Using Implementation Science to Evaluate a Virtual Nursing Care Model in a Medical and Surgical Acute Care Setting.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Nursing shortages and burnout necessitate innovative care delivery models.
• Virtual nursing, utilizing technology for remote patient care direction, is emerging in acute settings.
• Implementation science provides a framework for evaluating new healthcare interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation outcomes of a pilot virtual nursing model in a medical/surgical unit.
• To assess the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, fidelity, and feasibility of the virtual nursing model.
• To understand the impact of virtual nursing on patient care, workflow, and nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating observations and focus groups with virtual nurses.
• Surveys were administered to direct care staff, alongside quantitative analysis.
• Proctor's implementation outcomes framework guided the evaluation.

Main Results:

• Virtual nurses became integral team members, participating in admissions, discharges, education, monitoring, and mentoring.
• Both virtual nurses and bedside staff reported high satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the model.
• The virtual nursing model improved workflow and provided dedicated support for bedside nurses.

Conclusions:

• Integrating a team-based virtual care model can enhance nursing practice and address staffing challenges.
• Key learnings include the importance of standardizing training and fostering effective teamwork.
• The virtual nursing model demonstrated potential for creating meaningful roles and improving efficiency in acute care.