Connect Care Support Forum

Duplicate Insulin Orders - New BPA

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

Duplicate Insulin Orders - Warnings Removed, New BPA

As of July 30, 2024, the previous duplicate medication warnings that appeared when modifying or placing new/additional insulin orders will no longer be displayed. These duplicate medication warnings do not align with safe practice, and often fire when placing orders that are appropriate. A new Best Practice Advisory (BPA) will instead fire when placing new/additional insulin orders that are a true duplicate of an order already on the patient’s file (click on below camera icon to see screenshot).

The BPA is configured to use the type of insulin, type of order (i.e., bolus vs. correction) and frequency to meet the criteria to fire.
The prescriber can choose to "Keep" or "Remove" the new order, and "Discontinue" or "Keep" the active order currently on file.
The BPA cannot be suppressed, and will fire again if placing another true duplicate order.

New SmartLinks Available for Scores and Results

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

New SmartLinks Available

"SmartLinks" are a text-automation tool available in Connect Care. When a SmartLink "token" is inserted into documentation (notes or templates), it pulls health information (e.g., problem lists, medication lists, vitals) from the health record, replacing the token with the desired information.

Built on request of a Connect Care prescriber, other prescribers may find the below new SmartLinks useful to save as a personalization. To use in a note, ensure you type a dot followed by the token, as shown below; to use in a SmartPhrase, type an "@" before and after the token (no dot).

AHS CIWA TOTAL SCORE LAST 5 READINGS

SmartLink: .GIMCIWA72HRX5
Description: Pulls in the patient's total score of the last 5 readings entered within the last 72 hours for the 10-item CIWA alcohol withdrawal assessment.

AHS COW SCORE TOTAL LAST 5 READINGS

SmartLink: .GIMCOWS72HRX5
Description: Pulls in the patient's total score of the last 5 readings entered within the last 72 hours for the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal assessment.

AHS BLADDER SCANS 72 HRS LAST 5 READINGS

SmartLink: .RESIDUALURINEX5
Description: Pulls in the patient's last 5 readings entered within the last 72 hours for bladder scans/post-void residuals.

AHS LAB RESULTS 7 DAY LOOK BACK

SmartLink: .LABRESULTS7D
Description: Can be used to construct SmartPhrases to bring in specific last results from the last 7 days (e.g., a SmartPhrase to bring in Hepatic Panel Results from the last 7 days). Requires specifying the appropriate name of the lab wanted.

AHS LAB RESULTS 3 DAY LOOK BACK

SmartLink: .LABRESULTS3D
Description: Can be used to construct SmartPhrases to bring in specific last results from the last 3 days (e.g., a SmartPhrase to bring in Renal Results from the last 3 days). Requires specifying the appropriate name of the lab wanted.

For more information on other approved SmartLinks in Connect Care, see:

Referral Order Changes

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

Significant Improvements to Referrals

The Connect Care Referrals Taskforce has been working over the last several months to make improvements to referrals for both senders and receivers. In 2023, over 1.12 million referrals were ordered and transcribed into Connect Care; higher than expected rates of decline and missing information in the referrals resulted in delayed access to specialty care. Several items have been identified as contributing to poor quality referrals, and therefore, as of July 23, 2024 (between 12:00 and 13:00), a number of changes will be seen in referral orders, including the following.

The Reference Links section has been organized to ensure only applicable links to referral criteria are listed.

When a Resident is ordering a referral, they will see a new hard stop question that will require them to indicate who the referring provider is (click on camera icon to see screenshot). The answer will then auto-populate the "Referral - By Provider" field upon signing, if it had not already been filled out.

A "Scheduling Instructions" section has been made visible and should be used by prescribers to communicate to clerical staff where they would like an outgoing referral sent. Staff processing referrals will be able to find these scheduling instructions in a new column in the Referral Workqueues and in the Workqueue summary report.

Quality Referral Evolution (QuRE) content in the form of specific questions have been incorporated.

