The Virtual Hospital: An Innovative Solution for Disaster Response

J Nurs Adm. 2021 Oct 1;51(10):500-506. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001054.

Abstract

Like any disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to healthcare systems, especially the threat of insufficient bed capacity and resources. Hospitals have been required to plan for and implement innovative approaches to expand hospital inpatient and intensive care capacity. This article presents how one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States leveraged existing technology infrastructure to create a virtual hospital that extended care beyond the walls of the "brick and mortar" hospital.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / organization & administration*
  • Hospitals*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Health Care
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surge Capacity / organization & administration*
  • Telemedicine / methods
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration*
  • United States / epidemiology