The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) introduced this service earlier this month. This initiative is an expansion of the VVED, which was established in 2020 to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
The new service, VVED Diabetes, offers free video consultations for people with diabetes experiencing urgent but non-life-threatening complications. The service, provided by diabetes nurse practitioners and emergency clinicians, is especially beneficial for those in regional and remote areas with limited access to urgent care.
Professor Elif Ekinci, Director of ACADI and a leading force behind the initiative, highlighted the urgency of this service. “Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic health condition in Australia, and individuals must constantly manage their blood sugar levels to prevent serious spikes or drops. The new virtual ED will provide immediate care, reducing health deterioration risks and bridging the city-country healthcare divide.”
VVED Clinical Director Loren Sher emphasized the service’s impact since its inception. “Since launching over three years ago, VVED has supported over 300,000 patients, preventing unnecessary hospital visits and freeing up beds for critically ill patients. A diabetes-specific service ensures timely and appropriate care for those with diabetes, avoiding lengthy ED waitlists.”
The second phase, set to launch later this year, will integrate Ambulance Victoria paramedics with the virtual clinic to test ketone levels in diabetic patients. Ketone level testing identifies diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication due to insulin deficiency. This assessment will determine whether patients can be safely managed at home.
Dr. Ben Nash, a Northern Health endocrinologist overseeing the virtual service, stated, “Equipping paramedics with ketone testing is a gamechanger. Currently, most hyperglycemia cases attended by paramedics result in hospital transport. Ketone testing allows for rapid management of diabetic ketoacidosis and identifies patients who can be safely treated at home.”
Professor Jane Gunn AO, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, remarked on the broader potential of this service. “Telehealth and video consultations have revolutionized clinical practice. This clinic exemplifies how collaboration between service providers and research institutions can create new care models for chronic conditions.”
The virtual diabetes ED’s clinical operations are funded by the Victorian Government, with research supported by a $915,823 grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council. Key partners, including the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Diabetes Victoria, will collaborate to extend this service to patients throughout Victoria.
