Providence Alaska Medical Center adopts innovative care model to address nurse shortage

New team-based nursing model of care utilizes virtual (remote) nurses to reduce caregiver burnout and enhance patient safety

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) recently launched a new care model designed to enhance patient safety and help address the nationwide nurse shortage.

 Known as co-caring/virtual nursing, the team-based model combines the skills of a bedside nurse with a virtual (remote) nurse and a dedicated patient care technician or a certified nursing assistant. The bedside nurse manages all direct patient-care duties, while the virtual nurse coordinates other support tasks that don’t require a bedside presence, such as discharge planning, medication management and patient education. The virtual nurses provide patient care via in-room audio and video technology.  

“With this care model, we have more caregivers supporting the care of each patient. We’re also relieving the bedside nurse of tasks that can be handled by the virtual nurse, freeing up the bedside nurse to focus on other patient needs,” said Carrie Peluso, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, chief nursing officer at PAMC. “We are embracing innovative technology to provide the best care possible while addressing the ongoing nurse shortage that is projected to continue for years to come.” 

According to a study by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Alaska is projected to lead the nation in nursing vacancies — with 23% of openings unfilled — by 2030. 

Virtual nurses working at PAMC must be licensed by the Alaska Board of Nursing. Nurses who provide care virtually also have the same job description and requirements as other nurses working in the unit. 

PAMC began using co-caring/virtual nursing on Oct. 8 in two patient care areas. This gradual approach is meant to give nurses time to become familiar with the team-based model. 

Although still relatively new at PAMC, virtual nurses are already making a positive impact in their units. Virtual nurses are connecting with patients’ family members to provide updates, helping patients order food from the hospital cafeteria and working with bedside nurses to prepare patients to leave the hospital. 

“We are still in the early stages of using co-caring and virtual nurses at Providence Alaska Medical Center, and we are already seeing positive results,” said Peluso. “As more senior nurses reach retirement and demand for health care services increase, we have to think outside the box to meet the needs of our community. Fortunately, Providence is investing in solutions to bridge the gap and provide Alaskans high-quality care close to home.” 

The team-based model of care has been implemented at other hospitals around the country, including treatment centers within the Providence family of organizations, most recently at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. 

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About Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence Alaska Medical Center, a nationally recognized trauma center and Alaska’s only Magnet hospital, is part of Providence, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information, visit providence.org/locations/ak/alaska-medical-center.