Virtual Connected Care

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is changing the way we deliver care. We are innovating to provide the best care experience to our patients and their loved ones. Select units at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital are now using a team-based care model called Virtual Connected Care™ that improves patient experience while also providing our nurses with additional mentorship and support.

In the Virtual Connected Care model, patients are cared for by a three-person team that includes two direct-care nurses—one virtual and one at the bedside—as well as a nursing partner in care. At the click of a button, patients can connect with their virtual nurse, who is a Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital employee located onsite.

This new care model directly benefits our patients, their families and loved ones, our nurses and colleagues, and our communities.

A transformational care model that starts with a three-person team:

Direct Care RN

Provides direct patient care support at the bedside. This role provides traditional bedside nursing care, giving colleagues valuable experience, more time with patients and families and on-demand support from the entire care team. Nurses beginning their career benefit from support and mentoring from our experienced virtual RNs.

Care Partner (NA, CAN or LPN/LVN)

Partners with bedside RN and virtual RN to provide exceptional care for patients. This role is an important part of our innovative care model and provides a path to career advancement for colleagues.

Virtual RN

A key part of our innovative care model, the vRN uses technology to support direct care staff and increase patient interaction. The vRN brings expertise to perform detailed examinations and coordinate complex care. This is an ideal position for experienced RNs who want to mentor and support direct care nursing, while enjoying a less physically demanding role. Virtual RNs are local Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital colleagues who work onsite.

Nursing duties of the onsite Virtual RN include but are not limited to:

• Virtual safety rounds
• Detailed physical examinations using technology
• Responding to patient calls
• Patient education
• Collaboration on discharge planning with the case management staff

Qualifications of a Virtual RN:

• Active RN license and a minimum of eight years of experience as an RN.
• Experience must include adult acute care and working with an electronic health record.
• Ability to work in a virtual nurse hub within the hospital.
• The vRN communicates with the bedside team through the phone system, secure messaging and use of the call light system when in a room.