- Home Care referrals need to go through the central Continuing Care Access (CCA) team. In the Home Care order set/SmartSet, the “To Department Specialty” field is prefilled with “Continuing Care Access” to ensure it gets to the CCA team, and this field should not be changed. See the tip sheet for details.
- An issue was identified for Emergency Department prescribers when searching for the Home Care referral order. The fix is to use the "Discharge Templates" tile in the "Dispo" tab to find the appropriate Home Care referral SmartSet (search for "home care"). A quick link will soon be added so the SmartSet can be directly accessed without searching. In the meantime, see the tip sheet for details on how to search and find.
Connect Care Support Forum
Peer-to-peer support for clinicians using the Connect Care clinical information system.
Launch 9 Support Hot Topics - Day 5
Launch 9 Support Hot Topics - Day 3 and 4
- Home Care referrals need to go through the central Continuing Care Access (CCA) team. In the Home Care order set/SmartSet, the “To Department Specialty” field is prefilled with “Continuing Care Access” to ensure it gets to the CCA team, and this field should not be changed. See the tip sheet for details.
- An issue has been identified for Emergency Department prescribers when searching for the Home Care referral order. The fix is to use the "Discharge Templates" tile in the "Dispo" tab to find the appropriate Home Care referral SmartSet (search for "home care"). A tip sheet with details is in development.
- At inpatient Continuing Care facilities with an externally contracted pharmacy, the paper Medication Administration Record (MAR) is the only source of truth for patient medications.
- External Medication Cutover can be undertaken to align the External Medication view in Connect Care to a patient’s complete medication profile. External Medication Cutover can be completed by the most responsible prescriber, or by nurses or pharmacists.
- To determine which patients have undergone External Medication Cutover, nurses, unit staff and pharmacists can add a column to their patient list which indicates attestation of completion.
- See the memo for details.
- If a Continuing Care/Designated Supportive Living resident or Corrections patient requires hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or an Alberta Kidney Care clinic appointment, there is a specific workflow that needs to be followed so that information flows appropriately through Connect Care. This will allow medication orders to work correctly and help to mitigate patient safety concerns. The specific workflow is dependent on whether the facility is on Connect Care, and, if it is, whether the facility has an on-site pharmacy or uses a contracted/community pharmacy.
- See the relevant memo for details:
- Super Users are a great first point of contact when you need help, alongside the Helpdesk for urgent issues. If you are needing access help, call Helpdesk, as this is considered an urgent issue.
- For less pressing and more complex issues (e.g., help with using the Discharge navigator), the Virtual Drop-in Centre is open 7 days a week for the next few weeks. The hours for the next two weeks (November 2–17) are:
- Monday–Friday: 07:00–20:00
- Saturday–Sunday: 08:00–20:00
- For details on how to access the Virtual Drop-in, including updated hours and posters, see launchhelp.connect-care.ca.
- To prepare for Launch 9, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
- A Launch 9 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:
- Changes related to admitting from/discharging to the Continuing Care facilities launching in North and Edmonton Zones
- Changes to disposition selection in the Discharge order for all IFTs
- Changes related to Health Link and other Population and Public Health programs going live (including ambulatory referrals to Health Link)
- Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 9 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).
Launch 9 Support Hot Topics - Day 1 and 2
- Super Users are a great first point of contact when you need help, alongside the Helpdesk for urgent issues. If you are needing access help, call Helpdesk, as this is considered an urgent issue.
- For less pressing and more complex issues (e.g., help with using the Discharge navigator), the Virtual Drop-in Centre is open 7 days a week for the next few weeks. The hours for the next two weeks (November 2–17) are:
- Monday–Friday: 07:00–20:00
- Saturday–Sunday: 08:00–20:00
- For details on how to access the Virtual Drop-in, including updated hours and posters, see launchhelp.connect-care.ca.
- To prepare for Launch 9, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
- A Launch 9 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:
- Changes related to admitting from/discharging to the Continuing Care facilities launching in North and Edmonton Zones
- Changes to disposition selection in the Discharge order for all IFTs
- Changes related to Health Link and other Population and Public Health programs going live (including ambulatory referrals to Health Link)
- Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 9 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).
- Users (from all launches) are experiencing pixelation of text in Connect Care when Dragon Medical One (mobile dictation, DMO) is active. The issue seems to be due to the upgraded version of DMO that went live October 9.
- IT will be rolling back to the older version of DMO until the issue is fixed. This roll back, however, is expected to take until mid-November to complete. Updates will be posted when available.
- There have been some questions on external medication cutover. A memo with helpful information will be sent soon.
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.
Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care Designation Updates
- Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care Designation Updates
- 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."
