Loading...
Recommended Citation
Smith A, Valeika M. Virtual Nursing: An Innovative Approach to Support Bedside Nurses and Patient Care. Nurse-driven Innovations in Care Redesign and Delivery poster presentation at Elevating Nursing Excellence: Purpose, Profession, Passion; Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2024; November 13, 2024; virtual.
Presentation Notes
Nurse-driven Innovations in Care Redesign and Delivery poster presentation at Elevating Nursing Excellence: Purpose, Profession, Passion; Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2024; November 13, 2024; virtual.
Abstract
Introduction and Context
Virtual nursing has shown promise in healthcare by enhancing patient admission and discharge processes. Studies highlight that implementing virtual nursing roles increases patient and provider satisfaction while improving financial and quality care metrics. At a non-profit Midwestern hospital, nurses pinpointed workflow, throughput, and efficiency challenges particularly between the Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient units.
Implementation Strategy
Virtual RN (VRN) committees were established at local and regional levels and were instrumental in implementing and evaluating a pilot program. The committees conducted multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles refining the intervention, focusing on virtual nursing roles dedicated to admissions and discharges. A critical part involved assessing the need and availability of virtual nursing support, determined to be most critical between 0900-2100 Tuesdays-Thursdays—key periods of high patient influx. To streamline admission and discharge processes, the program utilized specially developed workflows.
Outcomes and Impact
Over 13 weeks, 64 patient admissions (n=64) and 169 discharges (n=169) occurred. Weekly admissions were stable, (1-6), with a notable peak of 17 (Week 20). In contrast, discharges were higher and more variable, peaking at 20 (Week 16), and seldom falling below 9. Admissions involved approximately 1,920 minutes (32 hours) of time, and discharges accounted for 5,070 minutes (about 84.5 hours), totaling 6,990 minutes, or approximately 116.5 hours of nurse time redirected back to bedside care. Processes were integrated into workflows, with feedback from bedside nurses on areas for improvement relayed back to the VRN team.
Insights
The virtual nursing initiative streamlined admissions and discharges, significantly boosting throughput and operational efficiency, while reallocating valuable nursing hours to direct patient care.
Implications
This project underscores the broader implications of integrating virtual nursing roles at Advocate Health, showcasing its scalability and potential for advancing innovative care delivery. Lessons learned include the importance of targeted deployment during peak times and the effectiveness of continuous feedback loops in refining processes.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-13-2024
Virtual Nursing: An Innovative Approach to Support Bedside Nurses and Patient Care
Introduction and Context
Virtual nursing has shown promise in healthcare by enhancing patient admission and discharge processes. Studies highlight that implementing virtual nursing roles increases patient and provider satisfaction while improving financial and quality care metrics. At a non-profit Midwestern hospital, nurses pinpointed workflow, throughput, and efficiency challenges particularly between the Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient units.
Implementation Strategy
Virtual RN (VRN) committees were established at local and regional levels and were instrumental in implementing and evaluating a pilot program. The committees conducted multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles refining the intervention, focusing on virtual nursing roles dedicated to admissions and discharges. A critical part involved assessing the need and availability of virtual nursing support, determined to be most critical between 0900-2100 Tuesdays-Thursdays—key periods of high patient influx. To streamline admission and discharge processes, the program utilized specially developed workflows.
Outcomes and Impact
Over 13 weeks, 64 patient admissions (n=64) and 169 discharges (n=169) occurred. Weekly admissions were stable, (1-6), with a notable peak of 17 (Week 20). In contrast, discharges were higher and more variable, peaking at 20 (Week 16), and seldom falling below 9. Admissions involved approximately 1,920 minutes (32 hours) of time, and discharges accounted for 5,070 minutes (about 84.5 hours), totaling 6,990 minutes, or approximately 116.5 hours of nurse time redirected back to bedside care. Processes were integrated into workflows, with feedback from bedside nurses on areas for improvement relayed back to the VRN team.
Insights
The virtual nursing initiative streamlined admissions and discharges, significantly boosting throughput and operational efficiency, while reallocating valuable nursing hours to direct patient care.
Implications
This project underscores the broader implications of integrating virtual nursing roles at Advocate Health, showcasing its scalability and potential for advancing innovative care delivery. Lessons learned include the importance of targeted deployment during peak times and the effectiveness of continuous feedback loops in refining processes.