Fixed Netcare Printing Issue

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

• Update to fix Netcare printing issue when launched from Connect Care 

Since the 2024 Hyperdrive upgrade, users have had to log in separately to Netcare to print PDF files. Beginning April 14, 2025, users can resume printing from Netcare from the in-context browser (i.e., Netcare opened from within Hyperspace).

When Netcare is launched from within Connect Care, the external Netcare window will launch in a default browser window. This will cause a minor visual change (click the camera icon below for a screenshot); there are no functional or behavioural changes for users.

Second Sign Updates - Requisition Printout

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

• Second Sign Updates - Requisition Printout

We previously posted about the Second Sign workflow for clerical/Medical Office Assistant (MOA) ambulatory orders. As of October 27, 2022, enhancements to the automatic printout process of Second Signed orders will be available. 

In the Second Sign workflow, once the order has received the second signature by the responsible prescriber, the requisition is often automatically printed off. Non-AHS MOAs are able to submit a ticket to suppress automatic printing of Second Sign orders, and AHS MOAs can submit a ticket to have print settings adjusted if requisitions for Second Signed orders are going to the incorrect printer (see tip sheet).

If the MOA or prescriber is unsure of the requisition print location, or whether the requisition was printed, two new features are available:

• Additional information available in Chart Review: In the "Chart Review" activity, if the requisition was printed, the "Order Parameters >> Sign transmittal event" section now displays the destination printer ("Destination Workstation"), and whether it was a mapped printer or an alternate Virtual Local Printer (VLP) destination (workstation ID would begin with "VLP"). If the requisition was not printed, it will say "This order was not sent to a printer."

• New Reporting Workbench report: In the Reporting Workbench workspace, a new report, "Second Sign Status", can be run that shows existing Second Sign orders. This report will indicate whether a Second Sign has been completed; if completed, an MOA can then find out if a requisition has been printed or not via the Chart Review activity as detailed above. If additional copies of requisitions are needed, MOAs can use "Reprint" from the Chart Review activity.

For more information:

• Support: Second Sign for Clerical/MOA Ambulatory Orders
• Tip: Second Sign Requisition Print Suppression
• Tip: Virtual Local Printing
• Tip: Finding Reporting Workbench Reports

Finding Order Numbers to use when Reporting Printing Problems

Problem: Faulty printer mappings are hard to track down without knowledge of the order triggering the printing.

Context: We continue in a "hybrid" state for a while, where most functions are digital but some require printing in order to work with other parts of the health care system. Common examples are printed prescriptions and requisitions destined for locations not yet on Connect Care.

Some printing functions automatically route to where action needs to be taken. A few configuration problems can turn up in the early post-launch period and are easily fixed. The catch is that the specific patient-provider-location-function intersect needs to be tracked down. All required information can be found using an "order number".

Solution: Include order numbers when reporting possible printer problems. To quickly find an order number:

• Inpatient
• Active Orders: Go to the "Orders" activity and hover over an order in the "Active Orders" tab to get an order report icon (📃) at the top right of the row for that order. Click on this icon to get a popup with information about the order. The order number is in brackets or parentheses.
• External Orders: Note the list of external orders at the bottom of the "External Orders" tab, and click on an order of interest to get a popup that includes the order number (in parentheses).
• Outpatient
• Encounter Orders: If encounter orders have been signed, click on the order icon (📋) just to the left of the bottom right "Sign Encounter" button. Then, click on the individual order of interest, and note the order number in the Order Report.
• All contexts
• With a patient's chart open, use the Search function (top right of hyperspace or within StoryBoard) to find the "Order Review" activity.
• This can be used to list all orders for a specified time period (default is last 72 hours). 
• Clicking on an order will reveal the Order Report (usually bottom half of screen) with the order number in it.

Printing at Remote Locations

Problem: The Connect Care Clinical Information System can be accessed from many locations. The “hyperspace” environment, however, is configured to route printed artefacts to locations appropriate for the logged-on department and task. This behavior can frustrate attempts to print when working remotely.

Solution: A one-page tip illustrates how to ensure that printing occurs locally at the intended device:

• Tip: Printing in Connect Care at Remote Locations

Possible Problems Printing After Visit Summaries

Problem: There is a small possibility that attempts to print After Visit Summaries (AVS) for some patients may be associated with some formatting problems. This is not a known Connect Care problem but a (remotely) possible effect of the clinical system upgrade occuring March 12, 2020, in the early morning hours.

Context: The March 12 upgrade includes a new software component that renders the print-ready AVS. Some organizations have experienced rare difficulties. We have implemented preventive measures but want users to be vigilant when printing AVS reports so that any problems get promptly disclosed to the help desk (help.connect-care.ca).

Solution: AVS reports are helpful but not essential to outpatient care. Key content, such as medication lists, patient instructions or appointment details can be printed in other ways. And patients signed up to MyChart (formerly "MyAHS Connect") get their information by that route. Should any print formatting problems occur, please use the following troubleshooting pathway.