Abstract
Introduction/background summary: The Covid Positive Pathways Program (C+PP) Victoria's North-East Metro region, utilised telehealth to provide immediate virtual care to clients infected with COVID while isolating at home. This presentation focuses on the service model delivered across primary, community and hospital care settings, highlighting how the Community Health sector worked collaboratively to ensure timely and integrated care for Victorians. The program aimed to provide clinical and psychosocial virtual care to clients testing positive for COVID in home isolation, supporting a population of 1.8 million people, across 277 postcodes.
Who was the program for/ involvement and engagement:The service model and virtual platforms were rapidly developed with the involvement of Community Health, Public Health Units, Hospitals, the Department of Health, software vendors and Primary Health Networks. Initially, the service was delivered through partnerships between hospital and community health agencies. In 2022, a consortium of five Community Health organisations were commissioned to independently deliver the program.
What did we do: The program was delivered by skilled Registered Nurses (RNs), Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and Social Workers (SWs) and General Practitioners (GPs). Clients accessed the program automatically through reported positive PCR or rapid antigen test results. The clients were sent a link to report their symptoms daily, where the team had real time access, monitoring these self reported symptoms and responding to clinical or social concerns. Virtual assessments of acute healthcare needs were conducted with immediate access to treatment, including anti-viral therapies when indicated. Care pathways were developed in collaboration with hospitals and Hospital in the Home (HITH) services to support deteriorating clients. Care coordination support was provided, including access to material aid for safe home isolation. Additionally, comprehensive health assessments were conducted, and care coordination, social prescribing and referrals to other services were initiated to address non-acute health needs when required.
Our results and community impact: The program not only reduced the risk of virus transmission through home isolation support, but also decreased the burden on primary and tertiary healthcare services including highly pressured emergency departments. Telehealth capabilities allowed the program to overcome geographical barriers, foster consistent collaboration across agencies, manage demand effectively across the entire region and ensure equitable access to care, particularly for vulnerable clients in hard-to-reach priority groups.
The presentation will showcase quantitative and qualitative data, including:
- Number of telehealth calls conducted
- Use of remote monitoring
- Number of escalations made to primary and tertiary healthcare
- Insights and improvements from client feedback
Learning and potential next steps: By sharing the experiences and outcomes of C+PP, the aim is to inform and inspire other healthcare professionals about the use of telehealth in expanding access to care and engaging communities. The presentation highlights the pivotal role that Community Health services play in bridging the gap between healthcare providers. The insights gained from this program can serve as a valuable resource for designing and implementing similar virtual telehealth initiatives in other areas of healthcare, ultimately contributing to a healthcare system which is sustainable into the future.