Formulary Changes - New Topical Anesthetic and Oral Histamine H2-Antagonist

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
  • Upcoming Formulary Changes
As of February 25, 2025, the below formulary changes will go into effect. Due to these changes, personalizations of the replaced medications within order sets will be removed.
  • New topical anesthetic: Lidocaine 4% cream (Maxilene) and prilocaine–lidocaine 2.5 %-2.5% cream (EMLA) will be replaced with lidocaine 5% cream (Zensa). This product is intended to provide topical anesthesia prior to IV cannulation, venipuncture and IM administration. The cost savings identified by this change is significant. 
  • New oral histamine H2-antagonist: Oral ranitidine (Zantac) will be replaced with oral famotidine (Pepcid).
For further details, see the "DTC Update" newsletter from the Provincial Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC). 
      Categories: ,

      Optimization Training - Classes in February/March

      The CMIO Training team offers Optimization classes (previously called Thrive classes), where Connect Care prescribers can learn how to take full advantage of the features of the clinical information system, to help maximize their productivity and spend more time with patients. Classes are 60 minutes in length each and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently.

      Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for late February and March 2025. 

      • In Basket Management
        • March 4, 08:00–09:00
        • March 11, 12:00–13:00
        • March 12, 10:00–11:00
        • March 12, 12:30–13:30
        • March 20, 09:30–10:30
        • March 25, 14:30–15:30
      • Lab Ordering
        • February 26, 12:00–13:00
        • March 5, 12:00–13:00
        • March 12, 12:00–13:00
      • Notes
        • March 7, 12:00–13:00
        • March 19, 12:00–13:00
      • Orders Optimization
        • February 28, 07:00–08:00
        • March 3, 12:00–13:00
        • March 11, 10:00–11:00
        • March 12, 12:00–13:00
        • March 20, 12:00–13:00
        • March 27, 10:00–11:00
      • SmartTools
        • February 25, 12:00–13:00
        • March 4, 12:00–13:00
        • March 11, 12:00–13:00
        • March 25, 12:00–13:00
      • Anesthesia (These classes do not have to be done in chronological order, and each covers different topics)
        • Anesthesia Optimization 1 - Intraprocedural Workflows
          • March 3, 10:00–11:00
        • Anesthesia Optimization 2 - Working with Anesthesia Records
          • March 4, 15:00–16:00
        • Anesthesia Optimization 3 - Personalizing Macros
          • March 25, 15:00–16:00

      Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link. Classes will be added regularly, so please continue to check back. Spots are limited to ensure trainers can address individual questions. Please ensure that you review your confirmation email from "Bookings CMIO Thrive" for the class link, and requirements for the session.

      Categories: , ,

      Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Order - Updated Availability [Updated]

      Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
      • Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Order - Updated Availability
      Since the launch of Connect Care, several common errors have been identified in the selection of ADT (Admission, Discharge, Transfer) orders and/or using the incorrect order to facilitate patient movement. One example of this is using the "Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery" order AFTER an "Admit to Inpatient" order has been placed.

      In order to reduce confusion and prevent providers from entering the Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery order after an admit order has been placed, the order has been removed from the facility pick list. Effective December 12, 2024, the order can only be found and selected within the pre-admission order sets which should be done preoperatively. For those surgeons who do not enter pre-procedure order sets, the order can also be found within the post-procedure order set.
      • Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery: This is an ADT order that should only be used for Day Surgery patients. 
        • Using the Prep for Procedure navigator, the order can be found in the Surgical Admission pre-procedure order sets.
        • Should be selected for patients expected to discharge after surgery.   
      • Admit to Inpatient: This order should ONLY be used for a Day Surgery class patient if they require an inpatient admission (i.e., they are no longer a Day Surgery patient). 
        • Once the admit order is placed, it cannot be undone by placing a Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery order. 
        • The patient class will update to Inpatient after the admit order is placed, which will require surgeons to complete a discharge summary and full medication reconciliation. 
        • To facilitate patient movement for Day Surgery patients into inpatient spaces (keeping them as Day Surgery class), use the extended stay workflow. 
        • If plans have changed post-procedure and the patient requires extra recovery time on a unit, the surgeon can modify the existing Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Order and select "Yes" to "Is this patient expected to stay later than regular business hours?".

