Virtual Nursing Initiatives in an Urban Hospital System with a Flagship Academic Hospital and Seven Satellite Hospitals: A Discussion of Successful Interventions and Future Directions

Authors

  • Ngoc A. Nguyen, MD Medical Director Virtual Urgent Care and Physician Scientist for Center for Innovation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9683-6934
  • Brendan M. Holderread, MD Center for Innovation Clinical Research Fellow, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2833-0613
  • Sarah N. Pletcher, MD, MHCDS Chief Digital Health Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v9.530

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, nursing shortage, telehealth, tele-sitter, virtual intensive care unit, virtual nursing

Abstract

The implementation of virtual nursing enables remote support, reducing the workload of bedside nurses and enhancing patient care. Its use expanded in response to workforce shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since gained approval from both bedside staff and patients, while also helping to mitigate staff burnout. Virtual nursing interventions have been shown to improve patient safety and the quality of care. At our institution, virtual nursing is facilitated through an artificial intelligence-assisted care platform, delivered via mobile carts equipped with tablets or two-way wall-mounted cameras with audio and visual capabilities. This discussion will highlight virtual nursing initiatives across our academic flagship hospital and seven satellite hospitals, which commenced in June 2022, as well as our vision and goals for future expansion.

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References

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Published

2024-12-16

How to Cite

Ngoc-Anh Nguyen, MD, Brendan Holderread, & Sarah Pletcher, MD. (2024). Virtual Nursing Initiatives in an Urban Hospital System with a Flagship Academic Hospital and Seven Satellite Hospitals: A Discussion of Successful Interventions and Future Directions. Telehealth and Medicine Today, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v9.530

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 6 (2024): Telehealth and Medicine Today

Section

Editorial

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Ngoc-Anh Nguyen, MD, Brendan Holderread, Sarah Pletcher, MD

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to  Telehealth and Medicine Today (THMT).

THMT is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.