Virtual Home Hospital   at
Virtual Home Hospital - Edmonton and Area
Connect Care Specialty: Virtual Home Hospital
Connect Care Department: EDM UAH VIRTUAL OUTPT CLINIC
Estimated time to routine appointment: Within 24 Hours
Alberta Health Services - Provincial Health Services
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Delivers hospital-level care in the home through virtual technologies and in-person visits, in partnership with community providers, for eligible patients and health conditions.About Virtual Home Hospital

Some Albertans can receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own home through an Alberta Health Services (AHS) Virtual Home Hospital. Virtual Home Hospitals allow eligible patients the opportunity to leave the hospital early and may even avoid admission to a physical hospital.

Patient care is provided by a Virtual Home Hospital care team (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists) through virtual care technologies (e.g., video calls and remote patient monitoring) and in-person facility visits, if needed. The care team also works closely with community providers (e.g., community paramedics and Home Care) to deliver hands-on care in the patient’s home, or other location they choose to receive care.

Virtual Home Hospitals have been successfully providing care to Albertans in Calgary and Edmonton since 2018, with patients reporting high levels of satisfaction with their care. As we expand into other parts of Alberta, more Albertans will have access to a Virtual Home Hospital.

Care provided

Virtual Home Hospital patients will have a healthcare team supporting them throughout their care. The team will include the healthcare professionals they need, including a patient’s family doctor or nurse practitioner, if needed. If the patient has family or a caregiver supporting them at home, they will be supported as they help the Virtual Home Hospital care team care for them.

While in the care of a Virtual Home Hospital, specific treatment plans will be unique to a patient’s healthcare needs. They will receive:
  • Regular check-in visits, either by phone, videoconference or in person at the Virtual Home Hospital site, if required. Care will be provided in their home by community partners (e.g., community paramedics and Home Care providers) when required and with patient consent.
  • Medication management, including intravenous (IV) fluids if needed.
  • Education to help patients understand and manage their medical condition and treatment plan.
  • Any other care necessary, based on their treatment plan.
Patients may also require lab work, medical tests and procedures as part of their care, and may also be connected with other healthcare providers and specialists as necessary. Some patients may require more in-person home or facility visits, while others can have most of their care monitored virtually.

Benefits of Virtual Home Hospital care

Receiving care through a Virtual Home Hospital can promote independence, mobility and improved outcomes overall. It can also lower a patient’s risk of some complication that may be more likely to occur in a hospital facility. Patients who have received care through the Virtual Home Hospital have reported high levels of satisfaction with their care.

Referrals

Physician referral is required. Patients will be thoroughly assessed to ensure their health condition can be safely managed from home and that they have the necessary supports in place.

Virtual Home Hospital care is optional. If a patient prefers to continue receiving their care at an appropriate AHS facility, they can do so.
Delivers hospital-level care in the home through virtual technologies and in-person visits, in partnership with community providers, for eligible patients and health conditions.About Virtual Home Hospital

Some Albertans can receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own home through an Alberta Health Services (AHS) Virtual Home Hospital. Virtual Home Hospitals allow eligible patients the opportunity to leave the hospital early and may even avoid admission to a physical hospital.

Patient care is provided by a Virtual Home Hospital care team (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists) through virtual care technologies (e.g., video calls and remote patient monitoring) and in-person facility visits, if needed. The care team also works closely with community providers (e.g., community paramedics and Home Care) to deliver hands-on care in the patient’s home, or other location they choose to receive care.

Virtual Home Hospitals have been successfully providing care to Albertans in Calgary and Edmonton since 2018, with patients reporting high levels of satisfaction with their care. As we expand into other parts of Alberta, more Albertans will have access to a Virtual Home Hospital.

Care provided

Virtual Home Hospital patients will have a healthcare team supporting them throughout their care. The team will include the healthcare professionals they need, including a patient’s family doctor or nurse practitioner, if needed. If the patient has family or a caregiver supporting them at home, they will be supported as they help the Virtual Home Hospital care team care for them.

While in the care of a Virtual Home Hospital, specific treatment plans will be unique to a patient’s healthcare needs. They will receive:
  • Regular check-in visits, either by phone, videoconference or in person at the Virtual Home Hospital site, if required. Care will be provided in their home by community partners (e.g., community paramedics and Home Care providers) when required and with patient consent.
  • Medication management, including intravenous (IV) fluids if needed.
  • Education to help patients understand and manage their medical condition and treatment plan.
  • Any other care necessary, based on their treatment plan.
Patients may also require lab work, medical tests and procedures as part of their care, and may also be connected with other healthcare providers and specialists as necessary. Some patients may require more in-person home or facility visits, while others can have most of their care monitored virtually.