Ambulatory referral orders for Neurology, Gastroenterology, and Colon Cancer Screening will be updated with various changes including custom specialty reference links, optimized speed buttons, and cascading questions specific to specialty criteria, to ensure the referral orders include required information for effective and efficient triaging. Users may be required to re-personalize preference lists and order/Smart sets containing previous versions of the ambulatory referral orders, to ensure the updated version is used.

Optimization Training - Classes in August

We previously posted that the CMIO Training team is now offering 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 August 2024.

Notes and Documentation SmartTools

August 8, 12:00–13:00
August 13, 12:00–13:00
August 20, 12:00–13:00
August 28, 12:00–13:00

Orders Optimization

August 7, 12:00–13:00
August 13, 12:00–13:00
August 15, 08:00–09:00
August 19, 09:00–10:00
August 22, 09:00–10:00

In Basket Management

August 8, 12:00–13:00
August 13, 09:00–10:00
August 13, 11:30–12:30
August 14, 10:00–11:00
August 19, 11:00–12:00
August 20, 11:30–12:30
August 27, 08:30–09:30
August 29, 16:00–17:00

Anesthesia 3 - Macro Optimization

August 1, 16:00–17:00
August 13, 16:00–17:00
August 20, 16:00–17:00

Anesthesia Fall Upgrade Review

August 27, 16:30–17:30
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.

In Basket Update - Inpatient Cosign Notes Folder

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

Removal of Defer Button from Cosign Notes Folder

As of July 12, 2024, in In Basket, the "Defer" button that appears when within the inpatient "Cosign Notes" folder will be removed (click on the camera icon to see a screenshot). Previously, clicking on this button to indicate that the provider was not the appropriate cosigner would cause an error.

If you receive a request for cosign in error, either reply to the sender to indicate you are not the appropriate cosigner, or forward to the appropriate provider (if known).

Medication Ordering Update - "In Dialysis" Frequencies

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

Changes to "In Dialysis" Frequencies

Historically, the “in dialysis” frequencies for ordering medications were only intended for outpatient use within the dialysis Therapy Plan. When “in dialysis” frequencies were used to order medications for admitted patients, the orders were cancelled after a single use. To streamline medication ordering workflows (especially for antibiotics), as of July 2, 2024, all existing “in dialysis” frequencies used for medication ordering have been updated for Therapy Plan use ONLY and the following five new “in dialysis" frequencies were created for inpatient use ONLY:

3 times per week, in dialysis (for Inpatient Use ONLY)
2 times per week, in dialysis (for Inpatient Use ONLY)
Weekly, in dialysis (for Inpatient Use ONLY)
Every 24 hours, on unit or in dialysis on HD days (for Inpatient Use ONLY)
Once, in dialysis (for Inpatient Use ONLY)

When patients on hemodialysis are admitted to the hospital, medications should be ordered in the following areas in Connect Care:

Inpatient Orders:

Supportive Medications (e.g., dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine)
Chronic medications scheduled in dialysis except anemia management medications (e.g., IV calcitriol or IV levocarnitine)
Parenteral antibiotics

Hemodialysis Therapy Plan:

Anemia management medications (parenteral iron, epoetin and darbepoetin)
Intradialytic anticoagulation (e.g., tinzaparin and heparin)

For further details, see:

Ambulatory HOD Progress Note - Update to Display Time

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

Ambulatory HOD Progress Note Display Time

As of July 9, 2024, progress notes created in ambulatory Hospital Outpatient Department (HOD) encounters will display the note creation time instead of the appointment time (click the camera icon below to see a screenshot). This matches the time displayed in non-HOD encounter progress notes.

Removal of Department Login Restriction

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

Removal of Provider Department Login Restriction

When logging in to Connect Care, one must select a "department" (not the same as a clinical department), which affects how the system looks and behaves. Because prescribers often work in many places, zonal "virtual departments" were created to simplify logons to settings sharing a common specialty.

Some workflows, such as prescriber specimen collections, must be anchored to a physical location (department) in order for requisitions, label printing and other functions to work properly. Accordingly, as of July 3, 2024, prescribers have the option of logging on to either physical or virtual departments.

