Advances in technology have revolutionized the way local health care facilities operate by improving the process of diagnosing and connecting with patients. One of the most recent developments in this area is the implementation of virtual care programs in hospitals. CoxHealth Chief Nursing Information Officer Summer Blackerby has shared that their virtual nursing program began its pilot phase in June of 2022 and has already shown positive outcomes.
The primary goal of the virtual nursing program at CoxHealth is to enhance the workflow for clinicians, allowing them to spend more quality time with patients by utilizing technology to facilitate this interaction. Blackerby emphasizes that the focus is on supporting staff members and ensuring that patients receive a high level of care. The initial results of the program have been promising, with significant improvements being observed from the outset.
At CoxHealth’s onsite virtual care center, nurses have the ability to virtually enter a patient’s hospital room via a screen and engage in conversations with patients who have consented to video interactions. Furthermore, they can continuously monitor vital signs, lab work, and various trends specific to each patient. The artificial intelligence (AI) utilized in the virtual care program plays a crucial role in analyzing this information rapidly and directing virtual nurses and the command center to patients who may require immediate attention.
Blackerby believes that this technology is transforming the way care is delivered by providing timely and accurate information to healthcare professionals, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly. The implementation of virtual care at CoxHealth is just one example of how technology is reshaping the healthcare industry and improving patient outcomes.