Remote monitoring of patients awaiting urgent CABG in a virtual ward safely saved 1,306 hospital bed-nights with 0% in-hospital mortality and 95% positive patient satisfaction.
Does remote monitoring via a virtual ward safely reduce hospital stay and maintain patient satisfaction in selected patients awaiting urgent CABG?
Virtual ward remote monitoring for selected patients awaiting urgent CABG is safe, yields high patient satisfaction, and significantly reduces hospital bed utilization.
Abstract Objectives Waiting time for Urgent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery (CABG) can be from 7–28 days. Remote monitoring may allow patients to safely spend this time at home prior to surgery. The aim of this project is to assess the safety and efficiency of using remote monitoring in a virtual ward to facilitate hospital discharge and conversion from inpatient urgent to early elective CABG. Methods All patients referred for urgent inpatient CABG were assessed for suitability using a pre-set criteria (Pain free for 48hrs, non-critical coronary disease, all investigations completed and accepted and listed for surgery on specific date within 14 days). They were monitored via the Ortus iHealth platform with daily symptomatic questionnaires. Primary outcome was unplanned admission, non-elective surgery, bed nights saved and patient satisfaction. Results From December 2022 and August 2025, 156 patients were recruited onto the pathway from 12 different hospitals. Mean age was 60 years and 128 (82%) were male. Median time from discharge to surgery was 9 days with a total of 1306 bed-nights saved. Eleven patients flagged on the system with symptoms, all of whom underwent expedited elective surgery. One patient had an emergency PCI. In hospital mortality was 0% and one patient had resternotomy for bleeding. 95% of patients rated their overall experience good, very good or excellent. Conclusions Selected patients requiring urgent CABG can be safely monitored via a virtual ward with high patient satisfaction and significant reduction in hospital stay and costs.
Crawford et al. (2026) studied this question. Remote monitoring of patients awaiting urgent CABG in a virtual ward safely saved 1,306 hospital bed-nights with 0% in-hospital mortality and 95% positive patient satisfaction.