Virtua Health incorporates robotics into nursing

Virtua Health nurses are involved in robotics-assisted surgery, including set up, coordinating workflows, engaging in sterile field management and troubleshooting. The Marlton, N.J.-based health system provides nurses with structured educational pathways and simulation-based robotics surgery training. The precision of robotics surgery can reduce nurse workload due to fewer patients experiencing infections, blood loss and revision surgery. Shorter lengths of stay result in tighter nursing coordination, however. Robotics surgery can improve nurse ergonomics and create predictable workflows. The Virtua Health robotics director says adequate nurse staffing is needed to adopt robotics surgery, as well as listening to front-line nurses’ experiences. Staffing models should support roles in pre-admission testing, nurse navigation, virtual check-ins and ambulatory recovery support, she says. (HealthLeaders Media article, 3/2/26)