Ophthalmology Update - Strabismus Surgery SmartForm Redesign

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

• Ophthalmology Update - Strabismus Surgery SmartForm Redesign

As of November 4, 2025, the SmartForm that populates the OpNote on strabismus surgeries will have a number of changes (click the camera icon below for a screenshot): 

• Visual reorganization of "Preoperative Diagnosis" items to reduce scrolling 
• Addition of a column to capture units of Botox used per muscle 
• In the "Fixation" technique column, "Full Tendon Plication" added to options 
• All numerical fields standardized, with 2 decimal places 
• "Uncomplicated surgery?" checkbox changed to "Complications?" with a Yes/No selection
• "Complications/Findings of Note" free-text field has been re-captioned "Operative Findings of Note" 
• OpNote print group has been reformatted for optimal readability

These changes were identified and approved by the Ophthalmology Working Group as an optimization priority. 

Parenteral Nutrition Orders (Action Needed) - Additive Dosing Unit Changes, Reminder for DST Ordering

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

• PN Orders (Action Needed) - Additive Dosing Unit Changes, Re-entry Workflow Required Following DST

As of November 3, 2025, new dosing units will be implemented into Parenteral Nutrition (PN) orders to add clarity. In the order composer and elsewhere, the dosing units for select PN additives will now reference the specific elemental additive - for example, when ordering zinc sulfate, the previous "mg" will now be "mg of zinc", to indicate how much elemental zinc (click the camera icon for a screenshot). For these changes to take effect for existing patients on PN, prescribers must re-enter orders from the PN Order Set on November 3, aligning with the standard Fall Daylight Savings Time (DST) order re-assessment and re-entry workflow that is summarized below.

To prepare for the Fall DST change and the launch of updated dosing units for PN additives, action is required by prescribers and dietitians for patients on PN:

• Place 3 single-day PN and/or lipid orders prior to the time change weekend, i.e., Friday, October 31, to prepare for DST.
• Friday's order: Use usual frequency and admin duration (e.g., 24 hours or # cycled hours).
• Saturday’s order: Set the admin duration to 1 hour longer than usual  (e.g., 25 hours or # cycled hours + 1).
• Sunday's order: Use usual frequency and admin duration (e.g., 24 hours or # cycled hours)
• On Monday, November 3, reassess and re-enter all PN orders from the PN Order Sets to enable updated dosing units for PN additives. Resume typical ordering practices.

For more information on PN ordering around DST, see Appendix B in the Quick Start Guide:

• Guide: Parenteral Nutrition Ordering for Dietitian Prescribers

Update to Eating Disorder Admission Order Sets

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

• Update to Eating Disorder Admission Order Sets (Adult and Pediatric)

As of October 21, 2025, the Eating Disorder Admission order sets (Adult and Pediatric versions) have had guidance text updated to align with the Ensure product available on formulary, including the calorie replacement ratio. 

Previously the Diet Instruction to Nursing Order stated "If meal not completed then substitute Ensure 1:1 calories to best estimate". As Ensure Regular is no longer available, the Diet Instruction to Nursing Order has been updated to "If meal not completed then substitute Ensure Plus Calories 1 mL=1.5kcal to best estimate" (click the camera icon to see screenshot of adult version).

New PICU Emergent Order Panels

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

• New PICU Emergent Order Panels

To make ordering these emergency medications easier for prescribers, as of October 21, 2025, the following new order panels are now available (click the camera icons below for screenshots):

• PICU Emergent Intubation Panel
• PICU Admission Emergency Panel

 

Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program Consult

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

• Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program (ACARP) Consult

Previously, a consult to ACARP (previously known as Addiction Recovery and Community Health, ARCH) order was not made available for all sites with access. This has now been fixed, to align with what is available at each site. The ACARP consult order will now appear if the patient is at a location that uses ACARP (click the camera icon for a screenshot). If the location does not use ACARP, the "Consult to Addictions Services" option will instead appear.

Optimization Training - Classes in November

The CMIO Prescriber Experience team offers Optimization classes (a.k.a. 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 typically 60 minutes in length each and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently.

Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for November 2025:

• Dragon Medical One (DMO) Advanced
• November 13, 07:00–08:00
• November 28, 12:00–13:00
• In Basket Management
• November 3, 10:00–11:00
• November 4, 10:30–11:30
• November 14, 13:30–14:30
• November 18, 14:30–15:30
• November 19, 11:30–12:30
• November 26, 13:30–14:30
• Lab Ordering
• November 5, 12:00–13:00
• November 19, 12:00–13:00
• November 26, 12:00–13:00
• Mental Health Act Forms
• November 5, 11:00–12:00
• November 28, 12:00–13:00
• Notes
• November 4, 12:00–13:00
• November 25, 12:00–13:00
• Orders Optimization
• November 4, 10:00–11:00
• November 6, 10:00–11:00
• November 20, 10:00–11:00
• November 28, 12:00–13:00
• SmartTools
• November 6, 12:00–13:00
• November 17, 12:00–13:00
• Therapy Plans
• November 6, 12:00–13:00
• November 13, 15:00–16:00
• November 21, 11:00–12:00
• November 26, 12:00–13:00

Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link (clicking the “Optimization” button at the bottom of any page in the Connect Care Manual will also take you to the booking page). 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

Lab Order Update - Changes to Duplicate Orders Alert

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

• Lab Order Update - Changes to Duplicate Orders Alert

The Duplicate Alert tool is designed to help prescribers in the ambulatory setting avoid unnecessary lab test orders by flagging potential duplicates based on specific criteria. Effective October 21, 2025, enhancements to the tool mean duplicate alerts will now trigger when placing lab orders only when:

• The same test is ordered;
• The order status matches (future vs. standing); and
• The expected or completed dates fall within a 14-day window.

As a result, prescribers should see fewer duplicate alerts than before. Examples: 

• If there is an existing future order and a new future order is placed with an expected date more than 14 days in the future, a duplicate alert will no longer appear. A duplicate alert will continue to appear if the new order is within 14 days. 
• If there is an existing future order and a standing order is placed, a duplicate alert will not appear. 
• If there is an existing standing order and a future order is placed, a duplicate alert will not appear.

The functions of the buttons within the "Potential Duplicate Orders Found" pop-up will remain the same (click the camera icon for a screenshot).

Deactivation of Sputum Induction Airway Inflammation Order

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

• Deactivation of Sputum Induction Airway Inflammation Order

As of October 9, 2025, the Sputum Induction Airway Inflammation order has been deactivated in Connect Care due to discontinuation of its program on August 21, 2025. The order has been removed from personal preference lists, and there is no replacement order. If asthma diagnostic support is needed:

• Contact a Respirologist via Specialist Link.
• Page the on-call Respirologist. 
• Submit an Ambulatory Referral to Pulmonology/Respirology, or an Inpatient Consult to Pulmonology. 

MyChart Antenatal Synopsis Report - Edmonton/Calgary Public Health Antenatal Programs

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

• MyChart Antenatal Synopsis Report for Pregnant Patients with Hypertension, Edmonton/Calgary Public Health Antenatal Programs

As of October 21, 2025, Public Health Antenatal programs in Edmonton and Calgary will begin using the Public Health Antenatal Community Program MyChart Care Companion care plan for identified pregnant women with hypertension. Both inpatient and ambulatory users who care for this population will be able to see information submitted by patients (e.g., blood pressure readings, fetal movement counts) in two places in Connect Care:

• In the "Synopsis" activity - search for the MyChart Antenatal report (click the camera icon below for a screenshot) and use the wrench to ensure the view always displays. 

• In the "Chart Review" activity in the "Episodes" tab, labelled as "MyChart Flowsheet" in the "Type" column.

Anesthesia Update - New Injection Technique Option in Epidural Procedure Note

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

• Anesthesia Update - New "Tunneled" Injection Technique Available in Epidural Procedure Note

As of October 14, 2025, the Epidural Procedure Note will have an additional choice available in the Epidural Block > Injection Technique section, for "tunneled catheter" (click the camera icon for a screenshot).