Laboratory Results Review Update - Cord Blood Gases
- Laboratory Results Review Update - Cord Blood Gases
New Pediatric Dosing Weight BPA
- New Pediatric Dosing Weight BPA
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”
E0 Workflow Updates
- E0 Workflow Updates
- Updated verbiage.
- Delineates between general surgery case and C-section case.
- Allows surgeon to provide verbal direction as per CPOE to call and book the case.
- Added CARE TEAM MEMBER swim lane to identify what this person will need when calling the OR to notify and book the case.
- Delineates situations with MRN or unknown patient to reduce backend reconciliation and reduce patient record error risk.
- Provides a closed loop communication step for the workflow.
- Allows surgeon to provide verbal direction as per CPOE to call and book the case.
- Added CARE TEAM MEMBER swim lane to identify what this person will need when calling the OR to notify and book the case.
- Identifies a step for sites with separate LDRs for this dept to be the initial call.
- Delineates situations with where the C-section is going to be performed.
- Reminder regarding sending staff as needed when procedure done outside of an LDR.
New Order Set - Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult
- New Order Set - Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult
Discharge Dispositions - Simplified Options
- Discharge Dispositions - Simplified Options
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
- Updated NICU EEG Orders
- 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
- Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes - Held Orders
Ambulatory/Outpatient Updates - Collateral Visits
- Ambulatory/Outpatient Updates - Collateral Visits
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
H&P Lookback Setting and Prep for Procedure Updates
- Linked H&P Interval Setting and Prep for Procedure Updates
- 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
- Dragon Medical One Upgrade
Auto-expiry of Additional In Basket Message Types
- Auto-expiry of Additional In Basket Message Types
- Appointment Notification
- Case Message
- Covered Work
- Media Manager
- OOC Notification
- BestPractice
- Addendum Notification
- Rx Response
- Pt Admitted/Discharged
- Canceled Orders
- 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
- COVID-19 and Connect Care - Hospital Vaccinations Order Set Updated
Enhanced Discharge as Deceased Navigator
- Discharge as Deceased Navigator Enhancements
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.
Inpatient Order Set Updates - Swallow Screen and Bronchiolitis
- Inpatient Order Set Updates - Swallow Screen and Bronchiolitis
- Stroke Order Set - Nursing Swallow Screen - In the "Diet and Nutrition" section of stroke order sets (Acute Ischemic Stroke [Thrombolysis and EVT] Adult - click on first camera icon below for screenshot; Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Adult - click on second camera icon), prescribers can easily order a swallow screen to be completed by nursing, to ensure any swallowing difficulties are identified prior to any oral intake.
- Bronchiolitis Deterioration and Heated Humidified Highflow Nasal Cannula Pediatrics - This order set has been developed to support the additional guidance for heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) in bronchiolitis that has been added to the Bronchiolitis, Infant – Emergency & Inpatient Clinical Knowledge Topic. The Bronchiolitis ED/UCC Pediatric and the Bronchiolitis Admission and Maintenance Pediatric have also been updated.
Optimization Training - Classes in October
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 October 2024.
- Notes and Documentation SmartTools
- October 2, 12:00–13:00
- October 9, 12:00–13:00
- Orders Optimization
- October 9, 10:00–11:00
- October 28, 13:00–14:00
- In Basket Management
- October 8, 13:00–14:00
- October 9, 11:30–12:30
- October 15, 09:00–10:00
- October 15, 12:30–13:30
- October 17, 12:00–13:00
- October 24, 08:30–09:30
- October 29, 15:00–16:00
- Anesthesia (These classes do not have to be done in chronological order, and each covers different topics)
- Anesthesia 1 - Intraprocedural Workflows
- October 3, 16:00–17:00
- Anesthesia 2 - Working with Anesthesia Records
- October 14, 19:00–20:00
- Anesthesia 3 - Personalizing Macros
- October 29, 19:00–20:00
- Anesthesia 4 - Haiku Personalization
- October 4, 16:00–17:00
- October 11, 17:00–18:00
- October 16, 17:00–18:00
- October 24, 17:00–18:00
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.
New Outpatient/Ambulatory Interventional Radiology Panel
- New Ambulatory Interventional Radiology Panel
- Radiology procedure order - Radiology procedure goes to the Radiant workqueue at the location stated in the order.
- Labs ordered on the body fluid - Orders to be released by radiology staff, then collection documented and sent to lab.
- Blood tests for the patient to have collected on the day of procedure at a lab collection site - Paper requisition will print for blood tests ordered.
