Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health saw payoff from a virtual nursing pilot program that it ran at Abington (Pa.) Hospital from March to June, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sept. 11.
Through the program, remote nurses were able to work with a bedside nurse and handle administrative work. Hospital officials said the program was able to cut down on labor costs and help discharge patients quickly.
Based on the success of the program, Jefferson Health is launching a new pilot program that will give virtual nurses additional responsibilities, such as monitoring patients at risk of falls. Jefferson Chief Nursing Informatics Officer Colleen Mallozzi, RN, said the success of the first program helped create buy-in for the second program.
"This is one where there's not a lot of eye rolls, which is a good feeling," Ms. Mallozzi said.