Work System Barriers and Strategies Reported by Tele-Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Informatics
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Tele-intensive care units (tele-ICUs) are emerging solutions to critical care staffing shortages and quality improvement.
• These units involve remote clinical teams supporting multiple ICUs, forming virtual teams with on-site staff.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the functioning and challenges of these virtual tele-ICU teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the challenges faced by nurses working in a tele-ICU setting.
• To explore the perspectives of tele-ICU nurses regarding their interactions with monitored ICUs.
• To identify coping strategies developed by tele-ICU nurses.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative case study design was employed.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 tele-ICU nurses.
• The study focused on the experiences and challenges of tele-ICU nursing staff.

Main Results:

• Tele-ICU nurses reported significant challenges in collaborating with multiple, remotely monitored ICUs.
• Specific difficulties were identified in communication and coordination across different hospital units.
• Nurses have proactively developed and implemented strategies to manage these operational challenges.

Conclusions:

• Tele-ICU nurses encounter distinct challenges related to remote interaction and coordination.
• The findings highlight the need for targeted support and system improvements for tele-ICU operations.
• Understanding these challenges is crucial for optimizing the effectiveness and sustainability of tele-ICU models.