PRESS RELEASE
HEALTH TEAM OF NIAGARA, ONTARIO
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ST. CATHERINES – Niagara residents with a chronic illness and their care partners have access to a specially trained nurse to help them manage their symptoms and daily well-being in the comfort of their home.

The Virtual Care Monitoring (VCM) program, a NOHTÉSON initiative led by Hospice Niagara, allows patients to report their symptoms in a weekly health questionnaire. A trained nurse then reviews the questionnaire and follows up with the person for further details if needed. The nurse may also contact the patient’s doctor or family or connect them with community services that can best support the person’s needs.

“Whether it is cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or another progressive, life-limiting illness, we know that a palliative care approach at the onset of the disease or at hospital discharge can improve the health and quality of life of patients and their families,” said Sue Shipley, senior director of clinical services at Hospice Niagara.

“The Virtual Care Monitoring program also means the patient has their own trained nurse on the team who can respond to the person’s symptoms before a crisis occurs. Depending on the issue, the nurse can assist the person with a phone call and the most appropriate health resource, including their doctor or primary care team.”

Benefits of the program include greater patient engagement in their own health journey, better access to health resources, and potential avoidance of emergency department visits.

As part of the program, the person is provided with a tablet to use at home or they can use their own mobile device. There is also support in setting up and using the virtual care monitoring technology. The program is offered free of charge.

“The knowledge and medical expertise of the registered nurse who helped me navigate the healthcare system and guided me proved invaluable,” says Andrea Atack, whose father, James, was frequently hospitalized for symptoms of heart failure before enrolling in the program.

“The nurse is closely monitoring my father’s situation and staying in touch with my father and me. Our primary care physician is contacted if medication needs to be adjusted or a phone call or visit is required. For my father and me, this is one of the biggest benefits of the program.”

Primary care teams and physicians can refer their patients to the VCM program. Alternatively, patients can self-enroll by visiting www.hospiceniagara.ca/virtual-care-monitoring or calling 289-969-7307.

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