      The Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery order is not required to move a Day Surgery patient from a day surgery/cath lab to an inpatient unit. The nurse can simply create a bed request from the status board to facilitate this patient movement. For more information on how to facilitate bed planning on an inpatient unit for day surgery/extended stay patients, see the extended stay workflow tip sheet.

      For more information on surgical workflows and choosing the correct navigator:
      [Post updated February 7, 2025]
        Categories: , ,

        Patient List Updates - Out of Country / Province / Zone Patients

        Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
        • Patient List Updates - Out of Country/Province/Zone Patients
        Patients that live out of country, out of province or out of zone can now be viewed in Patient Lists.  This information can help prioritize patients that need repatriation to help alleviate capacity constraints within a site.

        To view patients that live out of country, out of province or out of zone, prescribers must add the "Out of Country Province or Zone" column to their Patient List:  
        • Highlight your patient list and click "Edit List" to see the drop down menu (click the left camera icon below to see a screenshot). Select "Properties (click the right camera icon below).
         
        • In the pop-up, using the search field, find the "Out of Country Province or Zone" column, click "Add Column", and then "Accept".
        • You should now see the column in your patient list.
            Categories: ,

            Updated Respiratory Infection (Incl. COVID-19) NAT Order

            Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
            • Updated Respiratory Infection (Incl. COVID-19) NAT Order
            Ordering of rapid COVID-19 PCR, rapid influenza/RSV PCR, and the respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) occurs using the "Respiratory Infection (incl. COVID-19) NAT" order. As of February 7, 2025, the RPP can be ordered alone when COVID-19 and/or flu/RSV testing is not needed or has already been performed. The RPP can be added on to an existing specimen in Connect Care within 48 hours of collection of the specimen. Add-on requests after 48 hours can be done by contacting the laboratory or submitting the ProvLab add-on test form. 
            • The RPP tests for SARS-CoV-2, flu, RSV, human metapneumoviruses, other human coronaviruses, adenovirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. If testing for the full panel of viruses is required, consider ordering only RPP rather than rapid COVID-19/flu/RSV.
            • Only request RPP or any other respiratory virus testing when it is required for clinical care AND meets appropriate testing criteria (severely immunocompromised, critical respiratory failure, myocarditis, acute flaccid paralysis, child with fever NYD after initial investigations, outbreak investigations).
            • RPP is often tested within 24 hours upon receipt at the APL Provincial Public Health Laboratory.
            See the updated tip sheet for further information:
                Categories: ,

                Changes to Hereditary Thrombophilia Investigations Order

                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                • Changes to Hereditary Thrombophilia Investigations Order
                As of February 5, 2025, the following changes have been made to the "Hereditary Thrombophilia Investigations [LAB4347]" order: 
                •  Two new hard stops have been added, for the "Test(s) Required?" and the "Is the patient currently on any anticoagulants?" questions (click the camera icon below to see a screenshot).
                • The antiphospholipid panel has been removed. If needed, it should be ordered separately by adding the "Antiphospholipid Syndrome Investigation [LAB478]" order to the cart.
                • A new pop-up will appear has been added when the patient has not met criteria for testing and no tests will be added to the cart.  Prescribers are asked to accept the order or review the answers to questions before signing the order. If the patient does not meet the testing criteria, the prescriber should call the Thrombosis Specialist to investigate (www.specialistlink.ca).
                    Categories: ,

                    Changes to "After Visit ECG 12-Lead" Order

                    Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                    • Central Zone Lab ECG Locations Removed from "After Visit ECG 12-Lead" Order
                    As of January 16, 2025, to reduce potential errors in order entry, a number of Central Zone Lab ECG locations have been removed from the "After Visit ECG 12-Lead" order as selectable preferred locations: Breton, Castor, Centennial, Consort, Drayton Valley, Drumheller, Hanna, Innisfail, Lacombe, Olds, Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, St. Joseph's General Hospital Vegreville, Sundre, Three Hills, and Wetaskiwin. These Central Zone sites were removed from the ECG order to align with all other lab facilities in the province and establish a consistent workflow for both ordering providers and lab staff.

                    If the ordering provider does not see their preferred location listed under the "Connect Care Facility" option in the order composer, "Lab Facility (Requisition to print)" should instead be selected (click on the camera icon below for a screenshot). Once the order is entered, a requisition will then automatically be printed to give to the patient; when the patient presents to the lab, the lab will be able to find and release the ECG order. 

