New Virtual Respiratory Hospital in the Home (HITH) available for patients in Wagga Wagga
Do you have a patient with acute or subacute respiratory illness who requires daily medical review but can otherwise manage at home?
The Virtual Respiratory Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides General Practitioners an alternative management pathway for patients with acute or subacute respiratory illness who may benefit from daily medical review and management within their home.
Based on GP referral, HITH provides Virtual Consultations with patients including home Risk Assessments, Education & Self-Assessment tools.
Daily reviews with patients can be virtual or face to face allowing for: observations, monitoring of symptoms, pathology/sputum collection, comprehensive patient centred care, and escalation of care as required.
Upon discharge, HITH provides the GP with a discharge plan including scripts/medical certificates. Patients are encouraged to book a follow up appointment with their GP.
For advice and referral contact: Virtual Respiratory HiTH Nurse 0459 807 637 Email: MLHD-Wagga-HITH@health.nsw.gov.au
Patient story
During a recent admission to the virtual HITH service, Michelle* a 51-year-old female with known COPD, Emphysema and Asthma received a management plan and was educated on how to take her own observations. She received daily virtual assessments by a respiratory nurse.
Michelle* described her experience of the Virtual HITH service as much better than staying in hospital. The nurse stayed connected everyday with a video link or a phone call, and Michelle* felt she ‘most certainly’ received the same level of care as she would in hospital.
Following her discharge from VHiTH, she attended the public Respiratory Clinic in Wagga. Michelle* said she now feels more confident to stay at home and manage her condition – she can identify when she is feeling unwell and knows when to act and is even thinking about trying to quit smoking.
* Name changed.
