Baptist Memphis expands virtual nursing program

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A virtual nursing program introduced at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic is now a part of the nursing staff makeup at Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis.

The pilot program debuted in February after staff there received a nearly $800,000 grant from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation to support it.

Since then, close to 400 patients have visited the East Memphis location, having one-on-one interactions with 10 different virtual nurses working at a remote office.

“They are able to autonomously navigate from room to room, to help see patients, do admissions, discharges, patient-education and assist the nurses in any way they need assistance,” explained Virtual Services Program Manager, Meredith Palfrey.

The virtual nurses work 12-hour shifts, alongside other nurses staffed at Baptist Memphis.

“Nurses, at the bedside, have numerous responsibilities every day,” explained Nurse Shelby Holden. “Having something like this as a tool for us has been, I think, amazing for our patients and the care that they receive.”

The virtual nursing program is a pilot program only currently at Baptist Memphis, though hospital staff said they wouldn’t be surprised if other locations across the healthcare system adopt it.

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