivers the most efficient, effective, and accessible healthcare, on-demand, and tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
www.virtues.care
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT
Fabian Folias, Digital Marketing and Communications, Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada, t: 519-661-2111 ext. 81353, c: 519-933-3267, e: [email protected]
Laura Goncalves, Communications and External Relations, Lawson Health Research Institute, t: 519-685-8500 ext. 64059, c: 226-448-1525, e: [email protected]
ABOUT CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA NETWORK OF CANADA (CANET)
CANet is a Pan-Canadian multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral research and development network of investigators, well-positioned industry partners, patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers focused on arrhythmia research, technology development and commercialization, and digital transformation activities. CANet is funded in part by the federal government’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada’s flagship science and technology program.
ABOUT LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Lawson Health Research Institute is one of Canada’s top hospital-based research institutes, tackling the most pressing challenges in health care. As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, our innovation happens where care is delivered. Lawson research teams are at the leading-edge of science with the goal of improving health and the delivery of care for patients. Working in partnership with Western University, our researchers are encouraged to pursue their curiosity, collaborate often and share their discoveries widely. Research conducted through Lawson makes a difference in the lives of patients, families and communities around the world.
Media Release
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2020
Patients are now being enrolled in the study from the Urgent COVID-19 Care Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre. This virtual clinic helps identify, triage, monitor and manage potential complications for people recovering from COVID-19 at home. Patients can self-monitor their health with ongoing access to virtual physician support.
The COVID-19 Virtual Care at Home research study is testing the use of VIRTUES (Virtual Integrated Reliable Transformative User-Driven E-health System), a virtual, patient-centred platform created by CANet to help guide COVID-19 positive patients in managing their illness. They will have remote access to a team of health care providers including those specialized in the fields of cardiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, infectious disease, neurology and respirology.
“Using VIRTUES, the care team can monitor a range of symptoms remotely that tells us a lot about how the patient is doing. In addition to tracking their temperature, we are using a home-based pulse oximeter to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation,” says project co-lead Dr. Marko Mrkobrada, LHSC physician and Lawson Associate Scientist.
As symptoms are logged and tracked, there are alerts for communication between the patient and members of the care team. They can react quickly if additional care is needed such as a visit to the doctor’s office or hospital.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for effective virtual health care,” says Dr. Anthony Tang, CANet CEO and Scientific Director. “Technology solutions support this care by giving both patients and health care providers fast and accurate access to critical information about symptom progression.”
As a made-in-Canada solution, CANet partnered with Clearbridge Mobile, an application development company in Toronto, to adapt an existing virtual care platform. “We responded quickly to provide a way for health care providers to remotely monitor, triage and manage care for patients with COVID-19, and help identify early on those who are at higher risk of complications,” adds Dr. Tang. Before the pandemic, VIRTUES was used for remote monitoring and care for patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers.
“We want to learn more about making health care technology user-friendly. Patients will have more information about their care and hopefully will experience reduced anxiety,” explains project co-lead Dr. Erin Spicer, LHSC physician and Lawson Associate Scientist. “While the majority of COVID-19 cases don’t require hospitalization, this system allows us to more closely monitor a patient’s progress and make informed decisions if their symptoms worsen.”
This research project highlights the importance of collaborative effort. Most importantly, with patient partners’ active participation in helping design the VIRTUES platform and this research project. Along with CANet’s investment to adapt the VIRTUES platform for this project, the Department of Medicine at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has provided active support with many sub-specialists and investments from the Centre of Quality, Innovation and Safety (CQuinS) program.
“I am proud to be associated with this vital initiative. This research project will be comforting for patients contracted with COVID-19, providing reassurance that they are cared for by experts and monitored with technology advancement.” Dr. James Calvin, citywide Chair/Chief of Medicine.
The research team explains that these types of remote care systems may be able to play an important role in stemming the spread of the virus, while providing high-quality, accessible care using fewer resources. It also provides a means of rapid and accurate tracking of case recovery.
“We want to keep people safe. Following evaluation of VIRTUES here in London, we hope to see it implemented across the province and beyond. Patients have access to enhanced care while being able to hopefully stay in their homes during their recovery, helping to decrease exposure of COVID-19 in the community and for frontline health care workers,” adds Dr. Tang.
ABOUT VIRTUES
Patients will receive on-demand virtual care using state-of-the-art Canadian-made biosensor driven diagnostics and health informatics, integrated with cutting-edge digital technologies, advanced analytics and wireless connectivity.
VIRTUES delivers the most efficient, effective, and accessible healthcare, on-demand, and tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
www.virtues.care
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT
Fabian Folias, Digital Marketing and Communications, Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada, t: 519-661-2111 ext. 81353, c: 519-933-3267, e: [email protected]
Laura Goncalves, Communications and External Relations, Lawson Health Research Institute, t: 519-685-8500 ext. 64059, c: 226-448-1525, e: [email protected]
ABOUT CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA NETWORK OF CANADA (CANET)
CANet is a Pan-Canadian multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral research and development network of investigators, well-positioned industry partners, patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers focused on arrhythmia research, technology development and commercialization, and digital transformation activities. CANet is funded in part by the federal government’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada’s flagship science and technology program.
ABOUT LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Lawson Health Research Institute is one of Canada’s top hospital-based research institutes, tackling the most pressing challenges in health care. As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, our innovation happens where care is delivered. Lawson research teams are at the leading-edge of science with the goal of improving health and the delivery of care for patients. Working in partnership with Western University, our researchers are encouraged to pursue their curiosity, collaborate often and share their discoveries widely. Research conducted through Lawson makes a difference in the lives of patients, families and communities around the world.