Potential impact of this change include:

Inpatient and most outpatient prescribers should log on as usual, typically to a virtual department.
Outpatient prescribers involved in department-dependent workflows (e.g., in-clinic biopsies) should confirm their local department name and log on to that context.
All prescribers will encounter longer lists at logon... still searchable with completion matching.
The most recently used department names will appear at the top of the search list, making it easier to quickly select the right context.

More information:

Lab Arterial Blood Gas Order Change

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

Lab Arterial Blood Gas Order Change

As of June 25, 2024, the lab arterial blood gas (ABG) order will have a couple changes, replacing the manual paper transcribed process used for home oxygen funding requirements.

An "Oxygen Level" order question will be added, with the options being "On Current Therapy", "On Room Air", and "On Specified Therapy (Oxygen/Ventilation)" (click on below camera icon to see screenshot). This will let the Respiratory Therapist know what oxygen level the patient should be on when the collection occurs.

If more information is needed, the "Comments" field underneath the question can be used.
If “On Specified Therapy” is selected, a cascading question will appear, to add what the specified therapy should be.

Two collection questions will be added, for the Respiratory Therapist to enter: "FiO2 level at time of collection (%)" and "Oxygen litre flow at time of collection (L/min)" (click on left camera icon to see screenshot). These values will then be reported as part of the ABG result (click on right camera icon to see screenshot).

Optimization Training - Classes in July

Below are the Optimization classes scheduled for July 2024.

In Basket Management

July 9, 12:00–13:00
July 9, 15:00–16:00
July 11, 10:00–11:00
July 15, 12:00–13:00
July 16, 09:00–10:00
July 17, 08:30–09:30
July 17, 12:00–13:00
July 23, 08:30–09:30
July 23, 15:30–16:30
July 31, 11:00–12:00

Notes and Documentation SmartTools

July 3, 12:00–13:00
July 9, 12:00–13:00
July 19, 12:00–13:00
July 24, 12:00–13:00
July 30, 12:00–13:00

Orders Optimization

July 9, 10:00–11:00
July 11, 09:00–10:00
July 16, 12:00–13:00
July 18, 08:00–09:00
July 23, 12:00–13:00

Anesthesia 3 - Macro Optimization

July 2, 16:00–17:00
July 14, 18:00–19:00
July 23, 16:00–17:00
July 30, 16:00–17:00

Updates to ERAS Major Head and Neck Cancer Surgery with Free Flap Reconstruction Postprocedure Adult Order Set

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

Updates to ERAS Major Head and Neck Cancer Surgery with Free Flap Reconstruction Postprocedure Adult order set

[Edited June 18: Change date moved from June 18 to June 25]

As of June 25, 2024, there will be extensive changes to the ERAS Major Head and Neck Cancer Surgery with Free Flap Reconstruction Postprocedure Adult order set in Connect Care. These changes are the result of provincial Head and Neck SMEs and the ERAS team working collaboratively over the past 18 months.

The extensive changes will affect personalizations to the entire order set, including the "Diet and Nutrition", "Height and Weight", "Patient Care Assessments", "Patient Teaching", "Urinary Catheter", "Other Drains", "Tracheostomy Care", "Wound Management", "Notify", "IV Fluids", "VTE Prophylaxis", "Anticoagulants", "Analgesics and Antipyretics", "Antiemetics", and "Consults" sections.

Updates to Urology Postprocedure Analgesics

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

Updates to Urology Postprocedure Adult order set - Analgesics

Since December 2023, the evidence-based “Standard Analgesic Adult” panel has been available to order using browse or the facility list and, as previously posted, some surgery order sets will be changing to incorporate this panel. As of June 18, 2024, the Urology Postprocedure Adult order set will change to incorporate the Standard Analgesic Adult panel in place of the current "Analgesics/Antipyretics" section. "Naloxone" and "Adjuvant" sections will also be added. This will affect personalizations applied to the Analgesics/Antipyretics section in the order set.

Moderate to severe acute postsurgical pain is best managed using a combination of scheduled non-opioid analgesics and PRN opioids. For further information about optimal pain management plans for surgical patients, see the following resources:

Now Available - Dragon Medical One Training Sessions

A new standalone, 1-hour training session on the Connect Care in-system dictation system, Dragon Medical One (DMO), is now available, for both new and active Connect Care prescribers.

