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:

• Guide: In Basket Best Practices Quick Start Guide

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:

• Guide: Oncofertility Quick Start Guide 

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.

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.

• Tip: Using Connect Care Blogs
• Blog Updates: 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:

• Manual: Patient Movement - Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information & Destination (RAAPID)

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:

• Manual: Professional Billing - Patient Health Insurance Status
• Tip: Patient Health Insurance (Coverage) Status
• Demo: Health Insurance Coverage and Charge Capture

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.

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.

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.

Place in Outpatient/Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Order - Updated Availability

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 will only be available and selectable from within the Surgical Admission order sets.

• 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 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. 

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.

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.

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. 

• Tip: Storyboard Airway Alert
• Guide: Anesthesia Provider - Difficult Airway

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.

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).

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.

• Register: CMIO Optimization Classes
• Manual: Optimization Training
• Questions: CMIO.Optimization@ahs.ca

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.

• Manual: Goals of Care Management
• Manual: Goals of Care Designation Definitions

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. 

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:

• Medication Ordering Tip: Weight-Based Dosing

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.

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.

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.

Updated NICU EEG Orders

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Updated NICU EEG Orders

As of October 11, 2024, to help support NICU EEGs being initiated in a timely manner, a new order was added for “Continuous EEG NICU – RN Applied”. Tools for all associated workflows (EEG Lab orders depots and Neurologist Reading Work Lists) have been adjusted to include the new order. 

There have also been the following revisions to the “Continuous EEG NICU” order: 

• Removed the unnecessary "Type" field.
• Removed indications: Brain malformation, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, microcephaly, neonatal stroke.
• Note: The order contains a "Comments" section, where clinicians can enter the history. This is the location where it would be appropriate and helpful to mention any of these other conditions.
• Removed process instruction “if unable to move bed, please send on stretcher”, as this does not apply to NICU continuous EEG recordings. 

Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes - Held Orders

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes - Held Orders

As of October 16, 2024, orders that are on hold and are marked as "Continue" during the Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow will remain on hold when IFT orders are released on the receiving side, until manually unheld. Previously, medication orders on hold that were marked as "Continue" during the IFT workflow were not flagged as held and would become active on the receiving side following the release of IFT orders. 

As seen in the screenshot (click on camera icon below), for a held order that the sending prescriber marked as "Continue", the receiving site will clearly see that hold status rather than it being active upon release of the IFT orders. The receiving prescriber would then have to select "Unhold" if the order needs to be active. 

Ambulatory/Outpatient Updates - Collateral Visits

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Ambulatory/Outpatient Updates - Collateral Visits

"Collateral visits" are visits with a person other than the patient (e.g., parent, partner, caregiver, provider, multidisciplinary team) regarding the health care of the patient. The appointment is scheduled to the patient but attended by the collateral person, and the encounter is on the patient’s health record. 

As of October 15, 2024, there will be updated design, build, and workflow for collateral visits in ambulatory/outpatient settings. These changes include:

• The ability to schedule the appointment with the patient:
• Default to be hidden from the patient, as they do not need to attend the appointment 
• Collateral-specific Visit Types
• Built-in prompts to indicate who the collateral person is to attend the appointment 
• Registration bypass, as the patient is not presenting thus registration can be bypassed
• A new encounter type of “Collateral” to complete documentation, including:
• Specific tools for documenting a collateral visit
• A unique note type of collateral to differentiate documentation from non-collateral visits 
• New columns for the Department Appointment Report (DAR) and Multi-Provider Schedule (MPS), to assist with indicating collateral visits and persons 

If your department requires use of the Collateral Visit workflow, you must request Collateral Visit Types to achieve this workflow, by submitting a ticket. Collateral Visit Types available to request are Provider to Provider (intended to be used when scheduling two Connect Care providers; if only one provider is a Connect Care provider, use another subsequent Collateral Visit Types), Collateral, Collateral – Group, Collateral – Community, Collateral – Home, and Collateral – Telephone.

