title: The virtual ICU (vICU): a new dimension for critical care nursing practice.
abstract: The virtual or remote intensive care unit is a redesigned model of care that uses state-of-the-art technology to leverage the expertise and knowledge of experienced caregivers over a large group of patients in multiple intensive care units. The registered nurse working in this environment, or eRN, is an expert clinician familiar with evidence-based clinical initiatives that need to occur at the bedside to optimize outcomes for patients. The eRN assists the bedside team by providing a second layer of quality and safety. As the use of this technology continues to grow, a new dimension for critical care nursing practice is emerging that has dramatic implications for the future.
authors.affiliation: Clarian Inpatient Medicine, Clarian Health, 1800 N Capital, Suite e140, Indianapolis, IN 46202-1252, USA. mamyers@clarian.org
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D055817:Telenursing; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface