Posted on September 25, 2024
TidalHealth today announced a new pilot project at its Seaford and Salisbury hospitals to enhance the healthcare experience by expanding its care team through revolutionary virtual nursing.
“It’s our priority to ensure that our patients have the best possible experience, while keeping them safe and informed during their stay,” said Angela Brittingham, DNP, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer. “The goal of virtual nursing is to complement the bedside nurse by having someone who can check on the patient during change of shift, discuss medication history, provide admission assistance and discharge teaching to allow the patient’s primary nurse more time to focus on hands-on care.”
The virtual nurse, who is an experienced registered nurse in a remote location of the hospital and employed by TidalHealth, will be using the television in a patient’s room (similar to FaceTime or Zoom) to communicate with them in a HIPPA-compliant and safe environment. He or she will ask permission before “entering” the room via the camera/television. The patient can request them to come back later. The camera will remain off when not in use. Video is never recorded, and photos are never taken.
The Virtual Nursing pilot program began Sept. 25 on two of TidalHealth's inpatient units: 5 South (orthopedics and neurology) at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and the Medical Surgical Unit (MSU) on the TidalHealth Nanticoke campus.
Virtual nursing will be in use on the test areas from 9 am to 11 pm daily. Based on the success of the pilot project, the plan is to strategically expand the service to other patient care areas in TidalHealth hospitals.