Tool Tune Up: October 2025 Order Tool Updates

The spreadsheet linked from this post will be updated throughout the month as needed. 
Consider looking back each week.

The spreadsheet linked below details recent or upcoming changes to order tools (e.g., order sets, SmartSets, therapy plans) that may impact prescriber personalization. Note that the link to the spreadsheet remains the same for the year, with a new tab added for each month. 

The spreadsheet is typically updated at the end of each week if any new changes are confirmed/implemented. If the spreadsheet has been updated, a note with the date will be added after the spreadsheet link.

• Spreadsheet: Order Tool Updates - October 2025 
• If you get an error clicking the above link, please right-click to copy the link, and then paste into your browser.
• Tip: See the first "READ ME" tab for an explanation of the spreadsheet's tabs and columns. 

Anesthesia Plan Notewriter Updates

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

• Anesthesia Plan Notewriter Updates

As of October 7, 2025, the following questions in the Anesthesia Plan Notewriter, "Informed Consent" section have had their answers updated to align with the Consent to Surgery/Invasive Procedure form (click the camera icon for a screenshot):

• “Anesthetic plan and risks discussed with”
• “Use of blood products discussed with” 

Rourke Baby Record SmartTexts Updated

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

• Rourke Baby Record SmartTexts Updated

As of October 9, 2025, the Rourke Baby Record SmartTexts have been updated in Connect Care to reflect the most recent version available of the Rourke Baby Record tool. The changes are primarily an improved look and feel. For details of the changes, see:

• Resource: Rourke Baby Record - Highlights of Revisions

Anesthesia Updates - Upcoming Changes to TCI Medications

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

• Anesthesia Updates - Upcoming Changes to Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI) Medications

As of October 2, 2025, the following changes will be made to the TCI Medications workflow within the intraoperative setting for Anesthesia users. 

• TCI Medications will now appear as a dedicated item within the Meds toolkit, rather than as a separate toolkit item.
• Three medications will be available: propofol, remifentanil, and sufentanil (click the camera icon for a screenshot).

• Each medication will have its TCI Model prepopulated appropriately, with the TCI Target set to "Plasma" by default.
• When adding TCI medications or new bags, users must manage weight and dosing hardstops.
• Additional options such as linking the medication to a line and adding comments are available to support documentation and workflow clarity.

We encourage users to submit enhancement requests via ServiceNow tickets to help refine and improve the workflow for Anesthesia.

Tool Tune Up: September 2025 Order Tool Updates

The spreadsheet linked from this post will be updated throughout the month as needed. 
Consider looking back each week.

The spreadsheet linked below details recent or upcoming changes to order tools (e.g., order sets, SmartSets, therapy plans) that may impact prescriber personalization. Note that the link to the spreadsheet remains the same for the year, with a new tab added for each month. 

The spreadsheet is typically updated at the end of each week if any new changes are confirmed/implemented. If the spreadsheet has been updated, a note with the date will be added after the spreadsheet link.

• Spreadsheet: Order Tool Updates - September 2025 [last updated Sep 25]
• Tip: See the first "READ ME" tab for an explanation of the spreadsheet's tabs and columns. 

Optimization Training - Classes in October

The CMIO Prescriber Experience team offers Optimization classes (a.k.a. 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 typically 60 minutes in length each and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently.

Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for October 2025:

• Dragon Medical One (DMO) Advanced
• October 9, 12:00–13:00
• October 28, 12:00–13:00
• In Basket Management
• October 1, 10:00–11:00
• October 7, 12:00–13:00
• October 21, 14:30–15:30
• October 24, 09:00–10:00
• October 29, 13:30–14:30
• October 30, 12:00–13:00
• Lab Ordering
• October 8, 12:00–13:00
• October 22, 12:00–13:00
• Mental Health Act Forms
• October 8, 12:00–13:00
• Notes
• October 9, 12:00–13:00
• October 14, 12:00–13:00
• Orders Optimization
• October 1, 12:00–13:00
• October 7, 10:00–11:00
• October 14, 12:00–13:00
• SmartTools
• October 7, 12:00–13:00
• October 17, 12:00–13:00
• Therapy Plans
• October 10, 13:00–14:00
• October 21, 12:00–13:00

Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link (clicking the “Optimization” button at the bottom of any page in the Connect Care Manual will also take you to the booking page). 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

Normal Newborn Order Set Changes

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

• Normal Newborn Order Set Changes

As of September 18, 2025, a number of changes will go live that affect Normal Newborn order sets. The changes will break existing personalization, so prescribers will need to re-personalize their affected order sets. 