                        Categories: ,

                        Changes to Anesthesia Medication Records - Action May Be Needed

                        Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                        • Changes to Ropivacaine, Bupivacaine PCEA, and Nerve Block Medication Records
                        On January 28, 2025, technical changes to the Ropivacaine, Bupivacaine PCEA, and Nerve Block medication records in Connect Care will result in the removal of existing personalizations that include these records. In particular, any personalizations for the parameters and administration instruction hardstop fields in the Epidural/Intrathecal/Nerve Block, Epidural/Regional Pediatric, and Amputation Post-procedure Adult order sets will have to be re-entered (click on the camera icon to see a screenshot for the Ropivacaine change). Nothing will change regarding how these medications are ordered by prescribers.

                            Categories: ,

                            Therapy Plans - Bulk Management Now Available

                            Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                            • Therapy Plans - Bulk Management Now Available
                            Some aspects of therapy plans can now be managed in bulk, including discontinuing plans that are complete or are no longer needed, and changing the lead plan provider for multiple plans when the current plan provider is going on leave, etc. 

                            For more information, see the tip sheet:
                                Categories: ,

                                Taming In Basket - Removal of Messages Older Than 90 Days

                                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                • Taming In Basket - Removal of Messages >90 Days
                                Clinical information systems have increased the volumes of messages prescribers and other users need to manage, and AHS is committed to making adjustments to reduce clutter and increase In Basket message relevance. The "Taming In Basket" project was launched to identify In Basket messages that can be safely auto-expired, to reduce the volume of existing In Basket messages and to empower users to use In Basket efficiently.

                                As previously posted, in October 2024 the first batch of In Basket message types were set to auto-expire after 90 days but, at that time, messages older than 90 days that were already in users' In Baskets were not removed. As of January 21, 2025, messages of the following types that are older than 90 days will be removed from users' In Basket view in Hyperspace. The decluttered view will make it easier for users to action new and task-oriented messages.
                                • Appointment Notification 
                                • Case Message 
                                • Covered Work 
                                • Media Manager 
                                • OOC Notification
                                • BestPractice 
                                • Addendum Notification
                                • Rx Response
                                • Pt Admitted/Discharged
                                • Canceled Orders
                                Please note that messages will only be removed from users’ In Basket view; all messages will still be retained in databases in case they need to be retrieved in the future for legal/privacy/etc. investigation.

                                For more information on In Basket, please see the Quick Start Guide:
                                    Categories: ,

                                    New Ambulatory Referral to Oncofertility

                                    Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                    • New Ambulatory Referral to Oncofertility
                                    As of January 15, 2025, the implementation of a new Oncofertility Pathway brings changes to how oncology prescribers will be able to refer to fertility services. The new "Ambulatory Referral to Oncofertility" order will streamline the referral process for connecting cancer patients with fertility clinics. The referral is available to all oncology prescribers (Cancer Care Alberta [CCA] and non-CCA) and will facilitate electronic referral requests being sent to one of the three fertility clinics in Alberta who provide fertility preservation services for cancer patients.

                                    For more information on the referral workflow, see the Quick Start Guide:
                                        Categories: , , ,

                                        New Ordering Tools Available in Connect Care

                                        Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                        • New Ordering Tools Available in Connect Care
                                        Prior to Launch 9, the following new order sets were released:
                                        • Elder-Friendly Approach to the Seniors Environment Admission Adult Order Set
                                        • Elder-Friendly Approach to the Seniors Environment Postprocedure Adult Order Set
                                        • Frostbite Admission Adult Order Set
                                        With the implementation of the Connect Care clinical information system across the province completed, our build teams can now focus on optimization, to further enhance patient safety and user experience. In the new year, we will be looking at developing more efficient and regular methods of communicating system updates that impact prescribers, such as new or changed ordering tools. 

                                        In the interim, please consider bookmarking this blog channel (support.connect-care.ca), where system updates are flagged in "Enhancement update" posts such as this. Alternatively, consider bookmarking ahs-cis.ca/cmioupdates, which collects the "On Other Channels" digest posts that flag new blog posts across all Connect Care clinician blog channels (typically weekly), as well as notices of each new issue of our monthly prescriber newsletter, Between the Charts (news.connect-care.ca), which highlights key updates that have a broad impact.
                                            Categories: ,

                                            Email Subscription Service Ending for Connect Care Clinician Blogs

                                            Effective end of this month (December 31, 2024), we will be discontinuing our current email subscription service for all our Connect Care clinician blog channels. At this time, we do not have an alternate email subscription service available, but will continue to look for an appropriate service that meets our readers' needs. 