This session is for prescribers who have completed their Basic training (via Independent Learning or Instructor Led Training) as well as their End User Proficiency Assessment (EUPA) in their respective track (specialty), and therefore have access to the PRD (live) environment in Connect Care.
The session will focus on opening DMO, pairing your Power Mic Mobile (PMM), using voice commands, dictating text into many parts of the chart, and triggering text automations that speed documentation processes.

Upcoming dates in the next couple of weeks are below; sessions in July and August are also already scheduled. To see all available dates and to register for an upcoming session, visit the Bookings - CMIO Operational Training page and select "Dragon Medical One (DMO) Basic".

June 17, 2024, 07:00-08:00
June 21, 2024, 12:00-13:00
June 26, 2024, 16:00-17:00

For more information, see Connect Care Training - DMO.

Update - DI Appointment Provider Notification

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

Changes to DI appointment notifications sent to ordering providers

As of June 10, 2024, the Diagnostic Imaging (DI) notification of appointment that Connect Care generates and sends to the Connect Care ordering provider will no longer include the patient portion. Connect Care generates these notifications if the appointment is booked more than 48 hours from time of scheduling, and sends them to the ordering provider via fax and In Basket. The provider notifications include appointment details and preparation instructions; prior to this change, the provider notifications also included a copy of the notification letter that is sent by DI to the patient.

Over the past 4 years, DI has received feedback requesting to turn off faxes and/or In Basket notifications. At this time, Connect Care cannot differentiate between an AHS Connect Care provider and a community provider, so faxes and/or In Basket messaging cannot be turned off for only a sub-set of providers. However, to minimize the length of these provider notifications, the patient portion of the provider notification will be removed (i.e., from notifications sent to both Connect Care providers and community providers).

This change is expected to reduce the total number of pages for each faxed notification by 1 to 3 pages (click on the camera icon below to see a screenshot of an example notification - the red X indicates the portion that will be removed). Patients will continue to receive appointment details and preparation requirements directly from DI by phone, mail, or MyAHS Connect.

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Week 4

This combined posting is updated throughout the fourth week of launch support, accumulating needs raised in prescriber huddles, with links to support information. Consider looking back each day.

(Note: Emails from our subscription service show the original version of the post, and so will not show any updates in the body of the email - click the link in the email to see the up-to-date web version.)

Prescriber Support

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 08:00–18:00 Monday–Friday this week (May 27–31). The Virtual Drop-in will then remain open the first two weeks of June with slightly reduced hours.
For details on how to access the Virtual Drop-in, including updated hours and posters, see launchhelp.connect-care.ca.

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.
Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Reminder: Key Launch 8 Workflows and Updates

To prepare for Launch 8, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
A Launch 8 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:

Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow changes
Results routing changes for inpatient pathology and Continuing Care
Referral and immunization workflow changes related to Population and Public Health programs going live
Continuing Care/Long-term Care workflow changes

Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Week 3

This combined posting is updated throughout the third week of launch support, accumulating needs raised in prescriber huddles, with links to support information. Consider looking back each day.

Patient Movement - Separating IFT Orders from Other Signed/Held Orders

Orders may be signed and held for a variety of reasons (e.g., Interfacility Transfer [IFT], upcoming surgery or procedure), and it is often appropriate for patients/clients to have multiple set of signed and held orders.
When viewing and releasing signed and held orders, it is important to release only those orders which are intended for your context (place and time). IFT orders have a specific phase of care (instructions on when to release) attached to them. This can help differentiate IFT orders from other signed and held orders.
Further details including screenshots are available on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Connect Care Manual, at the bottom of the "Interfacility Transfer workflow changes" section.

Prescriber Support

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 remainder of the month. Hours for this week are below:

May 20–24 (Monday–Friday): 08:00–20:00
May 25–26 (Saturday–Sunday): 09:00–17:00

For details on how to access the Virtual Drop-in, including updated hours and posters, see launchhelp.connect-care.ca.

