TytoCare can take accurate readings of, for example, the ear, nose, and heart. It can be used by patients (guided by an app) or health professionals during virtual consultations.
TytoCare was piloted regionally, given its potential for use with ‘virtual wards’. Piloting was led by Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber (HIYH), and evaluation by the Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaboration (YHARC).
The adoption rate across sites and amongst health professionals was found to be modest. Of 19 sites that ‘signed-up’, 5 launched. And, only 26% of the trained health professionals used the device. Nonetheless, feedback suggested good acceptability (clear benefits), despite some pragmatic issues (e.g., broadband width reliance). Despite set-up costs, using TytoCare has potential to reduce costs associated with staff travel, ambulance call outs, and Emergency Department attendance.
YHARC supported HIYH in developing a series of blogs and resources to support virtual wards set-up: The power of remote monitoring and virtual care (healthinnovationyh.org.uk)
