Health systems are debating the future of virtual care technology and what expanding into other departments would look like in practice.
The 2025 HealthLeaders Virtual Nursing Mastermind program participants are meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss implementing virtual nursing programs and what the future of those programs will look like.
The program consists of CNOs and other nurse and technology leaders from influential health systems across the country who are all at various stages in their virtual nursing journeys, and who are innovating with new technologies and solutions.
The technology dilemma
Since last year's run of this Mastermind program, the participants have made great strides toward integrating virtual nursing into care delivery. However, it's clear that virtual care is expanding well beyond nursing, and other departments want in on the action.
One major issue that many of them are facing is the lack of consolidation of the technology being used in the workflows. With a vast array of technology options, it can be difficult to decide which ones will suit the needs of each nursing workforce and each patient population. Those decisions get even more difficult when factoring in the other disciplines who want to use the technology.
If other departments do begin leveraging the virtual care platforms, the question arises: Who gets priority?
The pros and cons
For many of the participants, virtual care tech largely lives within the nursing department, but there are many avenues that could be taken to incorporate use from other staff.
Expanding access to the tech could cause confusion around who gets to enter the patient's room at what time, and it could potentially conflict with the bedside nurse's time with the patient. This would also create a need to manage those interactions, which could potentially be solved by a queuing system based on priority.
The upside, however, is that shared access to virtual care technology would allow for more disciplines to take on tasks that are typically done by nurses. It could save time for nurses at the bedside and provide the patient with a higher quality of care.
There are still plenty of questions to be answered regarding the future virtual nursing, so stay tuned for more coverage.
The HealthLeaders Mastermind series is an exclusive series of calls and events with healthcare executives. This Virtual Nursing Mastermind series features ideas, solutions, and insights on accelerating your virtual nursing program. Please join the community at our LinkedIn page.
To inquire about participating in an upcoming Mastermind series or attending a HealthLeaders Exchange event, email us at exchange@healthleadersmedia.com.
G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
With a vast array of technology options, it can be difficult to decide which ones will suit the needs of each nursing workforce and each patient population.
Expanding access to the tech could cause confusion around who gets to enter the patient's room at what time, and it could potentially conflict with the bedside nurse's time with the patient.
Shared access to virtual care technology would allow for more disciplines to take on tasks that are typically done by nurses.