Abstract
Introduction:
Urgent Community Response (UCR) teams need innovative solutions to deliver timely and effective care to frail older adults. This project explores the combined impact of remote assessment, continuous monitoring, and AI scribes to enhance UCR service delivery, aiming to improve patient care, staff efficiency, and resource utilisation.
Methods:
This service initiative integrates three key remote technological interventions within a UCR frailty service:
- Assessment: Digital examination devices (TytoCare) were used by Clinical Support Workers for remote clinician assessment. Data from 74 remote examinations conducted between April and September 2022 were analysed.
- Monitoring: Biobeat chest and wrist monitors were piloted with 20 patients within a Frailty Virtual Ward for four months. Data was collected to assess the impact on clinical decision-making, patient care, and system efficiency.
- AI Scribes: An AI scribe (Heidi) was introduced to the frailty team, to evaluate its impact on note-taking efficiency and documentation quality. Usage data from 419 sessions were collected and analysed.
Results:
- Assessment: Remote examinations using digital devices allowed clinicians to avoid hospital admissions in 70.3% of cases. The use of Clinical Support Workers saved between £13 and £78 per hour, equating to a potential yearly saving of up to £13,853.
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring improved clinical decision-making and facilitated safe discharge to the patient's usual residence (91% with monitoring vs. 69% without).
- AI Scribes: Within the UCR workstream, the use of the AI scribe reduced time spent on documentation, with some areas experiencing time savings of 15-20 minutes per patient. Note quality improved and the AI scribe also decreased administrative burden.
Conclusion:
This service initiative demonstrates the potential of combining remote assessment, continuous monitoring, and AI scribes to transform urgent community response for frailty enabling more efficient use of resources, improved patient outcomes, and enhancing note quality in the UCR workstream. This warrants further development.