At UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, we provide exceptional care using the latest advancements in medical technology.
One innovative way we are elevating your hospital experience is through virtual nursing—an additional layer of expert support to improve your care and comfort during your stay.
What is virtual nursing?
Virtual nurses are registered nurses who work at the hospital inside our virtual care center. They collaborate closely with your bedside care team to ensure a seamless experience while you are in the hospital.
Using advanced audio-video technology, virtual nurses are available at the push of a button to assist with many aspects of your care.
How can virtual nursing support you?
Virtual nurses provide a variety of services, including:
Admission support: When you arrive, a virtual nurse will assist with completing your admission paperwork, reviewing your medications and answering your questions.
Ongoing assistance: Virtual nurses are available to answer you and your loved ones’ questions—simply press the “Virtual” button on your remote pillow speaker and your virtual nurse will appear on your television screen.
Vital sign monitoring: Virtual nurses monitor your vital signs, laboratory results and medication orders to detect early signs of any changes in your condition.
Collaboration as part of your care team: Virtual nurses work closely with your doctor, surgeon, bedside nurses and other medical professionals to ensure you receive comfortable, effective, efficient care around the clock.
Discharge support: When it’s time for you to leave the hospital, your virtual nurse will help you understand your aftercare instructions, review your home medications, discuss follow-up appointments and answer any questions you or your loved ones may have.
Connecting with your virtual nurse
Your virtual nurse will check on you regularly throughout your stay. If they need to reach you, you’ll see a notification on your television with a countdown before they appear on the screen and start the video call. In emergencies, your virtual nurse can immediately connect with you through a video call.
Rest assured, you are never being recorded—our virtual nurses appear on your screen only when actively interacting with you, ensuring privacy and security.
Virtual nursing makes lives better
Virtual nursing provides patients with real-time, superior monitoring, reduces wait times for non-emergency needs, and allows bedside nurses to focus on in-person care. The additional layer of oversight virtual nurses provide can reduce errors, enhance quality of care and lead to better patient outcomes. Beyond improving patient experience, virtual nursing can also reduce nurse burnout and lead to higher staff retention.
At UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, our goal is to make your hospital stay smooth, safe and comfortable. We are proud to offer virtual nursing as an innovative extension of our commitment to providing high-quality, patient- and family-centered care.