We are currently witnessing another evolutionary leap in the realm of virtual nursing. As we continue to develop virtual nursing capabilities across the care continuum, from acute care to post-acute care and outpatient care, our virtual nursing care delivery models are becoming increasingly more robust and comprehensive. These slow but steady advancements are evident across various stages of patient care, including pre-hospital care, acute care, post-acute care, and home care settings such as hospital-at-home or post-hospital care. 

Expansion of the Virtual Care Team 

The growth of the virtual care team is a significant aspect of this evolution. One such growth area is the increased utilization of virtual, non-licensed personnel who provide essential support services, such as E-sitter services, patient rounding, and answering call lights. This expansion is vital in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. 

Respiratory Therapists on Virtual Care Teams

A notable addition to our virtual care team is the integration of virtual respiratory therapists (VRTs). These professionals provide critical monitoring and direct communication with respiratory therapists working in care units. The benefits of this role continue to grow and include: 

• Reducing accidental extubation 
• Expediting the weaning  

Role of Case Managers and Care Coordinators on a Virtual Care Team

Introducing virtual case managers (VCM) and virtual care coordinators (VCC) to work alongside virtual nurses demonstrates our commitment to improving patient outcomes, resource utilization, and care efficiency.

These roles support onsite care managers and the care team as they assist in moving patients through the care continuum, enhancing patient throughput. This support particularly benefits patients with complex needs or difficulty placing post-hospitalization. The virtual care coordinators can offload some of the more challenging work, allowing the onsite care coordinators to continue to manage onsite patients that may be less complex.  

Virtual Therapy Services 

The inclusion of virtual physical, occupational, and speech therapists exemplifies the collaborative nature of our virtual care team. These professionals are actively identifying ways to leverage their direct care counterparts, fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among our healthcare professionals.

Several companies are now dedicated to virtual therapy and rehabilitation services outside the hospital setting. This area will continue to grow across the continuum, from pre-hospital to hospital to post-hospital, all within the same service provider. 

Contributions of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians on a Virtual Care Team 

Virtual pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are crucial to our rapidly evolving virtual care team. They assist with a range of services, including: 

• Medication reconciliation at admission or discharge 
• Patient education and teaching 
• Providing virtual consults with providers and clinical staff 

Future of Virtual Nursing and Virtual Care

The virtual care team is poised for continuous growth, with virtual nursing as the pivotal role. Although we are still in the early stages of this evolution, virtual care is anticipated to become the norm within a couple of years.

The virtual care team isn’t intended to duplicate onsite and direct care team efforts but rather amplify them so that the entire process of providing patient care is safer, more accessible,  more cost-effective, and provides a better experience for the patient and caregiver alike.

As this model becomes the standard of care, healthcare professionals working in a virtual or remote capacity will no longer be viewed as an exception but as a fundamental aspect of patient care. This shift will redefine what is known as virtual care, simply becoming recognized as care. 

By understanding and embracing these developments, healthcare organizations can create effective, sustainable, and scalable virtual nursing programs that enhance patient care and operational efficiency.