                                            In the meantime, the blog channels do each support “subscribing” to their RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, for those who use newsfeed readers - see the tip sheet for more information. For others, perhaps consider bookmarking the main Bytes channel (bytes.connect-care.ca) and checking in on Fridays and the end of each month. Digests of new blog posts across all Connect Care clinician blog channels are published most Fridays on Bytes under the title "On Other Channels". Also, our monthly prescriber newsletter, Between the Charts (news.connect-care.ca), highlights key blog posts from the previous month; issues are typically published in the last week of each month, and a notice is published on Bytes as soon as the next issue is available. Both of these updates are gathered under the same tag, and so can be directly bookmarked via ahs-cis.ca/cmioupdates.

                                            RAAPID Notes Now in Patient Lists

                                            Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                            • RAAPID Notes in Patient Lists
                                            As of December 18, 2024, information regarding the status of RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information & Destination) consults and transfers can be found in the RAAPID Patient Lists. RAAPID Notes have been added to the reports view, and can be found by highlighting a patient’s name from the list and searching for "RAAPID Notes" (click on the camera icons to see screenshots). The notes may include updates on the transfer, reasons for delay or special care needs.

                                             

                                            For more information on RAAPID, see the Manual:
                                                Categories: , ,

                                                Optimization of Prescriber Billing Tools - Health Insurance Status

                                                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                • Optimization of Prescriber Billing Tools - Health Insurance Status
                                                As of December 19, 2024, changes will be made to prescriber billing tools in Connect Care so prescribers can quickly find whether a patient's care is supported by Alberta healthcare insurance, out-of-province insurance, private insurance, or no insurance. Health insurance coverage status information will be available to prescribers in a number of places, including patient lists, trackboards, and schedules, the patient chart sidebar, and also the Service Code Capture activity.

                                                For more information, see:
                                                  Categories: ,

                                                  Cleanup of Pharmacy Records in Connect Care (Action May Be Needed)

                                                  Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                  • Cleanup of Pharmacy Records in Connect Care
                                                  IT has recently completed a cleanup of Connect Care's pharmacy records (i.e., pharmacy names and addresses), which has eliminated duplicate entries, fixed name/address errors, and applied consistent naming across all pharmacies in the system. Going forward, Connect Care users will experience more accurate search results when searching for a pharmacy (e.g., in the Demographics screen).

                                                  As a result of this cleanup, please note that prescribers may                                                   have to re-add preferred pharmacies for some patients, i.e., if the record selected for their preferred pharmacy was one of the duplicates that were deleted.
                                                    Categories:

                                                    Changes to Follow-Up Appointment Requests Section

                                                    Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                    • Changes to Follow-Up Appointment Requests Section
                                                    In many Ambulatory navigators, there is currently a “Follow-Up” or “Disp & CC” section for prescribers to request a Follow-Up Appointment. This request typically flows to a managed workqueue, allowing the follow-up to be booked in the physical department the encounter is taking place in. However, if a prescriber is logged in to a virtual department and uses that section to request a follow-up for an unscheduled encounter ("Quick Encounter"), there is then no physical/schedulable department associated with the encounter, and so the request is not able to flow to a workqueue to complete the scheduling.

                                                    To avoid unmanaged Follow-Up Appointment requests, as of December 17, 2024 (between 13:00 and 15:00), changes will be made to the Follow-Up/Disp & CC section, primarily that it will no longer appear if the encounter department does not have the functionality to accept and process the request. Note these changes do not apply to Ambulatory departments that do not currently use the Follow-Up/Disp & CC section. 
                                                    • If an encounter department accepts Follow-Up Appointment requests: The current Follow-Up/Disp & CC section will continue to display, as "Follow-Up". 
                                                    • If an encounter department does not accept Follow-Up Appointment requests: Prescribers will now see a "Send Chart" section instead of a Follow-Up section, which will allow them to appropriately route the chart (e.g., to an MOA) to request a follow-up.
                                                    • In unscheduled (Quick) encounters: A new banner called "Encounter Department Information" will appear above the Follow-Up/Send Chart section, to show the current encounter department and give instructions on how to change it if required. 
                                                      • If logged in to a physical department: If the encounter department shown is incorrect, prescribers can click the hyperlink provided to change the department (will need to press F5 to refresh). See the screenshot for an example.
                                                      • If logged in to a virtual department: The display will indicate that a physical department is required for all appointment/follow-up requests and orders, to ensure they are routed correctly and have the correct department contact information. Prescribers can click the hyperlink provided to change the department (will need to press F5 to refresh). See the screenshot for an example.
                                                      Categories:

                                                      Pharmacy Update - Partial Patch Doses

                                                      Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                      • Ordering Partial Patch Doses
                                                      As of December 17, 2024, patches will be configured to allow ordering partial patch doses via the medication record (ERX record) if a commercial strength is not available. Previously, prescribers had to use the non-standard workflow to order the correct dose. Note that manipulating patches by cutting, covering, folding, etc., is generally not recommended by manufacturers.

                                                      The change will affect the following matrix-type patches:
                                                      • buprenorphine 5 mcg/hour weekly transdermal patch
                                                      • estradiol 0.025 mg/24 hour weekly transdermal patch
                                                      • estradiol 0.025 mg/24 hour semiweekly transdermal patch 
                                                      • fentanyl 12 mcg/hour transdermal patch 
                                                      • nitroglycerin 0.2 mg/hour transdermal patch
                                                      Note that the rounding is set to 0.25, so prescribers can order any fraction of that (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, etc.); for an example of what an order for a half patch would look like, click the left camera icon below for a screenshot. The system will also round to the nearest 0.25 patch if the order is within 10% (e.g., 0.8 patch would round to 0.75 patch); if it is more than a 10% difference, the prescriber will get an alert - click the right camera icon below to see a screenshot of the alert.

                                                        Categories: ,

                                                        Specialty Referral Optimization

                                                        Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                        • Additional Improvements to Ambulatory Referrals
                                                        Reporting indicates that incomplete referrals received in Connect Care have led to ~30% denial rates, which can result in a delay for the patient requiring access to specialty care. As previously posted, the Connect Care Referrals Taskforce and provincial specialty working groups have been working over the last several months to make improvements to referrals, to ensure referral orders include required information for effective and efficient triaging. 

                                                        Continuing the optimization work that started this summer, further changes will be made December 10, 2024 (between 12:00 and 13:00), specifically to Ambulatory Referral Orders for Hepatology, Urology, Pediatric Neurology, and Pediatric Orthopaedics.
                                                        • Updated referral orders for these specialties will include custom specialty reference links, optimized speed buttons, and cascading questions specific to specialty criteria. 
                                                        • Users may be required to re-personalize preference lists and Order Sets/SmartSets containing previous versions of these ambulatory referral orders, to ensure the updated version is used.
                                                        Click on the relevant camera icon to see a screenshot of the updated referral order (1. Hepatology; 2. Urology; 3. Pediatric Neurology; and 4. Pediatric Orthopaedics):

                                                        1.2.3.4.
                                                        Categories: ,

                                                        New Order Panel - Standard Analgesic Pediatric

                                                        Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                        • New Order Panel - Standard Analgesic Pediatric
                                                        The Provincial Opioid Optimization Working Group has facilitated the creation of ordering tools that promote evidence-based, lowest effective dose analgesia for managing acute pain. As of October 25, 2024, a new evidence-based "Standard Analgesic Pediatric" order panel is available in Connect Care, following the release of the Standard Analgesic Adult order panel on February 14, 2024 (see the previous blog post).

                                                        For moderate to severe acute postsurgical pain, the optimal approach involves a combination of scheduled non-opioid analgesics and as-needed opioids. In the future, pediatric order sets will be updated to integrate the new Standard Analgesic Pediatric panel as appropriate.
                                                          Categories: ,

                                                          Updates to Storyboard Airway Alerts

                                                          Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                          • Airway Alerts on Storyboard
                                                          As of November 26, 2024, the previous “Difficult Airway” line item in the Storyboard will appear as “Airway Alert” to be more inclusive, and will defaults to orange in colour. When hovering over the Storyboard Airway Alert, you will be able to see all historical documentation for the alert (click the below camera icon to see a screenshot). 


