Virtual nursing increases patient, nurse satisfaction at TriStar Skyline

As part of HCA Healthcare, TriStar Skyline is serving as a pilot location for virtual nursing. This technology is providing new resources that help nurses provide the best possible care for patients while improving both the nurse and patient experience.

This care model allows a remotely located virtual nurse to complete admission health and medication history, discharge teaching and other administrative work to provide bedside nurses more hands-on time with patients. This allows nurses to better balance their workload and give patients more focused attention.

“As a bedside nurse, virtual care has been a game-changer for me,” shared Rachel Taylor, registered nurse at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. “Virtual nurses handle administrative tasks that take significant time but don’t require hands-on care. This improves workflow of our entire unit, while ensuring patients are fully informed about the care they have received as well as home care, medications and more. I think it’s amazing we’re leveraging virtual technology to improve care and the bedside nurse experience at HCA Healthcare.”

Virtual nursing allows experienced, fully licensed nurses to provide expertise during the admission and discharge process via remote video conferencing. It is similar to telehealth and provides real-time, two-way communication between the patient and healthcare provider through a wall-mounted television screen or a tablet near the patient bed. Nurses first check with patients to ensure they are willing and able to participate in virtual care, and they are introduced to their virtual nurse like any other member of the care team.

“New admissions can take up to 45 minutes, so having this time available to complete patient care is so helpful and makes me feel more satisfied with the job I am doing,” said Taylor. “When you have more time in your day, you are able to get to know the patient better and provide that personal interaction, which means the patient is more satisfied with the level of care they are receiving.”

At TriStar Skyline, patient satisfaction has increased due to the pilot program. Bedside nurses have expressed that virtual nursing helps them have a better-balanced workload. It has been a positive experience for care teams and patients.