Implementing the COVID-19 Virtual Observation Unit in Emergency Medicine.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed hospitals to deliver care outside of their four walls. To successfully scale virtual care delivery, it is important to understand how its implementation impacts frontline employees. We conducted in-depth interviews of 17 clinicians and staff involved with the COVID-19 Virtual Observation Unit (CVOU) in the emergency department of an academic hospital. The program leveraged remote patient monitoring and mobile integrated healthcare. Implementing the CVOU resulted in increased frequency and scope of interactions among clinicians and staff, increased patient participation in care delivery, increased attention to non-medical factors, and expanded role of coordinators and paramedics in patient care, compared to the in-person care provided in the emergency department. These changes led to care team cohesion, professional job satisfaction, and positive attitudes towards virtual care. Our findings advance scholarly and practical understanding regarding reconfiguration of professional roles following technology implementation, virtual work interactions and coordination, and at-home care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]