UnityPoint Health’s Virtual Nursing Evolution
UnityPoint Health’s virtual nursing program has undergone significant transformation over the past year, driven by advancements in technology and a shift towards more centralized leadership. According to Stephanie Johnson, executive director of virtual care, the health system has moved from a decentralized, market-based model to a more streamlined structure with standardized workflows.
“Standardization of workflows is happening in parallel with the centralization,” Johnson explained. This change aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of virtual nursing services across the organization.
Expanding In-Room Technology
One of the key developments in UnityPoint’s virtual nursing program is the introduction of in-room technology. The health system is currently implementing this technology on a single unit as a proof of concept, with plans to scale it system-wide in the future.
“This is happening on a single unit as proof of concept, with the intent to scale the technology system-wide,” Johnson said. Currently, UnityPoint uses a separate vendor solution for their software platform, but Johnson anticipates increased collaboration with Epic as their service offerings continue to develop.
Measuring Success
To assess the impact of their virtual nursing program, UnityPoint uses a virtual nursing dashboard to track various quality and process measures. Johnson reported that some of the data, such as first-year turnover, is yielding the anticipated results.
The health system is still in the early stages of developing its strategy for using virtual nursing to address staffing challenges. Johnson noted that the future focus will be on a growth strategy that supports bedside and in-house nursing staff by exploring new opportunities across different care settings.
Future Directions
As UnityPoint looks to the future, there may be opportunities to integrate virtual nursing into care programs beyond the hospital setting. Johnson mentioned considering collaborations with bed placement and care coordination teams.
The progress made in virtual nursing has been noteworthy, with both nurse and patient adoption showing overwhelmingly positive reactions. “The patient and nursing adoption and satisfaction has been overwhelmingly positive once given the opportunity,” Johnson said.
UnityPoint’s experience is part of a broader trend in healthcare, where technology is opening new possibilities for care delivery. As health systems continue to innovate and scale their virtual nursing programs, the potential for improved patient outcomes and more efficient care delivery grows.