Chart Review Notes - New "Prescriber Only" Filter
- Chart Review Notes - New "Prescriber Only" Filter
- Clinical Assistant, Physician Assistant
- Dentist
- Indigenous Healthcare Provider
- Medical Student
- Midwife, Midwifery Student
- Nurse Practitioner, Graduate Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner Student
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist, Pharmacist Student
- Physician
- Podiatric Physician
- Resident
SnapShot Report Modifications
- SnapShot Report Modifications
- Recent Events:
- Gives clinicians a better view of relevant information by showing a vertical timeline view of the patient's recent encounters. For example, they can see if the patient was recently in the ED, visited a specialist, or had other interactions with their care team. From Recent Events, clinicians can:
- View who the visit was with and the primary diagnosis or other relevant reason for visit.
- Open an encounter summary.
- Jump to the Encounters tab of Chart Review to do a more thorough review the patient's recent encounters.
- If the patient hasn't seen the clinician before (or hasn't seen the clinician recently), Recent Events will show recent events in the clinician's specialty or all recent events up to a maximum of 4 in the last 3 years.
- Note: The header for the Recent Events content depends on the user and the specialty of the logged in department; click on the camera icon below to see possible examples.
- Patient’s Last Relevant Note from My Specialty:
- Will show the last Progress Note from the specialty of the logged in department.
- "My Last Note" will still be accessible via the “Last Progress Note” report available in the "Schedule" activity for ambulatory departments.
Glucose Management Tool Improvements
- Glucose Management Tool Improvements
This update makes it easier to identify patients who need diabetes medication review and titration, with colour-coded visual cues and logbook formatting of last/current day POCT glucose results as well as last HbA1C. Double-clicking on the column displays the patient’s Glucose Management Report without exiting out of the Patient List. The report will also be updated to have the logbook formatting.
New CMIO Operational Training Sessions - General Personalization
Starting in October, the CMIO will provide General Personalization sessions for prescribers who have completed their Basic training and End User Proficiency Assessment (EUPA) in previous launches but did not complete a Personalization session or are interested in a Personalization refresher. This general session would most benefit prescribers from Inpatient, Ambulatory, and Surgery specialties; it is not geared towards Anesthesia or Radiology prescribers.
The session will be 2 hours in length, and will help you to be more efficient and organized in the clinical information system (CIS) where appearance, menus, lists, orders, and text automations can be personalized. Covered topics will include personalizing workspace and wrenches, patient lists, orders, SmartPhrases, and In Basket.
Below are the General Personalization sessions scheduled for October 2024:
- October 8, 08:00–10:00
- October 24, 13:00–15:00
To see all dates and to register for a session, visit Bookings - CMIO Operational Training and select “General Personalization“.
Heparin Infusion Order Panel Improvements
- Heparin Infusion Order Panel Enhancements
- Cardiology indications
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) indications
- Stroke indications
Admission and Discharge Notification Updates
- Admission and Discharge Notification Updates
- If a prescriber already has notifications turned on for IP Admission or External Outpatient Visit (i.e., has "Yes" selected under "Receive Message Notifications by Default"; click the camera icon below to see the screenshot), notifications for these additional patient movement events will be turned on by default.
- If a prescriber does not already have notifications turned on for IP Admission or External Outpatient Visit (i.e., has "No" selected under "Receive Message Notifications by Default"), notifications for these additional patient movement events will not be turned on by default.
Clinical Terminology Update - ICD-10 Codes Column [DATE UPDATED]
- Removal of ICD-10 Codes Column in Search
This change is made in alignment with the use and purpose of the terminology content and endorsed by HIM Data Collection, the subject matter experts for ICD coding. The ICD coding information has not been removed from the system and is still accessible as an administrative tool.
Order for Pathologist Consult
- Order for Pathologist Consult
In the order composer, in the "Requested tests" field, click on the search icon and select “Pathologist Consult” (click on the below camera icons to see screenshots). Once the order is entered, a task goes to a pathologist to review the requested pathology case. The pathologist then may add a new consult number or amend the current pathology report. This test will be resulted with the approval or denial of the pathologist consult.
Optimization Training - Classes in September
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 September 2024.
- Notes and Documentation SmartTools
- September 4, 12:00–13:00
- September 11, 12:00–13:00
- September 17, 12:00–13:00
- September 25, 12:00–13:00
- Orders Optimization
- September 10, 09:00–10:00
- September 12, 12:00–13:00
- September 16, 08:00–09:00
- September 17, 12:00–13:00
- September 23, 15:00–16:00
- September 26, 15:00–16:00
- In Basket Management
- September 10, 12:00–13:00
- September 11, 15:00–16:00
- September 17, 11:30–12:30
- September 18, 09:00–10:00
- September 25, 09:00–10:00
- September 26, 12:00–13:00
- *NEW* Anesthesia 4 - Haiku Optimization
- September 24, 12:00–13:00
- Anesthesia Fall Upgrade Preview
- September 3, 16:30–17:30
- September 9, 12:00–13:00
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.