                                                          A tip sheet details how to update the criticality of the alert and how to remove it, and a guide is available for anesthesia providers on how to document a difficult airway. 
                                                          Categories: ,

                                                          Updates to PCA Adult Order Sets

                                                          Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                          • Updated Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Adult Order Set
                                                          As of November 22, 2024, the PCA Adult Standard and PCA Adult Complex order sets will be retired and replaced with a newly created PCA Adult order set.
                                                          • The new PCA Adult order set is a combination of the previously available PCA Adult Standard and PCA Adult Complex order sets.
                                                          • All orders (e.g., Vital Signs, Patient Care Interventions, Antiemetics-PRN) remain the same.
                                                          • The "PCA Bolus + Clinician Bolus" order group is the only NEW component of the order set.
                                                          • The "PCA Bolus Only" order group will NOT be visible within the Calgary Zone.
                                                            Categories: ,

                                                            SMAT Changes in Pediatric/Neonatal Order Sets

                                                            Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                            • SMAT Changes in Pediatric/Neonatal Order Sets
                                                            As of November 19, 2024, any medication (ERX) records that had a defaulted standard medication administration time (SMAT; aka scheduled or SCH) on pediatric and neonatal order sets will be converted to a non-SMAT frequency to align with change made to the ERX records in June 2024. Personalization made to those medication records within the affected order sets will have personalization removed. 

                                                            Please pay close attention to the banner that appears upon opening the order sets for the first time after this date, as it will identify the medications affected so they can be re-personalized (click the below camera icon to see an example banner).

                                                            Categories: ,

                                                            Optimization Training - Classes in November

                                                            The CMIO Training team offers Optimization classes (previously called Thrive classes), where Connect Care prescribers can learn how to take full advantage of the features of the clinical information system, to help maximize their productivity and spend more time with patients. Classes are 60 minutes in length each and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently.

                                                            Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for November 2024. 

                                                            • Notes and Documentation SmartTools
                                                              • November 21, 12:00–13:00 
                                                              • November 25, 12:00–13:00
                                                            • Orders Optimization
                                                              • November 19, 11:00–12:00
                                                            • In Basket Management
                                                              • November 11, 11:00–12:00
                                                              • November 21, 10:30–11:30
                                                              • November 28, 08:30–09:30
                                                            • Therapy Plans
                                                              • November 26, 12:00–13:00
                                                            • NEW: AMH Neuromodulation (focuses on work up order panels, ECT Therapy Plans, and documentation)
                                                              • November 21, 15:00–16:00

                                                            Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link. Classes will be added regularly, so please continue to check back. Spots are limited to ensure trainers can address individual questions. Please ensure that you review your confirmation email from "Bookings CMIO Thrive" for the class link, and requirements for the session.

                                                            Categories: , ,

                                                            Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care Designation Updates

                                                            Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                            • Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care Designation Updates
                                                            To better support clinical decision-making in the moment and reduce risks of harm when using out-of-date information, as of October 16, 2024, Advanced Care Planning (ACP) and Goals of Care Designation (GCD) related updates have been made to the following three areas:
                                                            • Storyboard ACP/GCD status messaging: Adjusted to read “No active order; search scanned docs” when no active order exists.
                                                            • Best Practice Advisories (BPAs): Amended to include three additional lines of instruction and link to the ACP navigator (via the “Review ACP/Greensleeve Documents” link at the bottom of the BPA), to instruct on appropriate review of documents.
                                                            • GCD Order: Includes additional wording directing users to take appropriate action for ACP/GCD reconciliation: “Green Sleeves and Connect Care must be reviewed and reconciled to ensure that both sources reflect the most recent order. Goals of Care Designations ordered in Connect Care must be printed and added to the front of patient’s Green Sleeve. If any prior printed designations are retained, they should be marked 'VOID', dated and initialed." 
                                                            For more details about GCD, see the Connect Care Manual. If you have any questions, contact ConversationsMatter@ahs.ca.

                                                              Categories: , ,

                                                              Laboratory Results Review Update - Cord Blood Gases

                                                              Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                              • Laboratory Results Review Update - Cord Blood Gases
                                                              With the aim of improving lab results review for cord blood gases, the previous Result Review "Cord Blood BG" folder has been separated into two separate folders: "CORD ARTERIAL BG" and "CORD VENOUS BG" (click on the camera icon below for a screenshot). Smart Tools/Text using these components may need to be updated. 

