CHI Health St. Francis adds extra layer of care to support bedside nurses–June 2 

irtual Integrated Care was officially introduced at St. Francis during a staff ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. Currently, the new technology is active in the Medical/Surgical and Progressive Care Units, with connectivity available in the Intensive Care Unit. Pictured (L to R) are nurses Cari Taylor, Kylie Grzywa, Kalee Gustafson, Brooke Schmitt, Ashley Hermesch, and Meghann Kowalski, alongside Claire Jackman and Emily Dempsey appearing on screen, all of whom played key roles in the launch.

Grand Island, Nebraska–CHI Health St. Francis introduced an extra layer of patient care today. The initiative further strengthens the hospital’s standing as a Magnet with Distinction organization, an international benchmark for providing the highest and most elite nursing excellence and safety.

Virtually Integrated CareSM (VIC), an organizational response to the national nursing shortage, adds virtual nursing to assist bedside nurses at St. Francis. The innovative approach is designed to meet the evolving needs of both the hospital and its patients while supporting onsite caregivers and helping to attract and retain nursing staff.

“The nursing profession faced significant staffing challenges even prior to the pandemic, and we are now focused on preventing burnout across the country,” says Kiley Grzywa, RN, vice president, patient care. “This program is absolutely not intended to replace any of our bedside nurses at St. Francis; rather, it provides them with vital backup.”

The new care model uses video conferencing and specialized hardware in select patient rooms allowing virtual nurses to collaborate seamlessly with bedside colleagues. Secure and designed for patient privacy, the Virtual Care Delivery Platform (VCDP) provides a user-friendly, touchscreen-based computer interface for staff and patient interactions.

“Just as our bedside nurses at St. Francis knock before entering, the virtual nurse will ring and request permission before activating the camera,” says Grzywa. “We want our patients to feel confident that the camera is only in use when they have given their consent.”

Virtual nurses will support the bedside care team at St. Francis by handling routine interactions, patient and family communication, education and discharge planning—critical for shorter hospital stays.

“Providing our community with the safest and highest quality care is our top priority,” says Grzywa. “By helping with certain routine responsibilities, VIC allows our bedside nurses to focus on providing hands-on medical intervention and direct patient care.”