Benefits of Virtual Home Hospital care

Receiving care through a Virtual Home Hospital can promote independence, mobility and improved outcomes overall. It can also lower a patient’s risk of some complication that may be more likely to occur in a hospital facility. Patients who have received care through the Virtual Home Hospital have reported high levels of satisfaction with their care.

Referrals

Physician referral is required. Patients will be thoroughly assessed to ensure their health condition can be safely managed from home and that they have the necessary supports in place.

Virtual Home Hospital care is optional. If a patient prefers to continue receiving their care at an appropriate AHS facility, they can do so.
ROUTINE REFERRAL PROCESS
Inpatient Units & Emergency Departments: In Connect Care, inpatient order: “Inpatient consult to Virtual Home Hospital.”

Ambulatory Clinics & Pre-operative: In Connect Care, outpatient order: “Ambulatory referral to Virtual Home Hospital.”

Family physicians/community: email Generic Referral Form to EZVH@ahs.ca 

Please call us after placing a consult or referral: 1-888-604-0499.
Inpatient Units & Emergency Departments: In Connect Care, inpatient order: “Inpatient consult to Virtual Home Hospital.”

Ambulatory Clinics & Pre-operative: In Connect Care, outpatient order: “Ambulatory referral to Virtual Home Hospital.”

Family physicians/community: email Generic Referral Form to EZVH@ahs.ca 

Please call us after placing a consult or referral: 1-888-604-0499.
URGENT REFERRAL PROCESS
Please see routine referral process.
Please see routine referral process.
EMERGENCY REFERRAL PROCESS
If your patient requires emergency care, please direct them to the nearest Emergency Department or Urgent Care Facility. If the patient still fits criteria for Virtual Home Hospital, proceed with a referral and call us immediately after.
If your patient requires emergency care, please direct them to the nearest Emergency Department or Urgent Care Facility. If the patient still fits criteria for Virtual Home Hospital, proceed with a referral and call us immediately after.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Any patient who meets the criteria below should be considered for Virtual Home Hospital care.
  • requires inpatient care or enhanced monitoring/clinical management to prevent emergency department visits, admissions or readmissions to a brick-and-mortar facility;
  • may be a current inpatient or current outpatient, and may come from primary care providers in the community;
  • is medically appropriate for Virtual Home Hospital (including consideration of expected clinical trajectory);
  • has care needs that cannot be met in the community by any available service(s);
  • is functionally able to be in their home (or other safe location where they choose to receive care) and/or has caregiver/homecare support in place, if needed;
  • can provide informed consent or has an alternate decision-maker, as per AHS policy; and
  • is engaged and willing to participate in their care, and/or has an engaged caregiver.
A patient who exhibits any of the following medical safety or environmental criteria should receive care in a conventional setting and would not be appropriate for Virtual Home Hospital care:

Medical Safety
  • Exhibits unmanageable behaviors (e.g., risk of harm to self/others).
  • Patient and/or caregiver is unable to follow instructions regarding treatment.
Environment
  • No fixed address or other safe (e.g., physical and/or emotional) place to receive care;
  • Patient and/or caregiver is unable to communicate through phone or computer and/or translation services are unavailable; and
  • Patient does not have access to the necessary in-home supports (e.g., caregiver, if required).
Any patient who meets the criteria below should be considered for Virtual Home Hospital care.
  • requires inpatient care or enhanced monitoring/clinical management to prevent emergency department visits, admissions or readmissions to a brick-and-mortar facility;
  • may be a current inpatient or current outpatient, and may come from primary care providers in the community;
  • is medically appropriate for Virtual Home Hospital (including consideration of expected clinical trajectory);
  • has care needs that cannot be met in the community by any available service(s);
  • is functionally able to be in their home (or other safe location where they choose to receive care) and/or has caregiver/homecare support in place, if needed;
  • can provide informed consent or has an alternate decision-maker, as per AHS policy; and
  • is engaged and willing to participate in their care, and/or has an engaged caregiver.
A patient who exhibits any of the following medical safety or environmental criteria should receive care in a conventional setting and would not be appropriate for Virtual Home Hospital care:

Medical Safety
  • Exhibits unmanageable behaviors (e.g., risk of harm to self/others).
  • Patient and/or caregiver is unable to follow instructions regarding treatment.
Environment
  • No fixed address or other safe (e.g., physical and/or emotional) place to receive care;
  • Patient and/or caregiver is unable to communicate through phone or computer and/or translation services are unavailable; and
  • Patient does not have access to the necessary in-home supports (e.g., caregiver, if required).
ADDITIONAL SERVICE DETAILS
Programs currently offered through the Edmonton Zone Virtual Home Hospital are:
  • Medicine (e.g. HF, COPD, CKD, DM, Afib, short course IV therapy)
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology (e.g. acute stroke)
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Women’s Health (e.g. postpartum hypertension management)
Programs currently offered through the Edmonton Zone Virtual Home Hospital are:
  • Medicine (e.g. HF, COPD, CKD, DM, Afib, short course IV therapy)
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology (e.g. acute stroke)
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Women’s Health (e.g. postpartum hypertension management)
COMMUNICATION PROCESS
  • Communication of referral receipt to referral source will occur within 1 calendar days.
  • Communication of appointment details or wait list status to patient and referral source will occur within 1 calendar days.
  • Communication of initial appointment outcomes to referral source will occur within 1 calendar days.
 
