Episode Overview

Podcast: Advancing Health
Episode: Virtual Nursing in Action: Technology That Gives Nurses More Time
Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Elisa Aresfaguachaga, AHA's Group Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Workforce
Guest: Wendy Kim, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Henry Ford Health’s Central Market

This episode delves into Henry Ford Health’s innovative approach to virtual nursing—leveraging technology to support bedside nurses, enhance patient care, and combat workforce shortages. The discussion covers program development, technology adoption (including AI and ambient monitoring), successes, challenges, and practical advice for other healthcare leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Program Genesis: Addressing Workforce Burnout and Retention

• The virtual nursing program was developed in response to labor shortages and nurse burnout post-pandemic.
• The aim was to "complement the bedside nurse, not replace them" (Wendy Kim, [01:31]), focusing on:
  • Retention and recruitment of nursing staff.
  • Reducing administrative burdens.
  • Supporting bedside teams by freeing up time for patient care.
• Early discussions involved front-line nurses to pinpoint areas where virtual support could ease their workload.

2. Implementing Virtual Nursing in a Rural Setting

• Initial pilot at Jackson, a more rural location and Level II trauma center.
• Challenges weren’t unique to rural areas but centered on change management and aligning workflows with nursing expectations ([02:29]).
  • Engaged front-line teams from outset to ensure technology matched real needs.
  • Emphasized a history of innovation and leveraging new technology to drive nursing excellence.

3. Workflow: Engagement, Buy-In, and Iterative Development

• Nurses’ first reactions: Skepticism, preferring more bedside staff ([04:33]).

• Success came from:

  • Direct involvement of bedside nurses in design and rollout.
  • Using practicing bedside nurses as initial virtual nurses to work through real issues, creating ownership.
  • Regular weekly check-ins made the process iterative and responsive.

  Notable Quote:

  "We started with them, we started with the bedside, tell us what you want. ... We use them as the virtual nurse... working through the kinks and the problems."
  – Wendy Kim, [04:33]

• The approach fostered strong buy-in:

  "It was their program. It wasn't yours anymore."
  – Elisa Aresfaguachaga, [05:59]

4. Technology: Capabilities and Early Results

• Launched housewide in September with 220 cameras (total of 325 beds, excluding ICU as of now) ([06:27]).

• Continual learning about potential: AI, ambient LIDAR, and ambient listening are the next steps.

  • LIDAR can scan rooms for movement, aiding in fall prevention.
  • Ambient listening and scribe technology envisioned to reduce data documentation burden.

  Notable Quote:

  "We're just beginning, and we haven't tapped into all its potential."
  – Wendy Kim, [07:32]

Early Outcomes:

• Significant reduction in patient falls and falls with severe injury (no severe injuries in the past 3 months).
• Improved care coordination, especially involving families virtually at key moments like discharge.
• Enhanced patient communication and education, guided by follow-up callbacks and data.

5. Surprises and Lessons Learned

• No major negative surprises; instead, a positive shift in staff attitudes as time savings and quality improvements became visible.

  Notable Quote:

  "The uplift is what I guess is so surprising and really enjoyable to watch as these nurses continue to modify and change."
  – Wendy Kim, [09:04]

• Recruitment for virtual nurse roles was easy; the hybrid model allowed nurses to rotate between bedside and virtual positions, offering variety and respite.

6. Advice for Other Organizations

• Evaluate existing systems and technology for interoperability.

• Vendor engagement is essential for success.

• Most importantly, deeply involve all stakeholders: bedside nurses, providers, and even the broader community, with thorough and ongoing education.

  Notable Quote:

  "When it gets down to the teams and getting this implemented, it's just working directly with those that are going to be impacted. ... So you have to spend some time on making sure that you educated everyone."
  – Wendy Kim, [11:08]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Nurse Engagement:
  "We use them as the virtual nurse... working through the kinks and the problems to, you know, identify, oh, this is working or this isn't working, I think we should do it this way. That's where the buy-in came from."
  — Wendy Kim, [04:33]

• Technology’s Potential:
  "Yes, there's this ambient LIDAR technology and that's our next... It has a way of scanning the room... There's also technology about ambient listening... It's kind of like the scribes we use. Right? But this will be our scribe and then we can go into the record and validate it."
  — Wendy Kim, [06:27]

• Impactful Outcomes:
  "In fact, the last three months we've not had severe injury at all. So once we introduce this LIDAR technology, I think even falls in general will be reduced. So very exciting."
  — Wendy Kim, [07:36]

• Advice to Peers:
  "Evaluate all the technology, all the possibilities... Look at the interoperability. ... When it gets down to the teams and getting this implemented, it's just working directly with those that are going to be impacted."
  — Wendy Kim, [11:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Background: [00:01] – [01:31]
• Program Vision & Rural Implementation: [01:31] – [04:06]
• Team Engagement & Iterative Rollout: [04:06] – [05:59]
• Tech Integration & Early Outcomes: [06:05] – [09:04]
• Surprises, Lessons, and Hybrid Teamwork: [09:04] – [10:53]
• Advice for Other Organizations: [11:08] – [12:01]

Summary

Henry Ford Health’s approach to virtual nursing is defined by deep frontline engagement, iterative development, and a focus on technology as a support (not a replacement) for bedside nurses. Early results show promise in improving patient safety, staff satisfaction, and enabling innovative care coordination. Key advice: involve end users at every step, ensure technology fits organizational needs, and prioritize communication and education for all stakeholders.