Virtual care has evolved far beyond video visits. Today, health systems are operationalizing virtual workflows across inpatient environments to improve safety, support stretched care teams, and deliver more consistent, scalable care. From routine bedside tasks to high-acuity clinical interventions, these connected care programs are designed to meet patients and clinicians where they are without adding friction to already complex workflows.
Here are 20 real-world examples of virtual workflows that health systems are actively adopting to transform acute care.
1. Virtual Observation
Continuous virtual observation allows trained staff to monitor patients for fall risk, elopement, and other safety concerns without requiring constant in-room presence. This model improves patient safety while reducing sitter costs and caregiver burnout.
2. Virtual Admissions & Discharges
Remote clinicians support admission histories, medication reconciliation, discharge education, and EHR documentation. These workflows help standardize patient education and ensure critical steps aren’t missed during high-volume periods.
3. Staff Mentoring & Precepting
Experienced virtual nurses provide real-time guidance to novice bedside staff, supporting clinical decision-making, skill development, and confidence, especially during nights, weekends, or staffing shortages.
4. Second Signature Verification
Virtual clinicians support medication and blood product verification, reducing interruptions to bedside staff while maintaining compliance and patient safety standards.
5. Wound Care Support
Virtual workflows reinforce routine wound checks, documentation, and protocol adherence, helping ensure consistency across shifts and units, particularly in environments with limited specialty coverage.
6. Case Management Support
Remote case managers engage patients anytime, anywhere to support care planning, utilization management, and discharge readiness, improving throughput and reducing delays.
7. Deterioration Monitoring
At-risk patients are monitored more frequently through virtual check-ins, helping teams identify early signs of decline, pressure ulcers, etc., and intervene sooner.
8. Rapid Response Coordination
Virtual providers support rapid response events by assisting with assessments, documentation, and care coordination, giving bedside teams additional support during critical moments.
9. Multidisciplinary Rounding & Consults
Virtual workflows enable specialists, pharmacists, case managers, and other care team members to collaborate across locations without lost windshield time.
10. Tele-Monitoring with Clinical Decision Support
Remote specialists monitor patient data in real time and provide clinical guidance using decision-support tools, extending specialty expertise across units or facilities.
11. Break Relief & Workforce Coverage
Virtual nurses help cover lunches, breaks, and state-mandated rest periods, supporting staff well-being while maintaining continuity of care.
12. NICU & Pediatric Virtual Care
Virtual visibility supports families and clinical teams by enabling continuous monitoring of at-risk infants and children, enhancing transparency, communication, and peace of mind.
13. Emergency Department Virtual Support
Remote clinicians assist with triage, specialist consults, and rapid assessments, helping ED teams move faster during peak demand.
14. Virtual Documentation & Scribing
Remote staff support bedside teams by documenting in real time, allowing nurses and clinicians to stay focused on patient care instead of screens.
15. Virtual Charge Nurse
Charge nurses can oversee multiple units virtually, supporting staffing decisions, throughput, and escalation workflows without being physically tethered to a single floor.
16. Sepsis Monitoring
Virtual check-ins support early identification and protocol adherence for patients at risk of sepsis, helping teams act faster and more consistently.
17. Transfer Coordination
Virtual workflows streamline interfacility and intra-facility transfers by supporting communication, documentation, and care transitions.
18. Financial Rounding
Remote financial counselors connect with patients to discuss coverage, benefits, and payment options, reducing confusion and improving patient experience.
19. Virtual Pharmacy Rounding
Virtual pharmacists support high-risk med reviews and patient education without being physically present on the unit, improving accuracy during admissions and care transitions.
20. Virtual Nutrition Rounding & Intake Monitoring
Dietitians and nutrition teams virtually assess patient food consumption, tolerance, and dietary adherence through scheduled check-ins to support clinical goals, particularly for high-risk, elderly, or post-surgical patients.
What unique virtual workflows is your health system using?
These examples represent just a snapshot of how health systems are using connected care to rethink inpatient operations. If your team is using virtual care in a unique or innovative way, we’d love to hear from you and potentially feature your approach in a future update!
📩 Email us at marketing@caregility.com to share your virtual care workflows.
