Virtua Health has introduced a new virtual care program across its hospitals, positioning itself as among the first health systems in the Philadelphia region to adopt “smart” hospital-room technology.
The initiative – in partnership with an AI platform – enables patients to consult with virtual medical experts via two-way cameras. The health system previewed the technology at Virtua Voorhees Hospital on Dec. 9, when a live demonstration showcased a virtual care coordinator explaining the Care After Discharge Program to a patient via the platform, known as care.ai.
“Virtual care reflects the health system’s commitment to innovate and evolve in support of outstanding patient experiences,” said Dr. John Matsinger, executive vice president and COO of Virtua. “We are excited to be among the first to embrace this emerging care-delivery model. In time, this technology will be the standard for the industry.”
Care.ai’s system integrates AI and ambient monitoring to create secure in-room cameras and sensors. Patients can interact with the care coordinators, who provide support such as documenting medical history, offering health education and remotely monitoring vital signs. The technology also allows family members to join virtual medical conversations.
“Imagine an older patient whose adult child lives in a different state or can’t be physically present,” explained Michael Capriotti, Virtua’s senior vice president of integration and strategic operations. “We can now invite that loved one ‘into the room,’ allowing them to see, hear and participate in the exchange between their parent and the caregiver.
“Everyone benefits.”
Virtua Willingboro was the first hospital to implement the care.ai system in April, followed by phased rollouts in Voorhees and at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden. By the end of 2025, more than 1,000 inpatient beds across five Virtua hospitals will be equipped with the system.
The virtual care programs include virtual nurses who support bedside staff by handling non-physical tasks such as documentation and patient education; virtual doctors to offer specialized care remotely; and the coordinators, who also help patients transition smoothly from hospital to home while reducing re-admissions.
The introduction of virtual roles complements the existing staff and also creates new career opportunities, according to Virtua.
“The virtual team members take on tasks like data entry and paperwork so that bedside doctors and nurses have more time with patients and more opportunities to provide compassionate, hands-on care,” Matsinger emphasized.
Catherine Hughes, senior vice president and chief nursing executive for Virtua, pointed out the technology’s expected impact on work-force development.
“At a time when nurses and doctors are in high demand and experts anticipate an industry shortage,” she said, “we can stand apart by offering diverse roles that reflect different strengths, personalities and preferences.”
For more information about Virtua’s virtual care programs, visit Virtua.org.
