Donor-supported innovation is elevating the patient and caregiver experience at Providence Mission Hospital

At Providence Mission Hospital, a new virtual nursing platform is adding another layer of support for patients and families during their hospital stay. The technology allows patients to connect with a remote nurse in real time, giving them easier access to information while supporting bedside nurses in an increasingly demanding health care environment.

The new “Co-Caring” model, made possible through philanthropic support from the Al and Jane Nahmad Foundation and other generous donors, creates a collaboration between bedside nurses and highly trained virtual nurses, who are available to patients at any time via a secure audio-video connection in their hospital room.

More access, more answers, more peace of mind
For patients, the experience can be reassuring. Important medical information is often difficult to absorb during a hospital stay, and with this new model, patients can speak to a nurse to ask questions as they arise. They can review medications, receive education about their care and get guidance on discharge and next steps in care at home.

The platform also allows family members to join the conversation, ensuring loved ones can hear important information firsthand, ask questions and feel more confident supporting the patient’s recovery.

“We’re very pleased to give our patients this enhanced layer of communication during their hospital stay,” says chief nursing officer Jennifer Cord, MBA, DNP, NE BC. “By expanding access to nurses and making it easier for patients and families to stay informed and engaged, we’re creating a more connected care experience while giving our bedside teams the needed support to focus their expertise where it matters most.”

Mission hospital leading the way
Across the country, nurses care for more patients with increasingly complex needs. By shifting certain tasks to virtual nursing, the Co-Caring model helps restore balance and allows nurses to practice at the top of their profession.

Early results from the program are promising. Patient satisfaction scores are rising, call response times are shorter and nurses report that the additional support allows them to provide more focused care.

Providence Mission Hospital is among the first hospitals in California to pilot this innovative approach. The program launched in June of 2025 in Surgical 3 East and is being expanded across the hospital in phases, with plans for full implementation in Oncology 3 West and Tele-Sepsis in the near future.

Supported by generous donors, this initiative reflects Providence Mission Hospital’s commitment to reimagining modern nursing care, bringing together innovation, compassion and teamwork to better serve patients and caregivers alike.