The following changes apply to the Normal Newborn Nursery Admission order set and, for the last two changes, also to the Normal Newborn Nursery Medications and Immunizations order set (click here for screenshots):

1. Admit Order: Updated to “Admit to Nursery” with "Level of care" defaulted to “Newborn Healthy”, to support hospital billing processes.
2. Vital Signs – Assisted Birth: Renamed to “Vital Signs for Infants at Risk of Subgaleal Hemorrhage”, to align with the new guideline Monitoring Infant for Subgaleal Hemorrhage.
3. Vital Signs Frequency – All Vital Signs: All references to “Every Shift” have been changed to “Every 8 Hours”.
4. Vital Signs – Infants less than 37 Weeks Gestation: This order is now pre-selected if the patient is less than 37 weeks gestation. 
5. Weight Orders: Simplified to two options:
• Weigh at birth. Switch to daily weights if the newborn is at risk (e.g., SGA, less than 37 weeks, hyperbilirubinemia/ phototherapy, feeding difficulties beyond typical newborn feeding).
• Weigh at 48 hours of age if the infant remains admitted.
6. Head Circumference Orders: Updated to align with the Monitoring Infant for Subgaleal Hemorrhage guideline. 
7. Glucose Meter POCT Orders: Split into two separate orders, to clarify testing for symptomatic vs. at-risk neonates.
8. Congenital Heart Defect Screening Order (optional order): Updated for clarity.
9. EHDI Hearing Screening Order: Removed due to an alternate workflow for identifying infants needing screening.
10. Oral Sucrose Dosing: Changed from 1 mL to 0.2 mL. 
11. Hepatitis B Vaccine Orders: Frequency changed to “during hospitalization”, to align with pharmacy workflow and prevent automatic dispensing. “Administer as soon as possible within 12 hours of birth” has been added to the comments.

For questions or concerns regarding these changes, contact ClinicalSystemImprovement@ahs.ca. Note parallel changes will also be made to the Nursing/Allied Health – Well Newborn Admission Protocol order set.

If you need help re-personalizing the order set, please call the AHS Help Desk or submit a ticket within Connect Care requesting assistance.

Med Pass Nutrition Orders Replaced with NutraPass Orders

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

• Med Pass Nutrition Orders Replaced with NutraPass Orders

As of September 16, 2025, Med Pass orders will be replaced with two NutraPass orders: NutraPass: Ensure Advance and NutraPass: Resource 2.0. Order sets will be updated with the new orders and defaults maintained, and the old Med Pass orders will be automatically removed from preference lists. Relevant synonyms are also set up to guide users to the new orders.

Prescriber actions for this change:

• Favourite the new NutraPass orders to add to preference lists. 
• Delete any active Med Pass orders and enter NutraPass orders.

For more information:

• Guide: Diet Order Entry
• Toolkit: Sips to Stop Malnutrition - NutraPass Program

Updates to Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Order

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

• Updates to Availability of Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Order

To align the Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation order with areas where services are provided and ensure that inpatient consult orders only exist in facilities where that service is provided using the consult order process, as of September 16, 2025, there will be two versions of the order:

• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – specific services
• Populates a patient list monitored by the service
• Available only at locations where services are offered
• Available orders (click the camera icon below for an example screenshot):
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Amputation
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Brain Injury
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Burns
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – General Neurorehabilitation
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Musculoskeletal
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Spinal Cord Injury
• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Stroke

• Inpatient Consult to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – General
• Populates a patient list monitored by Rehab Navigators in all zones
• Available at all locations where services are not offered orders are monitored by Rehabilitation Navigators’ Team

If any issues related to this change arise, please log a Service Now ticket.