                                                              Categories: ,

                                                              New Pediatric Dosing Weight BPA

                                                              Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                              • New Pediatric Dosing Weight BPA
                                                              Accuracy in dosing weight is critical for patient safety and effective treatment. To support clinical decision-making by ensuring accurate dosing information, a new Best Practice Advisory (BPA) notification will fire for prescribers to help identify pediatric patients who are <1 year old with a dosing weight recorded on the current encounter and the most recent recorded dosing weight is >7 days old. 

                                                              Prescribers will see the following BPA options:
                                                              • Update Dosing Weight (via flowsheet row in BPA)
                                                              • Update Weight (via flowsheet row in BPA)
                                                              • Place Order: Update Dosing Weight (NUR792) preconfigured with a comment “Reweigh patient and discuss with Most-Responsible-Provider to determine the most appropriate dosing weight for the patient". 24-hour lockout will be applied to the notification.
                                                              • Acknowledgement Reason: “Remind me in 1 hour”
                                                              Note: To view the most recent weight and dosing weight recorded, click the wrench icon in the upper right corner of the window and select the “Show Last Filed Value” checkbox (click on the camera icon to see a screenshot). 


                                                              For more information on weight-based dosing, see the tip:

                                                                Categories: ,

                                                                E0 Workflow Updates

                                                                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                                • E0 Workflow Updates
                                                                The following updates have been made to the workflow for E0 Case Scheduling, affecting STAT Labor and Delivery Cases and all other STAT Surgical Cases, as seen in the respective swimlane diagrams (click image to enlarge). The largest change for prescribers is that an identified care team can now be designated to call the appropriate surgical desk to request a STAT case if the Surgeon is occupied caring for the patient.

                                                                E0 Case Scheduling
                                                                1. Updated verbiage.
                                                                2. Delineates between general surgery case and C-section case.
                                                                3. Allows surgeon to provide verbal direction as per CPOE to call and book the case.
                                                                4. Added CARE TEAM MEMBER swim lane to identify what this person will need when calling the OR to notify and book the case.
                                                                5. Delineates situations with MRN or unknown patient to reduce backend reconciliation and reduce patient record error risk.
                                                                6. Provides a closed loop communication step for the workflow.

                                                                E0 Case Scheduling – Pregnant Patient from Emergency for STAT C-Section
                                                                1. Allows surgeon to provide verbal direction as per CPOE to call and book the case.
                                                                2. Added CARE TEAM MEMBER swim lane to identify what this person will need when calling the OR to notify and book the case.
                                                                3. Identifies a step for sites with separate LDRs for this dept to be the initial call. 
                                                                4. Delineates situations with where the C-section is going to be performed.
                                                                5. Reminder regarding sending staff as needed when procedure done outside of an LDR.
                                                                Categories:

                                                                New Order Set - Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult

                                                                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                                • New Order Set - Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult
                                                                A new order set, "Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult", is now available. Click on the camera icon below for a screenshot.

                                                                Categories: ,

                                                                Discharge Dispositions - Simplified Options

                                                                Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
                                                                • Discharge Dispositions - Simplified Options
                                                                The "Disposition" field in the Discharge order is required to be documented upon actual discharge. Previously, if the wrong disposition was selected it created issues with printing the appropriate discharge/transfer documents (i.e., AVS), which impacted discharging the patient in a timely manner.

                                                                To simplify the selection process and prevent issues from occurring, as of October 30, 2024, all transfer dispositions will be removed from the disposition picklist (dropdown menu accessed via the magnifying glass icon in the search field) and replaced with one transfer disposition called "Transfer to Another Facility". This new disposition should be used for ALL interfacility transfers (IFTs) to other hospitals including rehab, mental health, long-term care/Continuing Care, acute care and correctional health locations. The actual destination type and destination location will be captured in the Discharge Form (by unit clerk or nursing) upon actual discharge. The new disposition is also available as a new speed button, to the right of the search field (click on camera icon to see screenshot). 


                                                                All other discharge dispositions (e.g., for patients who have died, left without discharge, AMH dispositions, and patients dismissed from the ED that have not been admitted) have also been simplified, and remain available in the disposition dropdown menu.

                                                                  Categories: , ,
                                                                  Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)