Virtual Nurse Visits

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in elective total joint replacement (TJR) orthopedic patients receiving discharge instructions from a Virtual Nurse Visit (VNV) compared to a bedside nurse. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group was utilized, using a convenience sample of elective TJR patients. A total of 111 participants were included in the study, with 40% (n=44) receiving discharge instructions from virtual nurses and 60% (n=67) receiving instructions from bedside nurses. The average age of participants was 65 years old, with those receiving discharge instructions from virtual nurses averaging 63 years and receiving instructions from bedside nurses averaging 66 years. Mean satisfaction score for virtual nurses was slightly higher (M = 4.88, SD = 0.41) compared to bedside nurses (M = 4.55, SD = 0.81), with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.39). No statistically significant differences were found in overall patient satisfaction between virtual nurses and bedside nurses providing discharge instructions (t (49) = 1.28, p = .205) indicating that both modes of instructions provided to patients were sufficient. Less than 1% of patients experienced a post-discharge 30-day ED visit, with no significant differences between groups receiving discharge instructions from virtual nurses or bedside nurses. Virtual nurses are a valuable addition to the healthcare team, enhancing patient satisfaction and optimizing nursing workflows during critical transitions of care. The consistency in satisfaction across demographic groups indicates that virtual nursing may offer an equitable approach to discharge education delivery.