The effect of a virtual ward program on emergency services utilization and quality of life in frail elderly patients after discharge: a pilot study.

Introduction: Attendance at emergency departments and unplanned hospital readmissions are common for frail older patients after discharge from hospitals. A virtual ward service was piloted to deliver "hospital-at-home" services by community nurses and geriatricians to frail older patients immediately after their discharge from hospital to reduce emergency services utilization.

Objectives: This study examined the impacts of the virtual ward service on changes in the patients' emergency attendance and medical readmissions, and their quality of life (QOL).