Virtual Visiting May Enhance the Quality of Life for Patients

Virtual visiting allows for critically ill patients to access the world from their bedside while possibly enhancing their quality of life as well as improving their communication with hospital staff.

“Within the last 100 years, we have witnessed leaps in innovation and change that have affected society and in less than 10 years technology has transformed our lives exponentially,” said Linda Nusdorfer, clinical nurse specialist of the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Toronto General Hospital, during yesterday’s session “Beam Me Home Scottie! Virtual Visiting: The Next Best Thing to Being There.” “What we once thought was impossible is now possible. This is a great opportunity for us as nurses to grab hold of this technology and be prepared as it starts to infiltrate into our organizations more and more.”

What Virtual Visiting Entails

There are a variety of communication tools included in the virtual visiting program, such as a videophone, laptop, webcam and, of course, an Internet connection.

“With webcam technology, we don’t have to limit visiting hours because they now fit into the patient’s time and family’s lifestyle,” she said.

Patients at Nusdorfer’s hospital are encouraged to bring their own laptops, due to the significant costs of these supplies, which are not covered by the hospital.

According to Nusdorfer, another way for patients to keep family and friends informed of their health is through Web CarePages. These pages were designed to help families of a patient stay connected and informed via e-mail and in turn family and friends are able to leave messages for the patient on the page. Patients are able to create their own free page by visiting www.carepages.com.

“With virtual visiting, family members are able to visit with a patient in intensive care without actually being there in the room,” she said. “Members of our nursing staff are also pleased because they do not have the patient’s family members constantly coming to them with questions. The program also reduces the possibility for cross-contamination of an infection.”

Benefits of Social Networks and Support

The virtual visiting program strengthens the social support and comfort provided by the patients’ family members while maintaining patient privacy and safety.

She added that possible benefits of virtual visiting include reducing both patients and families’ anxieties as well as helping families connect with each other by always keeping the “doors open” with the elimination of patient visiting hours.

“Computers have a positive impact on patient experience because patients are able to be more engaged in social networks instead of constantly focusing on their illness,” Nusdorfer said. “It’s bridging the gap and bringing people together while creating an opportunity for nurses to really grab hold of this and use it as a treatment modality. Who knows what other opportunities we may have out there?”