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.
Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Reminder: Key Launch 8 Workflows and Updates

To prepare for Launch 8, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
A Launch 8 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:

Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow changes
Results routing changes for inpatient pathology and Continuing Care
Referral and immunization workflow changes related to Population and Public Health programs going live
Continuing Care/Long-term Care workflow changes

Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Week 2

This combined posting is updated throughout the second week of launch support, accumulating needs raised in prescriber huddles, with links to support information. Consider looking back each day.

NEW: Continuing Care Updates

A new Best Practice Advisory (BPA) will now fire if a medication/lab/DI order should be placed as an external (rather than internal) order.
New columns in the patient list will now let nurses and care managers know when new orders are entered. With this change, nursing communication orders no longer need to be entered for new external orders.
Details are available on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Connect Care Manual.

Prescriber Support

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 remainder of the month. Hours are 08:00–20:00 this long weekend, as well as next week.

May 13–17: 07:00–20:00
May 18–20 (long weekend): 08:00–20:00

For details on how to access the Virtual Drop-in, including updated hours and posters, see launchhelp.connect-care.ca.

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.
Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Reminder: Key Launch 8 Workflows and Updates

To prepare for Launch 8, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
A Launch 8 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:

Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow changes
Results routing changes for inpatient pathology and Continuing Care
Referral and immunization workflow changes related to Population and Public Health programs going live
Continuing Care/Long-term Care workflow changes

Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).

Respiratory Viral Infection Ordering Changes

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

Respiratory Viral Infection Ordering Changes

As of May 13, 2024, ordering of rapid COVID-19 PCR, rapid influenza/RSV PCR, and the respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) via the “Respiratory Infection (incl. COVID-19) NAT” order will be changed in Connect Care, to improve test utilization and simplify the ordering process. Prescribers who have the order in their personal preference list will need to add it again, as the old version will be removed.

To order these tests, indicate the reason for testing (symptomatic, infection control screen or pre-transplant testing) and the patient location/disposition, as well as the testing required. As resources for rapid on-site testing are limited, answering accurately whether the patient is admitted or is likely to be admitted is very important to ensure the sustainability of the rapid COVID-19 and rapid influenza/RSV testing program.

Rapid COVID-19 testing will be automatically selected by default; select to Flu/RSV or RPP testing, if indicated. To place an order for the RPP, indicate the RPP criteria met.

Rapid Influenza and RSV NAT will no longer be available from June 1 to September 30 (subject to change based on virus activity). Influenza and RSV will continue to be orderable using the RPP, provided criteria are indicated for testing. Rapid COVID-19 PCR will still be available throughout the year.

For more information, see the lab bulletin and tip sheet:

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Day 7

Daily postings on this channel address needs raised in prescriber huddles, with links to support information. Content is published by 17:30; any additional hot topics after this time will be posted the following day. Consider looking back at the previous day's posting.

Prescriber Support

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 remainder of the month. Hours from now until May 19 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.

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.
Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Day 5

Public Health Immunizations in Inpatient Settings

The process for having Public Health nurses deliver immunizations to patients in acute care facilities has changed as of Launch 8.
Previously done via fax, the referral must now be done in system. A new tip sheet provides instructions on entering the referral.

Continuing Care Admission without Interfacility Transfer Orders

A Connect Care launch brings with it many new transfer workflows for both sending and receiving sites. During this transition, it is possible that a sending prescriber will incorrectly use the Discharge navigator to transfer the patient, rather than the correct Interfacility Transfer navigator. This will result in orders being discontinued, rather than signed and held for the receiving site.
Orders can be reordered efficiently at the receiving site using "Restart from Previous Admission" in the Admission navigator. See the new tip sheet for details.

External vs. Internal Orders - Lab and DI (Note: Yesterday's entry on this item had errors and has now been corrected)

Launch 8 sites Islay Assisted Living, Galahad Care Centre, Drumheller Health Centre, Serenity House (Drayton Valley), St. Mary’s Health Care Centre LTC (Trochu), and Killam Health Care Centre should place lab orders as inpatient orders. The lab will use a Rover workflow for collections. All other Launch 8 sites should place lab orders as external orders.

