KDHS provides a Monitoring@Home service to COVID positive patients who are well enough to isolate at home. KDHS are supporting the Kyabram and district community from the time they test COVID positive until Day 10 when they are discharged.

The KDHS health care team monitor patients’ oxygen levels and temperature via a pulse oximeter and thermometer that is delivered to their home on commencement of monitoring. They receive daily or second daily phone calls to check in on well-being, monitoring for deterioration, and provide advice and support until Day 14 of their isolation.  Social support, such as shopping during isolation has been a large part of the monitoring program with social worker input and support required for more than 50% of cases.

Patients have access to KDHS Monitoring@Home staff daily from 8am-5pm and GV Health staff from 5pm-9pm if they require advice. If concerned about their health after 9pm they are advised to call 000.

The number of homes in the program is increasing with referrals managed by GV Health Public Health Unit and Monitoring program, as well as local cases being  identified by the test tracker system recently implemented by the KDHS Testing clinic. Similar programs are operating at most Victorian health services, with most reporting significant demand. General queries regards the KDHS Monitoring @home program can be requested via Andrea Windridge, COVID Response Coordinator on 0487 362 361 or AWINDRIDGE@kyhealth.org.au