Updates to Inpatient Adult CVAD Locking Order Panel and CVAD Care Therapy Plan

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

• Updates to Adult CVAD Locking Order Panel and CVAD Care Therapy Plan

To support consistent practice and reduce variability in vascular access device management, AHS is transitioning from the standardized use of medicated locking solutions to Sodium Chloride 0.9% lock solution as the preferred locking solution for Central Vascular Access Devices (CVADs). As of September 16, 2025, the Adult CVAD Locking Solution Order Panel and the CVAD Care Therapy Plan are being updated to incorporate the following changes (click the camera icon below for a screenshot):

• Prescriber guidance has been added to the Adult CVAD Locking Solution panel to support transitions to medicated locking solutions (plus clinical guidance and algorithm links).
• The Sodium Chloride 0.9% flush order has been removed from the CVAD Care Therapy Plan.
• A new pre-selected nursing communication order has been added to both ordering tools, supporting the use of Sodium Chloride 0.9% flushes without a prescriber order. (Additionally, a link to the CVAD Medicated Locking Solution Algorithm has been included to support nurses' decision-making when transitioning to medicated locking solutions.)

These updates aim to streamline workflows, support nursing autonomy, and ensure alignment with best practice standards.

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 June 2025 the second 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 September 17, 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.

• Chart Correction Requests
• Letter Queue
• Note Routing - IP ROUTING
• Overdue Rslt
• Patient Clinical Update 
• Patient Questionnaire Submission 
• Radiology Messages
• Referral Message
• Referral Notification Letter
• Result Notes
• Staff Message

Please note that while the messages are removed from users’ In Basket view, they are still retrievable for 60 days (i.e., until November 17; see the FAQ blog post on how to retrieve) before being purged from the system. Afterward, all messages will still be retained in databases in case they need to be retrieved in the future for legal/privacy/etc. investigation, but messages cannot be retrieved this way for individual users.

Furthermore, any messages that users postponed utilizing "Follow up" functionality will be included in the auto-expiry rule only after the date the message comes back to the My Messages space.

For more information on In Basket, please see the CMIO's In Basket Management Guide:

• Guide: In Basket Management - CMIO

Massive Hemorrhage Protocol (MHP) Order Sets - Updates

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

• Updates to the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Order Sets

As of September 16, 2025, there will be several improvements made to the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol (MHP) order sets in Connect Care, including revised naming and application of site restrictors.

• Updated Naming: Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Adult and Pediatric order sets will now be named:
• Massive Hemorrhage Protocol (Greater than or equal to 50 kg)
• Massive Hemorrhage Protocol (Less than 50 kg)
• Updated Availability:
• Both order sets will be fully available at the 16 sites across the province that support the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol.
• At all other sites, if the order set is selected, only guidance text will be visible, indicating that the site does not support the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol. There will be a link directing prescribers to Managing a Hemorrhaging Patient Protocol – Rural and Suburban Sites.

Lab Order Update - Expiring Lab Orders [Updated]

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

• Lab Order Update - Expiring Lab Orders

As of July 17, 2025, expiring repeating inpatient lab orders will now show up in the "Expiring Orders" section of the Orders activity 3 days before they expire. Quick buttons can be used to renew, modify, discontinue, or let expire these orders (click the camera icon below for a screenshot). 

• As before, any lab orders expired TODAY will show under the "Expired Orders" section. These expired orders will have quick buttons for reordering or discontinuing.  
• All other expired lab orders will require a new order.  

Update (Sep 10): There is now a column available in Patient Lists that displays repeating labs that are expiring within 2 days, "Expiring Repeating Lab 2d". 

Hazardous Medication Alerts for Ambulatory Patients

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

• KNOWN Hazardous Medication Storyboard Alerts

As previously posted, an alert was recently introduced in Connect Care to identify non-ambulatory patients receiving hazardous medications, as phase 1 of integrating hazardous medication identification into Connect Care. As of August 26, 2025, phase 2 has expanded the KNOWN hazardous medication alert to ambulatory settings.

