Trinity Health Revolutionizes Nursing Practice Through Virtual Connected Care

Pilots showing care delivery model making inroads into the challenges posed by the workforce crisis and increasing engagement at the same time.

Addressing the nursing workforce crisis remains a critical challenge for health systems, with a predicted shortage of 0 million nurses worldwide by 2030. Trinity Health, one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health systems, is rolling out a first-of-its-kind care delivery model to address these challenges, improve care delivery, increase job satisfaction and create career pathways for nurses at any stage of their career. By the end of September, the model will be operational in 38 nursing units in Trinity Health hospitals across eight states.

Trinity Health Virtual Connected Care^TM is a true team approach to patient-centered care and uses technology to support direct care staff and increase patient interaction. Patients receiving care through this delivery model can expect to be treated by a direct care registered nurse, an on-site nursing assistant or LPN, and a registered nurse who remotes into the patient's room virtually. The team functions as a cohesive and highly connected unit to deliver comprehensive care. The virtual nurses are located on local campuses as opposed to an off-site call center and have access to complete medical records and even the ability to perform detailed examinations via advanced camera technology. The presence of an experienced virtual nurse provides invaluable mentoring and support to the direct care nurses, especially those who are new graduates.

"Nursing resources are scarce and will only get worse. We needed to act swiftly. The workforce shortage has crippled the traditional model of hospital nursing, which is no longer optimal in some environments," said Gay Landstrom, Ph.D., RN, chief nursing officer. "Our innovative care delivery model supports nurses doing what they love most, working at the top of their license to provide excellent professional care to their patients."

The model serves as a key market differentiator that addresses the nursing workforce crisis head-on. Moreover, it accommodates caregivers at various stages of their careers, providing a stable and predictable working environment and helping to build a strong pipeline of caregivers to meet future health care needs.

"We recognize the imperative need for novel solutions, and we are taking a bold step toward revolutionizing nursing practice," said Murielle Beene, DNP, RN-BC, FAAN, SVP and chief health-informatics officer. "This model not only confronts the imminent challenges we face as clinicians, through creativity and ingenuity but also enhances care delivery and bolsters job satisfaction -paving the way for the nurses of tomorrow. It is truly a pioneering strategy with a veritable team care model that will help us inspire a new era of nursing excellence."

Published on : 14th September, 2023