In this issue: Opportunities exist for health care systems to utilize virtual care platforms to help improve quality of patient care. Authors provide an overview of a new model of care delivery through the use of a virtual discharge (VDC) protocol between bedside nurses and a virtual nurse team. Using telehealth technology, virtual nurses delivered remote discharge education to patients on a 30-bed orthopedic unit, providing 269 VDC sessions and over 100 hours of discharge education. Patient satisfaction communication scores improved significantly and patients maintained a low 7-day readmission rate.
A team implemented an evidence-based peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) care bundle and decision making algorithm to reduce PIV dwell time, phlebitis, and other complication. Results showed a significant reduction in PIV dwell time from 3.6 to 2.9 days (p<.001) and phlebitis decreasing from 14.8% to 4.9% (p<.05).
Staci S. Reynolds, Editor