• The KNOWN Hazard Medication Storyboard Alert informs healthcare providers that the patient has received a KNOWN hazard medication, and they are within the precautionary period. This alert enables healthcare providers to be aware that PPE will be required based on the task they are performing. 
• Providers should consult the AHS/COV Hazardous Medication PPE Guide to determine the type of PPE required.
• The alert will appear on the patient's Storyboard given one of the following scenarios:
• A KNOWN hazard medication has been administered on the patient’s MAR.
• A KNOWN hazard medication is identified on the patient’s home medication list.  
• The alert will remain active until: 
• the indicated precautionary period has passed (if the medication was administered through the MAR); or
• the medication has been discontinued, cancelled, or expired. 

The Provincial Hazardous Medication Committee (PHMC) plans to send out a survey in the fall to allow healthcare providers to provide their feedback on the alert and whether the alert meets their needs, especially those who do not have access to the MAR. In the interim, any questions about the alert can be sent via a Service Now ticket.

For more information, see:

• FAQ: KNOWN Hazard Medication Storyboard Alert
• Insite: Hazardous Medication Handling
• Contact: hazardousmedication@ahs.ca 

Tool Tune Up: August 2025 Order Tool Updates

The spreadsheet linked from this post will be updated throughout the month as needed. 
Consider looking back each week.

The spreadsheet linked below details recent or upcoming changes to order tools (e.g., order sets, SmartSets, therapy plans) that may impact prescriber personalization. Note that the link to the spreadsheet remains the same for the year, with a new tab added for each month. 

The spreadsheet is typically updated at the end of each week if any new changes are confirmed/implemented. If the spreadsheet has been updated, a note with the date will be added after the spreadsheet link.

• Spreadsheet: Order Tool Updates - August 2025 [spreadsheet last updated August 28]
• Tip: See the first "READ ME" tab for an explanation of the spreadsheet's tabs and columns. 

Results Routing Change for After-Discharge Orders Placed During an Inpatient Encounter

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

• Results Routing Change for After-Discharge Orders Placed During an Inpatient Encounter

As of August 28, 2025, results for after-discharge ambulatory orders placed during an inpatient encounter (e.g., in the Discharge navigator or External Orders) will route to the Authorizing Provider instead of the last Attending. There is no change to results coming back post-discharge that were collected during the admission.

• If the Authorizing Provider is also the Attending, there will be no change observed. 
• Other prescribers placing orders to be performed and followed up after discharge will now receive results directly.

For more information about the ongoing Connect Care Results Routing Optimization, see the 1-pager.

Optimization Training - Classes in September

The CMIO Prescriber Experience team offers Optimization classes (a.k.a. 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 typically 60 minutes in length each and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently.

Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for September 2025:

• Dragon Medical One (DMO) Advanced
• September 16, 12:00–13:00
• September 24, 12:00–13:00
• In Basket Management
• September 11, 08:00–09:00
• September 16, 10:00–11:00
• September 17, 13:00–14:00
• September 23, 14:30–15:30
• September 25, 11:30–12:30
• Mental Health Act Forms
• September 10, 12:00–13:00
• September 29, 12:00–13:00
• Notes
• September 9, 12:00–13:00
• September 24, 12:00–13:00
• Orders Optimization
• September 16, 11:30–12:30
• September 18, 12:00–13:00
• September 22, 10:00–11:00
• September 25, 10:00–11:00
• September 29, 10:00–11:00
• SmartTools
• September 8, 12:00–13:00
• September 23, 12:00–13:00
• Therapy Plans
• September 11, 11:00–12:00
• September 23, 14:30–15:30
• Anesthesia (These classes do not have to be done in chronological order, and each covers different topics)
• Anesthesia Optimization 1 - Intraprocedural Workflows
• September 12, 11:00–12:00
• Anesthesia Optimization 2 - Working with Anesthesia Records
• September 18, 12:00–13:00
• Anesthesia Optimization 3 - Personalizing Macros
• September 24, 15:00–16:00

Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link (clicking the “Optimization” button at the bottom of any page in the Connect Care Manual will also take you to the booking page). 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

Outpatient Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram Order - New Hard Stop

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

• Outpatient Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram Order - New Hard Stop

As of August 18, 2025, a new hard stop question will be added to the outpatient Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (DSE) order. The ordering provider will be prompted to review the patient's current medications and, if they determine that any of those medications should be held prior to the exam, they will then be prompted to provide a list of those medications as well as a time frame of when the patient can begin to hold those medications (click the camera icon below for a screenshot). 

