A virtual nurse called Elizabeth may be the start of a useful backup system for nurses dealing with discharged patients who are bedridden and need information. Elizabeth is an animated character working on a touch screen. She provides an FAQ-like system for medication, outpatient care, and other basic issues.

Elizabeth was introduced to assist with a problem that had been noted among outpatients regarding their information levels. Studies showed that the average outpatient received eight minutes of actual contact and advice from a nurse. This is not enough to cover all issues, obviously, and many outpatients don’t know what questions to ask. And since 20 percent of outpatients are readmitted within 30 days, there was an obvious need to improve the situation.

Elizabeth is a real character with facial expressions copied from doctors and nurses, a friendly interface with the information system. While she’s not designed to replace nurses, she can definitely fill in for them in certain areas. She gives information, then makes sure the patient understands by asking questions on the touch screen. If the patient gets a choice wrong, she lets them know and provides the correct answer. If Elizabeth can’t answer a preset question, she issues an alert.

Elizabeth may be a way to improve an issue that has dogged modern medicine for some time: Patient knowledge and understanding. The fact is that patients, who are by definition unwell or convalescent, can’t necessarily absorb verbal information very effectively. A “try again” approach where patients can check their information and make sure they get things right is definitely a good idea, allowing the patient to work at their own speed of comprehension.

The software is also highly adaptable. This sort of program can be modified considerably for specialist use, and is a definite plus in terms of providing a direct link with outpatients. This can act as an active and passive monitoring system as well, where even a lack of use of the software can be reported, in case the facility loses contact with the patient.

The hardware also works well. The touch screen system is easy to use, and touch screens tend to be pretty durable and reliable, able to stand any domestic environment. It is an easily portable format, not requiring a customized infrastructure to operate, although it would need to be easily rechargeable like a cell phone if battery operated, and have DC converter backup.

Elizabeth has one more valuable asset. Her information can be checked by nurses to make sure she’s up to date, and that the information on her system is correct. That’s something you can’t do with people.

Elizabeth could help save a lot of lives, and a lot of time for nurses. Don’t be surprised if she, or one of her descendants, shows up in your outpatient clinic soon.