"Second Generation" Virtual Wards
Once a Virtual Ward has been established in an area, they are usually focussed on patients with long term conditions that require complex medical management.
However, use of risk stratification often generates significant numbers of patients that require more specialised management. Whilst an assertive case manager may be able to impact on some of the health needs of these more specialised cases it has been recognised that focussing the appropriately skilled and trained staff in these areas, using a Virtual Ward model, can be effective. Typically, these specialised areas include mental health, alcohol/drug misuse and children.
Although there has been some development on risk stratification tools for some of these patients (most notably the SPARRA-MD tool), specialised stratification is not essential. Development of Virtual Ward teams with the specialised skills to deal with these specialised cases is one area of Second Generation Virtual Wards.
Not surprisingly, frequent service users are also highlighted by risk stratification, and again, are often difficult to manage by Virtual Wards alone. Another area that Virtual Wards are developing is in this specialised patient group.
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