PHONE
1-888-604-0499
REFERRAL PHONE
1-888-604-0499
REFERRAL FORM
LINKED SPECIALISTS
CLICK + TO VIEW REFERRAL GUIDELINES
+-
Routine Reason for Referral
Access Targets convey the clinically appropriate timeframe patients should be seen within, by reason for referral and priority level.
Access Target
Required Information/Investigations
Timing
Additional Details
+-
Inpatient care
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Past medical history
 
Within 1 month
Patient needs inpatient-level care through Virtual Home Hospital.
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Email
Print
 
MISSED APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES
 
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
   
 
ADDRESS

Edmonton
Alberta
T5B 0C2
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INSTRUCTIONS
 
DIRECTIONS
 
PHONE
1-888-604-0499
 
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
 
EMAIL
ezvh@ahs.ca
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
 
PARKING MAP
 
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
N/A

The primary purpose of the All Locations list is to let the user easily access any location of a healthcare service without going back to the main search screen.

The locations listed have 3 background colors:
  • Green means the healthcare service@location has referral information attached to it.
  • Brown means the healthcare service@location never had referral information attached to it, or it has unpublished referral information.
  • Red means
    • IA changed the healthcare service@location's status to something other than Current
    • It was deleted if it is an ARD healthcare service@location.
Green  and Brown are always at the top of the list. These are the Healthcare Service@Locations with the status of Current.
The Red list at the bottom consists of non-current Healthcare Service@locations that once had Published referral information in the ARD.
If the referral information was never published in ARD the Healthcare Service@location will not show in the Red list.

The secondary purpose of the All Locations list is to allow ARD Administrators to recover (copy) referral information from the non-current Healthcare Service@Locations to ones that are current.

Common Scenario:
A Healthcare Service moves from one location to another. In this case the IA Healthcare Service@Location record will be made defunct (non-current) and a new Healthcare Service@Location record will be created with a current status. In this scenario the captured referral guidelines in ARD can become "orphaned" as they are not attached to any current IA healthcare service.

Categories of non-current or orphaned referral guidelines: INDIVIDUAL and COMMON.
The REFERRAL GUIDELINES section of the profile has the prefix INDIVIDUAL or COMMON to help you choose the method below when transferring referral guidelines from a non-current Healthcare Service@Location to a current healthcare service@location.

Individual referral process
  1. Click on a non-current (Red) Healthcare Service@Location at the bottom of the All Locations list.
  2. The non-current referral info is displayed with the link Copy this Referral Process to another Healthcare Service@Location link on the upper right hand corner. Click on the copy link.
  3. Choose a current location (Green or Brown) from the All Locations list. This will be the Healthcare Service@Location you are pasting the referral info into.
  4. The system will display the Edit Referral Info screen populated with the referral info from the non-current Healthcare Service@Location you viewed in the first step.
  5. Click Save and the referral info is transferred from the non-current Healthcare Service@Location to the current one.
  6. Repeat these steps for each Healthcare Service@Location that needs attention.

Common referral process - 2 sub cases.
Case 1: At least 1 current Healthcare Service@Location with common referral info is with current status for this healthcare service; One or more Healthcare Healthcare Service@Locations where replaced by new one.
  1. Click on any current Healthcare Service@Location whether it has referral info (Green) or not (Brown).
  2. The healthcare service location opens in the Edit Referral Info screen populated with the current common referral info.
  3. Save it. 
  4. All locations will be updated with the common referral information, including all the locations that don't have referral info yet (Brown). The non-current referrals (Red) will also be updated.
Case 2:  All Healthcare Healthcare Service@Locations for a healthcare service are set to a non-current status and replaced by new ones. In this case there is no current additional referral info to copy from, so the only alternative is to pick up the non-current common referral process (Red). Follow the steps described in the section Individual Referral Process above to copy/paste the non-current common referral info to the current healthcare service locations.
Generally we want to replicate current common referral info to new or replaced healthcare service locations. We only resort to copying non-current common referral info if there is no other option.

Remember: Some fields can be location specific with the common referral process:
Parking Instructions, Directions, Parking Map, Wait Time, Referral Phone or Referral Fax.
To update these items you have to edit each Healthcare Service@Location separately.

ADDITONAL NOTES:
  • The info icon after the All Locations drop down will be visible to ARD Administrators.
  • The system doesn't allow you to copy referral information from one non-current Healthcare Service@Location to another.

 

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