Artificial intelligence isn't just reshaping technology — it's transforming how healthcare systems operate. In Pennsylvania, WellSpan Health is leading the way with an innovative AI-enabled virtual nursing and patient monitoring platform, designed to enhance patient safety, improve outcomes, and reduce the workload of on-site nurses.

A New Chapter In Care Innovation

WellSpan Health has long been recognized for pushing boundaries in healthcare innovation across central Pennsylvania. Its goal is simple but ambitious: to deliver accessible, affordable, and high-quality care for every patient, while empowering its healthcare workforce with the latest digital tools.

By 2025, innovation at WellSpan almost always includes some form of artificial intelligence. The health system's innovation division, which includes research, design, and digital health teams, focuses on leveraging emerging technologies that directly impact patient experience, clinical efficiency, and staff well-being.

Launching The Virtual Nursing Platform

One of WellSpan's most transformative steps was the launch of the Artisight virtual patient monitoring and nursing platform. This AI-powered system provides 24/7 monitoring, care coordination, and virtual assistance — allowing nurses to focus on what matters most: hands-on patient care.

The first pilot began in 2023 at the WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. The goal was twofold — to enhance patient safety and reduce nurses' administrative burdens. The results were impressive.

Tangible Results And Real Impact

Data from the pilot revealed measurable improvements in key performance areas:

Beyond the numbers, the system earned overwhelming support from staff. A WellSpan survey found that 86% of nurses believed the platform improved patient safety and care quality, while 55% said it increased their work flexibility and overall well-being. The buy-in from frontline teams proved crucial for the program's success.

From Pilot To Full Rollout

Encouraged by the pilot's success, WellSpan expanded the platform across nearly all of its hospitals. Today, the system supports everything from patient monitoring to discharge coordination and administrative assistance.

Over 700 AI-enabled cameras now provide computer vision, motion tracking, and vital sign monitoring throughout WellSpan facilities. This allows virtual nurses to oversee patient safety in real time, respond immediately when needed, and even conduct administrative tasks remotely.

Each month, the virtual nursing team now completes over 800 hours of clinical support work. At the system level, 31% of admissions are assisted by a virtual nurse — with some hospitals exceeding 50% coverage. The platform also handles an average of 50 virtual patient observations per day, using predictive AI to prevent falls or injuries before they happen.

How It Works: A Centralized Hub With Human Touch

The virtual nursing operation runs from a centralized digital hub, staffed by trained professionals — some even working from home. This setup not only expands staffing flexibility but also reduces burnout by redistributing routine tasks away from bedside nurses.

Patients benefit from an additional "virtual set of eyes," ensuring they are monitored continuously — even when their attending nurse is assisting another patient. It's a blend of technology and empathy that enhances both safety and efficiency.

Looking Beyond Nursing: The Next Frontier

For WellSpan, the journey doesn't end with virtual nursing. The organization sees immense potential for AI in other clinical and administrative areas. Teams are already exploring pilot programs that use ambient listening and voice-activated documentation, where AI could automatically record and process the 135 items typically documented during a patient admission.

Imagine a future where AI captures key notes from a nurse-patient conversation — reducing manual data entry and freeing up time for genuine human care. That's the direction WellSpan is heading.

The Bigger Picture: Human-Centered AI In Healthcare

WellSpan's success lies not just in adopting technology but in designing it around people — patients and providers alike. As Patricia Donley, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, explains, the organization believes in "whole-brained innovation" — combining analytical, practical, and relational thinking to create meaningful change.

By embedding AI thoughtfully into its workflows, WellSpan Health is showing how technology can enhance compassion, not replace it. The result is a model where caregivers spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time at the bedside — where healing truly happens.