March 8, 2024- According to HCA Healthcare, virtual nurses are becoming a “critical part of the modern care team” as the health system is now beginning trials of the model in more than 10 hospitals across nearly that many states.
The virtual nurses, who interact with patients on TV or tablet screens, typically help with administrative tasks, freeing up bedside nurses for more hands-on care.
HCA, the nation’s largest health system, said early results over the past two years have been positive, with bedside nurses reporting better workload balance and patients signaling their approval. HCA said it plans to continue to evaluate the program in the coming months and consider future expansions, according to Becker’s Hospital Review and HCA.