The Manitoba government says it is expanding its Virtual Medicine Ward program at several Winnipeg hospitals to support more patients recovering at home and reduce pressure on emergency rooms.
Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the program, which began as a pandemic response model, is now becoming a standard option for patients who are stable enough to be treated from home.
“The Virtual Medicine Ward is an innovative model based on the clinical principle that, for some patients, being at home means a faster and more fulsome recovery than being in hospital,” said Asagwara in a government news release. “Continuing its expansion means the appropriate patients can recover at home while our hospitals focus on higher-acuity care.”
The province says the program is part of its broader strategy to reduce emergency department wait times and improve patient flow. Since launching its phased expansion in September, the government claims the program has freed up over 90 hospital bed days and currently supports up to 30 patients at a time, equivalent to 30 acute-care beds.
Patients typically remain in the program for four to nine days, with only a small number needing to return to hospital, according to the province.
The Virtual Medicine Ward offers remote clinical oversight for patients with mild to moderate illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. Patients receive daily virtual check-ins from nurses and physicians, remote monitoring through tablets and medical devices, and in-home supports such as IV therapy or oxygen if needed.
Emergency paramedics from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service are available to assist with in-home assessments and escalations overnight. The program currently accepts referrals from emergency departments, urgent care centres, and internal medicine units.
Vincente Dado, a recent patient, described the experience as positive and convenient.
“The service was really good. I was checked in on and supported every day,” Dado said. “It was more convenient and efficient than staying in the hospital. The staff and doctors were great, and being able to recover at home helped me feel more comfortable.”
The province says Shared Health has hired four nurses to support the expansion and is working to fill additional positions. Referrals have already come from Grace Hospital, Concordia Hospital, St. Boniface Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, with plans underway to include Victoria Hospital.
The program operates daily, with virtual staff available from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and paramedics covering overnight hours. Patients are discharged with necessary medical equipment, including thermometers, pulse oximeters or blood pressure monitors.
The initiative is part of Manitoba’s Lower Wait Time and System Improvement Team strategy, which also includes physician support for Health Links-Info Santé triage, seven-day discharge planning, and expanded community care options.