To order in-province external labs, use the "Lab to Collect" class. The "Third Party" class should only be used for out-of-province (in-province labs do not see those orders).

All Launch 8 sites should place DI orders as external orders, except for general X-ray orders for Killam Health Care Centre, which should be entered as inpatient orders. (Previously launched sites should not change their workflows.)

To order external DI procedures, see the FAQ for more information.

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.

New tip sheets added:

Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Day 4

Interfacility Transfers (IFTs)

To transfer a patient to any other site (IFT), including Continuing Care (Long-Term Care, Supportive Living), remember to use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, located within the "Discharge" activity. Using the correct navigator will ensure that all steps required for this workflow are completed and orders are available/actionable at the receiving site.
An IFT to a Continuing Care facility has some slight differences from other IFTs. For more information, see the "Interfacility Transfer from Connect Care to Continuing Care Site" section at the bottom of the IFT page in the Connect Care Manual.

For the workflow for an IFT from an ED to an Immediate Transition (IT) bed, see the tip sheet and demo.

Further information (including other IFT workflows) is available in the IFT section of the Connect Care Manual.

CORRECTION: External vs. Internal Orders - Lab and DI

~~For all Launch 8 sites, all lab and DI orders should be placed as external orders.~~ Launch 8 sites Islay Assisted Living, Galahad Care Centre, Drumheller Health Centre, Serenity House (Drayton Valley), St. Mary’s Health Care Centre LTC (Trochu), and Killam Health Care Centre should place lab orders as inpatient orders. The lab will use a Rover workflow for collections. All other Launch 8 sites should place lab orders as external orders.

To order in-province external labs, use the "Lab to Collect" class. The "Third Party" class should only be used for out-of-province (in-province labs do not see those orders).

All Launch 8 sites should place DI orders as external orders, except for general X-ray orders for Killam Health Care Centre, which should be entered as inpatient orders. (Previously launched sites should not change their workflows.)

To order external DI procedures, see the FAQ for more information.

Goals of Care Designation (GCD) - Green Sleeve

While Connect Care expands across sites, the goals of care directive "Green Sleeve" (printed) remains an important tool for documenting patients' wishes.
Any Connect Care GCD order automatically generates a new printout. Normally, this is used to replace any Green Sleeve content. The printed artefact stays with the patient and is invaluable to providers who do not have access to Connect Care.
See the memo and the Goals of Care Management page of the Connect Care Manual for more information.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Day 3

How To Find and Identify Your Patient

Connect Care uses the Medical Record Number (MRN) as a unique person identifier, rather than the Unique Lifetime Identifier (ULI) that is generated by Alberta Health. The MRN is assigned in the Connect Care system through positive person identification and is created or retrieved at time of registration. A single unique MRN is assigned to a patient across all domains and sites using Connect Care. See the tip sheet for more information.
The Patient List search bar accepts only patient name and MRN. Searching via ULI will not work.
It is recommended to include the patient MRN as an identifier in communication, including when submitting a ticket that is specific to a particular patient.

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day. Examples include when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours. Also, please note that most requests to a prescriber that are important enough to require a phone call meet criteria for a nurse to take a telephone order.
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Key Launch 8 Workflows and Updates

To prepare for Launch 8, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
A Launch 8 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:

Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow changes
Results routing changes for inpatient pathology and Continuing Care
Referral and immunization workflow changes related to Population and Public Health programs going live
Continuing Care/Long-term Care workflow changes

Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).

Prescriber Support

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 remainder of the month. The hours for the next two weeks (May 4–19) 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.

Launch 8 Support Hot Topics - Day 1 and 2

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Allowed Exceptions

Information on CPOE can be found in a Countdown Checklist post and the Clinical Ordering Norms section of the Connect Care Manual.
In ordering – as in all other clinical activities – patient care and safety come first. If there is an urgent or emergent circumstance affecting a patient’s care, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate and can be allowed. See this summary of guidelines for telephone and verbal orders that comply with AHS policies and procedures, complete with practical examples and norms based on time of day (e.g., when the prescriber is off-site, does not have access to a Connect Care-enabled device, and/or it is after hours).
For additional information on team collaboration for verbal and telephone orders, see the work package for prescribers and nurses.

