Table 1.
Virtual care tools’ functions and features.
| Health service | Tool type | Short description | Hardware and software requirements | Location of potential or current patient |
| A | Screening app (members of the public) | App that issues the patient or visitor with a QR code after they identify themselves and respond to COVID screening questions | Internal: internet connectivity, accessed through smartphones or web portal | In hospital |
| A | Screening app (staff) | Web page form in which staff identify themselves and their workplace and answer COVID screening questions | Internal: internet connectivity, accessed through smartphones or web portal | In hospital |
| A | Home monitoring | Patient routing self-assessment and triage app | Internal: Microsoft Azure cloud data storage; external: audio recording of breathlessness, pulse oximeters. Internet connectivity: smartphone | Out of hospital |
| B | Home monitoring (digital) | Patient routing self-assessment and triage | Internal: Amazon Web Services using Australian cloud data storage; external: pulse oximeters, digital thermometers. Bluetooth capability and internet connectivity on smartphone or tablet computer | Out of hospital |
| B | Home monitoring (with manual option) | Patient monitoring at home using manual and electronic Excel forms for self-assessment | Internal: Amazon Web Services using Australian cloud data storage; Microsoft Excel; external: internet connectivity. Computer or tablet (to read and input into Excel) or print capability to manually enter form | In hospital and out of hospital |
| C | Screening app (members of the public) | App that issues the patient or visitor with a QR code after they identify themselves and respond to COVID screening questions | Internal: Local data servers; external: internet connectivity. Smartphone with basic functionality: web browser–enabled and/or text message receiving–enabled | In hospital and out of hospital |
| C | Home monitoring | Patient monitoring at home for self-assessment | Internal: Local data servers; external: pulse oximeters, tablet computers with internet connectivity, or smartphone with internet connectivity/text message receiving–enabled | Out of hospital |