Inpatient DSE orders will not include this hard stop.

Ketorolac Injection/Oral Ibuprofen Drug Stewardship Initiative - Connect Care Changes

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

• Ketorolac Injection/Oral Ibuprofen Drug Stewardship Initiative - Connect Care Changes

A drug stewardship initiative aimed at reducing the unnecessary prescribing of ketorolac injection for pain management in adult patients who can tolerate oral medication was implemented July 29, 2025. This initiative also promotes the use of lower ketorolac injection and oral ibuprofen doses. Although this initiative primarily targets EDs and urgent care centres, there are a few associated changes in Connect Care that will impact other programs as well, as listed below: 

Key points of initiative:

• Ketorolac injection is associated with higher risks and costs than oral ibuprofen, without providing better pain relief.
• Oral ibuprofen 400 mg instead of ketorolac injection should be used in adult patients who can tolerate oral medication.
• If ketorolac injection is required, a 10 mg to 15 mg dose is recommended as higher doses do not improve pain relief but can cause more adverse effects. 

Associated Connect Care configuration changes: 

• Changes to medication (ERX) records, when searching from browse/quicklist:
• Ketorolac injection: The default dose has changed from 30 mg to 10 mg. The 30 mg dose button has been removed and an 10 mg dose button added.
• Ibuprofen oral: The 600 mg dose button has been removed. The default dose will continue to be 200 mg.
• Changes to order sets that currently have a default dose for ketorolac injection or oral ibuprofen:
• ED order set authors have been notified of the above ketorolac injection and oral ibuprofen ERX record changes, and requests have been made for them to update their order sets as appropriate.
• Surgery order set authors will be notified of the above ketorolac injection and oral ibuprofen ERX record changes and will be asked to update their order sets as appropriate.

For more information, see the below resources from AHS Pharmacy Services:

• Newsletter: Drugs and Therapeutics Backgrounder (Issue 49, June 2025)
• Poster: Ketorolac Injection vs. Oral Ibuprofen

UPDATED: Hazardous Medication Alerts for Non-Ambulatory Patients

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

• Hazardous Medication Storyboard Alerts

On May 5, 2025, an alert in Connect Care was introduced to identify patients receiving hazardous medications. This alert was available to inpatient departments and multi-function departments that serve both inpatient and outpatient contexts. Since the alert was launched, feedback has been received requesting streamlined workflows, reduced alert fatigue, and visibility of the KNOWN hazard medication alert in non-encounter views. 

As of August 6, 2025, the following changes will be made to the hazardous medication alert:

• Storyboard will now display only KNOWN Hazard Medication alerts, visible in both encounter and non-encounter views (click the camera icon to see screenshots). 

• POTENTIAL and REPRODUCTIVE hazard medication alerts will no longer be identified on the Storyboard.  
• When handling blood or body fluids from patients receiving POTENTIAL or REPRODUCTIVE hazard medications, refer to the AHS/COV Hazardous Medication PPE Guide to determine the required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• For patients admitted to inpatients and who had received a KNOWN Hazard Medication at home or in the community, the system will use the admit date as the assumed last dose date to calculate the precautionary period timeline.

KNOWN hazard medication alerts will remain active until: the indicated precautionary period has passed (if the medication was administered through the MAR); the medication has been discontinued, cancelled, or expired (by a patient report or an authorized community prescriber); or the admit date to calculate the precautionary period has passed. Non-prescribers will continue to be able to see the KNOWN, POTENTIAL, or REPRODUCTIVE hazardous medication alerts in other locations, including lab specimen labels. 

This change is phase 1 of integrating hazardous medication identification into Connect Care; phase 2 will expand identification to all other departments, with implementation planned for a future date.

For more information, see the FAQ:

• FAQ: KNOWN Hazard Medication Storyboard Alert