Key Launch 8 Workflows and Updates

To prepare for Launch 8, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect Connect Care prescribers from all launches.
A Launch 8 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of, including:

Interfacility Transfer (IFT) workflow changes
Results routing changes for inpatient pathology and Continuing Care
Referral and immunization workflow changes related to Population and Public Health programs going live
Continuing Care/Long-term Care workflow changes

Any additional changes during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 8 Updates page of the Manual, as well as this Connect Care Support Blog channel (our regular channel for posting system updates).

Prescriber Support

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 remainder of the month. The hours for the next two weeks (May 4–19) 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.

Results Routing Changes - Inpatient Pathology and Continuing Care

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

Results Routing Changes

As of April 30, 2024, a couple changes have been made to results routing:

Inpatient Pathology: Lab pathology results (e.g., biopsy results) for admitted inpatients will be delivered to the prescriber's Connect Care preferred communication method (for most prescribers, this is the Connect Care In Basket). Previously, these results were only available on the patient’s chart and in Netcare.

Continuing Care: In preparation for Launch 8, all results for patients admitted to Supportive Living and Long-Term Care facilities will also be sent to the prescriber's Connect Care preferred communication method.

For more information:

Lab Update - Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Order Change

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

Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Lab Blood Work

As of April 23, 2024, the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol order set has been updated. Prescribers can now use the "Activation Panel MHP - Blood" to place the necessary lab orders (Electrolytes, Lactate, INR, Fibrinogen, Platelet count, Hemoglobin), rather than placing 7 individual lab orders.

When the Activation Panel MHP labels are printed, this will reflex order the next set of MHP labs due in 30 minutes. This reflex cycle will continue until the outstanding MHP orders are discontinued.
Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Activation Panel and Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Intra-op Panel are now orderable from within the Intra-op Navigators.

Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes

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

Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes

There have been a few important changes to prescriber workflows for Interfacility Transfers (IFTs). Prescribers transferring patients to any facility, now including Continuing Care and Supportive Living sites, must use the "Interfacility Transfer" navigator, which remains a tab within the “Discharge” activity. There is also a new section for IFTs to out-of-province acute care. All workflow changes have been built into the IFT navigator (for both prescribers and nursing/unit clerks). The navigator contains the updated instructions to follow.

There are two key reasons for the workflow changes:

IFT to non-Connect Care facility – The previous workflow of creating an “IFT Orders Note” caused confusion, due to multiple differing medication lists being produced and sent; there was no prescription for new or changed medications, and the Connect Care system was left with an incorrect home med list. The IFT Orders Note is now only required for IFTs to out-of-province acute care, with the workflow detailed in the embedded navigator instructions, as well as a new tip sheet.
IFT to Connect Care facility – New launching Continuing Care sites that will be receiving transfers from Acute Care can have AHS or non-AHS pharmacies, each with differing Connect Care tools needed for preparing their transfer medication lists. It is not reasonable for the transferring most responsible provider (MRP) to know the pharmacy set up for all the Continuing Care facilities – but the system does know. By streaming all IFTs through the IFT navigator, the tools that the MRP needs will automatically be presented within the IFT navigator. The IFT navigator indicates whether the receiving facility is on Connect Care or not, and the MRP then chooses “IFT to Connect Care” or “IFT to non-Connect Care”. For Continuing Care facilities on Connect Care, the IFT navigator will give the tools to turn all orders into signed and held orders if the pharmacy is on Connect Care, or will give the tools for turning the medication orders into prescriptions and an After Visit Summary and Med Rec for Community Pharmacy Report if the pharmacy is a community pharmacy.

Note that, previously, transfers to Supportive Living facilities were done through the main Discharge navigator tab rather than the IFT navigator; as of Launch 8 (May 4), any attempted transfer to a Connect Care Supportive Living facility done through the main Discharge navigator tab will not work.

For more information:

Manual: Interfacility Transfers
New: Tip: Interfacility Transfer to Out of Province Acute Care
Patient Movement Memo: Changes to IFT to non-Connect Care (includes workflow for nursing/unit clerks)

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