Broadview nurses welcome innovative care strategies
For Julie Duke, Registered Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator at Broadview Union Hospital, the innovative virtual physician program has helped stabilize access to emergency services, enhanced skills, and empowered her nursing team.
“Our nurses rose to the challenge in a remarkable way,” said Duke. “They are invaluable team members in emergency situations and flourished with the implementation of the virtual physician program.”
The program supports emergency departments that are experiencing temporary physician coverage gaps, ensuring they remain open and operational in rural and remote communities. It allows nursing staff to virtually consult with a physician elsewhere in the province to assess and provide treatment to patients based on their care needs, when local physicians are not available to provide coverage.
Since its introduction to Broadview in January 2024, Duke has noticed the virtual physician program has given nurses more confidence and comfort in emergency situations. Additional education and training have allowed them to broaden their scope of practice, refine skills and work virtually with physicians across the province.
“Our team is committed to learning innovative ways of delivering exceptional patient care,” said Duke. “With this technology, we have been able to expand ER hours and enhance access to emergency services for residents in the area, as close to their home as possible.”
