We are thrilled to be the first health system in the Willamette Valley — and one of the first in Oregon — to bring virtual nursing to the bedside.
A Salem Health RN will use digital technology (like a video camera and monitor) to deliver the same high quality of care patients have come to expect from us — just remotely, and only in certain areas to start.
Two of our medical/surgical units, A3E and A5E, begin Monday, Nov. 18. During the first two months, we will validate virtual nurse workflows in collaboration with our clinical team. Next, we’ll evaluate which departments will have virtual nurses added to their team.
Nope, virtual nursing won’t replace in-person, in-room nursing — that will continue. Rest assured, every patient will still have an on-site RN. The virtual RN will be an employee of Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics — not outsourced staff and not artificial intelligence. The virtual RN will support and compliment the primary on-site RN and be part of the care team.
The patient will have a new, larger TV screen than many rooms have now. And there will be dual cameras mounted on the wall above the screen. No robots. (Sorry, Hal.)
Never. Virtual nursing is interactive and supportive for the patient, never invasive. Cameras will only activate during specific interactions, ensuring privacy when not in use. An icon will appear on the patient’s TV screen to let them know when the camera is “on” and they’ll see their virtual nurse on screen, too. When not in use, the camera has an automatic, physical lens cover that will slide into place, preserving privacy. The camera can’t record. For even greater peace of mind, the camera will physically turn away from the patient to face the wall. These safeguards help fulfill our tenet of Respect for People and help us deliver Care with Respect.
Virtual nursing has been proven to enhance the patient experience, improve quality and reduce nursing burden. As technology has expanded, we are excited to test this innovation for our patients and our teams!
Virtual nursing enhances patient safety, care and health outcomes. For example, discharge is a very important time nurses spend with patients. However, in person, these events are often interrupted. By having a virtual nurse, patients can receive uninterrupted focus from an RN who is solely focused on them during this important time. Virtual nursing also allows continuous monitoring of several patients at a time. It will also enhance patient engagement by providing timely education, support and communication — all paramount to improving health outcomes.
“I see this as a big win for our patients, to have someone who is solely focused on these processes with them.” — Theresa Johnson, RN, nursing director
Yes! For example, in the future, a patient’s call button will be the main way they’ll interact with their virtual nurse. When a patient pushes their call button, they won’t have to wait for their on-site nurse to appear — a virtual nurse will be able to answer and address their need promptly. Examples of non-physical needs a virtual nurse may be able to attend to are: A patient calling to inquire the next time they can have pain medication, or if they need to get their blood sugar checked before ordering dinner. The opportunities to help patients with their questions and concerns as a virtual nurse are endless!
Virtual nursing increases time-management for on-site staff. For example, our virtual nursing program enhances the discharge process by allowing virtual nurses to focus solely on the patient during discharge education. They prepare discharge paperwork and present after-visit instructions without interruptions, ensuring patients fully understand their care plans. This dedicated interaction improves patient engagement and supports better health outcomes. By taking on these tasks, virtual nurses free up on-site staff to manage other critical patient needs, reducing stress and improving efficiency. They also help retain experienced nurses by offering a flexible way to continue caring for patients and serve as mentors for newer team members, strengthening the entire care team. Together, virtual and on-site nurses ensure every patient receives uninterrupted, high-quality care.
“Over time, the demands of bedside care can take a toll on nurses. Virtual nursing plays a key role in improving retention, especially among experienced nurses.” — Benjamin Burlison, RN, nurse manager for innovation and virtual nursing
At Salem Health, we strive to stay on the forefront of technology and innovation. Virtual nursing has been used across the nation. It is relatively new in our region, and we’re excited to implement a program that helps our nursing teams stay ahead of the curve.
The first phase of the virtual nursing program will start in two of our medical/surgical units. In the future, it may include our emergency department, cardiovascular care unit and all inpatient areas at both Salem and West Valley hospitals.
Our goal is to improve quality, patient experience, patient flow and efficiency — all things we know help our nurses provide care. We’ll start with assisting with discharges, followed shortly by supporting some break and meal periods.
Future phases will expand the roles of virtual nurses to include tasks like supporting two-nurse signoffs (required for some medications), assisting with admissions, patient rounding and other duties triggered by clinical needs.
As we work together to reimagine health care, the potential for virtual nursing is vast. We’re excited to see how the creativity and innovation of our teams, both virtual and on-site, not only improve the health and well-being of our in-person, on-site teams, but the people and communities we serve.
Contact Benjamin Burlison, RN, nurse manager for innovation and virtual nursing.