CHI Health St. Elizabeth officially launched its new Virtually Integrated Care (VIC) program Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the introduction of technology designed to give patients greater access to nursing care while reducing the administrative workload for bedside nurses.
Hospital leaders said the VIC model pairs on-site nurses with a dedicated team of virtual registered nurses who assist with patient admissions, discharges, education and other documentation-intensive tasks through secure audio and video technology.
Chief Nursing Officer Jenny Stachura said the program represents months of planning and a successful soft launch that has already demonstrated the benefits of the new care model.
“We are celebrating more than just a new system,” Stachura said. “We are celebrating a new way of caring.”
Stachura said the virtual nurses work alongside bedside staff, allowing nurses providing hands-on care to spend more time with patients while virtual team members handle many of the conversations and administrative responsibilities that accompany a hospital stay.
She said the technology also helps ensure patients remain informed throughout their care while providing clinicians with additional support.
Laura Barker, CHI Health’s System Director of Virtually Integrated Care, described the program as more than a technology upgrade.
“This isn’t just new technology—it’s a fundamental shift in care delivery,” Barker said. “We are redesigning care models, integrating VIC nurses into the care team and using virtual technology to deliver comprehensive care.”
According to Barker, the virtual care model is expected to improve communication with patients and families while helping reduce the workload on bedside staff. She said the anticipated benefits include improved patient outcomes, enhanced safety and a stronger learning environment for clinical teams.
Hospital leaders also recognized the nursing managers, department directors and system leaders who helped implement the program.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting, officially launching the Virtually Integrated Care program at CHI Health St. Elizabeth. Leaders said the new model represents a significant investment in technology and workflow designed to support both patients and caregivers as healthcare delivery continues to evolve.