For screenshots and more information, see the guide:

• Guide: Collateral Visit

H&P Lookback Setting and Prep for Procedure Updates

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Linked H&P Interval Setting and Prep for Procedure Updates

As of October 10, 2024:

• The History and Physical (H&P) Interval ("Link other H&P" in Admission Navigator) setting has been updated to look for appropriate admitting H&P notes (i.e., existing H&P, or a Consult Note or other summative document that can be used as an H&P) up to 1 year in the past, as H&P notes are good for up to 1 year. Previously, the lookback time was set to 90 days.


• An “Op Note” section has been added to the Prep for Procedure navigator, allowing prescribers to create Op Notes for ambulatory operative procedures (click on the camera icon below for a screenshot). Previously, ambulatory operative procedures could only be documented as Progress Notes.
• Note: Op Notes are automatically sent to Netcare once signed.

Dragon Medical One Upgrade

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Dragon Medical One Upgrade

As of October 7, 2024, Connect Care's in-system dictation solution, Dragon Medical One (DMO), will be upgraded to a new version. This upgrade will primarily change the look and feel of the DragonBar. The application will also remember where a user last left the DragonBar on the screen, and will reappear in the same place at the next login. All other functionality will be the same.

Auto-expiry of Additional In Basket Message Types

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Auto-expiry of Additional In Basket Message Types

Clinical information systems have increased the volumes of messages prescribers and other users need to manage. AHS is committed to reducing clutter and increasing In Basket message relevance. Accordingly, the "Taming In Basket" project was launched to identify In Basket messages that can be safely auto-expired, to reduce the volume of existing messages and to empower users to use In Basket efficiently. Approvals have been obtained for the first batch of In Basket messages to be set to auto-expire.

As of October 3, 2024, the following In Basket message types will be set to auto-expire after 90 days:

• Appointment Notification 
• Case Message 
• Covered Work 
• Media Manager 
• OOC Notification
• BestPractice 
• Addendum Notification
• Rx Response
• Pt Admitted/Discharged
• Canceled Orders

Please note that this change will be effective moving forward only. Messages older than 90 days that currently exist in users’ In Baskets will not be affected. Messages older than 90 days will be removed from users’ In Baskets in January 2025 (further communication will be shared at that time). Also note that the above message types are in addition to the message types that are already set up to auto-expire. Currently, Timeout Msg expire in 3 days; Inpatient Notifications, Results Notifications, and ED Notifications in 30 days; and MyChart Notifications in 60 days.

• Tip: With the recent Fall Upgrade, users are now able to opt in/out from many more message types. In In Basket, click on "Preferences", then "Message Settings", and then select or deselect the message types you want or no longer want to receive.

COVID-19 and Connect Care - Hospital Vaccinations Order Set Updated

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• COVID-19 and Connect Care - Hospital Vaccinations Order Set Updated

Changing COVID-19 vaccine ordering tools in Connect Care, paired with a constant imperative to immunize, improves our ability to offer vaccination to patients seen for other reasons.

The Connect Care COVID-19 vaccine order sets have been updated to reflect changes in availability of vaccine type. Eligibility guidance is available through embedded links.

• Manual: Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Orders

Enhanced Discharge as Deceased Navigator

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Discharge as Deceased Navigator Enhancements

A unique patient navigation workflow is needed when a patient dies in a healthcare facility, including when they are declared dead on arrival at the facility. This "patient movement" is a form of discharge, with death bringing the associated healthcare encounter to an end. The workflow is supported with a navigator.

As of October 1, 2024, there are significant enhancements to the "Discharge as Deceased" navigator within the "Discharge" activity available to patient charts opened to an inpatient encounter.

The prescriber navigator has been simplified and provided with brief instructions highlighting tasks for prescribers. Data entry is streamlined, making it easer to complete organ and tissue donation criteria checks. A standardized pronouncement of death note (charting requirement) is generated with a single click. And there is easier access to discharge summary templates that meet provincial documentation requirements.

The deceased navigator update matches recent enhancements to admission and discharge navigators.

• Manual: Discharge as Deceased Navigator
• Tip: Discharge as Deceased Navigator
• Demo: Discharge as Deceased Navigator
• Manual: Deceased Documentation