Implementing a Virtual Discharge Nurse Pilot
Jennifer Ransford, Timothy Tidwell, Logan Johnson, Nicole Gitney, Anna Morgan, Rodney Hauch
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The virtual nurse (VN) pilot was developed to assist bedside nurses in administrative tasks, including discharges and education, from a remote location. BACKGROUND: Bedside nurse vacancies have increased, leading to a shortage of resources for the care team and less time for nurses to provide hands-on care to patients. METHODS: A survey showed 77% of nurses spend more than 3 hours per shift on admissions, discharges, and patient education. A pilot was conducted on a 45-bed unit with the VN focusing on discharges and patient education. RESULTS: During the pilot, the VN completed 1375 tasks, increasing patient and nurse satisfaction while reducing turnover and adverse events. CONCLUSION: With the program's early success, the VN role is expanding into additional units.