Inpatient Virtual Nursing
Akron Children’s has expanded the care team on several of our inpatient units to include a virtual nurse. The virtual nurse provides a new layer of care and communication to enhance patient safety and support the compassionate, high-quality, hands-on care provided by our bedside nurses.
What is a virtual nurse?
The virtual nurse is part of our care team and works collaboratively with your bedside nurse to provide care. The virtual nurse is an experienced Akron Children’s nurse, familiar with our patients and their conditions.
How does it work?
Similar to a FaceTime or Zoom call, a virtual nurse can check in with patients and monitor their well-being using the in-room TV and wall-mounted camera. The technology allows for virtual monitoring to enhance patient safety. The camera also uses sensors to recognize patterns and movements to alert your virtual nurse when help may be needed, such as getting out of bed if the patient is at risk of falling.
What does a virtual nurse do?
Virtual and bedside nurses work together on:
- Admission/discharge
- Care coordination
- Education and communication
- Fall prevention and detection
- Medication management
- Patient safety monitoring
When is the virtual nurse available?
The virtual nurse is available on several of our inpatient units from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.
How do I know when the virtual nurse has joined the room?
The virtual nurse monitors patient rooms from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. for patient safety. The camera will be pointed toward the patient and the green light will be on while the patient room is being monitored.
When your virtual nurse connects to your room, the TV screen will turn blue, a chime will sound, and the nurse’s name will appear on the screen. The nurse will introduce themselves and begin their virtual visit with you.
The camera is pointed up at the ceiling when the room is not monitored by a virtual nurse.
Can I join a call with the virtual nurse if I’m not in the patient’s room?
Yes, the virtual nurse can add family members and staff members to a call by sending them a link to join via text message or email. The link is only active during the call and expires when the visit has ended.
How can I contact the virtual nurse during my stay?
Press the call button on your bedside remote and ask the staff to contact the virtual nurse.
How does this enhance patient safety?
This technology allows for virtual monitoring to provide an extra level of care and safety for our patients during their stay. The virtual nurse can monitor for common safety risks including safe sleep and fall detection and prevention. The camera in your room also uses sensors to recognize patterns and movements to alert your virtual nurse when help may be needed, such as getting out of bed if the patient is at risk of falling.
How does this impact patient privacy?
Your privacy is important to us. Rest assured, we do not record or store video, photo or audio files.
