2021-02-28

Countdown Checklist W3 L-40: Complete and Close Legacy Charts

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Complete and close legacy charts
Incomplete charts at Wave 3 sites need physician attention pre-launch. Moving to a new clinical information system (CIS) is hard if pre-existing records are not tidied up.

Physicians must attend to ALL incomplete Wave 3 AHS health records by April 10, 2021. This includes outstanding dictations and signatures for inpatient and day surgery health records, not just those that are overdue.

After April 10, 2021, records will be completed through the Connect Care CIS rather than external dictation or eScription. Any outstanding incomplete records that exist at cutover will not be transitioned into Connect Care. Any incomplete health records on inpatients discharged after April 10, 2021 will be completed in Connect Care.

Physicians can contact Health Records at the Wave 3 sites Monday to Friday 0745h-1600h to obtain a list of incomplete charts requiring attention.   
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2021-02-27

Countdown Checklist W3 L-41: Complete Basic Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Complete Basic Training
All Connect Care users must demonstrate basic proficiency (based on basic training) before gaining access to the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) and undertaking personalization and mobility training.

The EUPA ("End User Proficiency Assessment") is used to assess basic proficiency. It becomes available in MyLearningLink with basic training registration. The assessment is done online. It is not hard and is "open book" alongside a Connect Care environment (practice in PLY, check EXAM while assessment is in progress) with access to training guides. 

Don't procrastinate! It is better to take the EUPA, not get the needed 80%, and then re-take. Delaying only keeps one from progressing to personalization. And there is no access to the full production CIS unless both On Our Best Behaviours (OOBB; Privacy & Confidentiality Training, InfoCare) and EUPA are complete.

After completing the EUPA, check to see if a PASS confirmation is posted (confirmed via email). If this does not happen, don't worry! Use the following link to affirm that you have completed, and you will be moved to pass.
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2021-02-26

On Other Channels...

Thank you for continuing to check (...ideally, subscribe to multiple channels; see instructions) the Connect Care Update blog for prescribers. Recent additions to this blog and its various channels:

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2021-02-25

MyAHS Connect Reporting Dashboard

The "MyAHS Connect Department Utilization" dashboard is now available. This dashboard outlines the use and uptake of MyAHS Connect. It allows operational managers, supervisors and physicians to view how staff and patients are progressing with MyAHS Connect in an outpatient context (limited to the logged-on user's department). Prescribers can also explore how patient portal functions are impacting their practice.

The dashboard is available to operational managers, operational supervisors and physicians.

To find more about how to access and view content found in this dashboard:

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2021-02-22

Patient Movement Readiness Series

The Patient Movement Readiness Series focuses on building a baseline knowledge of how to move a patient from one location to another using Connect Care as a tool. Make sure you sign up for these sessions, as patient movement is cited as one of the most confusing concepts to grasp at launch.

The week of February 22-26, 2021, includes Patient Movement Fundamentals Readiness events. These sessions outline basic functions that support safe movement of patients through a facility. Related workflows are explored. Use the link below to register for any of the (repeat) one-hour patient movement events.

Live system demos of patient movement workflows are scheduled for the week of March 1-5, 2021. These sessions are described in a Patient Movement Readiness Handbook, where topic lists and registration links are provided. A self-guided learning video series with videos relevant to your work area is also available via a guide, linked below.

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2021-02-21

Documentation Quality Improvement

The Connect Care Documentation Quality Improvement initiative seeks to enhance the utility of summative documentation templates for history & physical, consult, discharge, transfer, deceased and operative notes. Oversight is provided by the Clinical Documentation Quality Improvement Workgroup, reporting to the Clinical Documentation Committee.

While Builders, Power Users, Super Users, Informatics Leads and Superusers actively participate in much of the improvement work, any Connect Care user can have input. A presentation provides context and a plan. "Work packages" emerge from time to time on our Informatics channel, each containing a presentation on a documentation topic and instructions about how interested users can provide feedback.
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2021-02-20

Countdown Checklist W3 L-48: Consider UserWeb Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • (Optional) Register for UserWeb Access
While Epic Systems software is but one part of the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS), it provides essential database, integration, and all user interface functions. 

Understanding the Epic ecosystem can make a difference to Connect Care users who wish to become a resource to their peers (e.g., Super User). A wealth of information is available through Epic's "UserWeb". 

Connect Care Manual and blog postings may reference UserWeb resources, available only to those with UserWeb login credentials. These are easy to obtain (be sure to use your AHS email when registering):
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2021-02-18

Countdown Checklist W3 L-50: Register for Personalization Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Confirm REGISTRATION for PERSONALIZATION
Successful personalization of the Connect Care clinical information system has a big impact on physician success at launch. It is very important to take advantage of personalization workshops pre-launch. Among other things, these introduce many tips that make Connect Care use both efficient and enjoyable.

Make sure that you are already registered or take advantage of self-registration via MyLearningLink (supported on a first-come-first-scheduled basis).

Personalization objectives, pre-requisites and preparation are all described in the Connect Care Manual.
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2021-02-17

Submit Connect Care Improvement Ideas

Connect Care users are represented through Area Councils and Speciality Workgroups. These, together with local user groups, help generate suggestions for new functions, and improvements to existing functions. Connect Care oversight, advocacy and community structures also help to set priorities and identify urgent fixes.

Another way for users to fuel continuing improvement is to directly submit enhancement ideas for consideration. These get "ticketed" and all tickets are characterized, considered and prioritized, usually through Area Councils and Specialty Workgroups.

Submitting a suggestion is done using the same Connect Care Concierge (help.connect-care.ca) that enables non-urgent support requests. Although the online form reads like a problem-reporting tool, it is intended for both problems and suggestions. Think of the "issue title" as a "suggestion title" and enter a recommendation in the "issue description" box. A Concierge ticket is generated, and is the best way to draw attention to user suggestions.

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2021-02-16

Countdown Checklist W3 L-52: Plan Meeting Adjustments

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Adjust Meeting Schedules in your Clinical Area
A prior item encouraged advance planning for clinical service impacts at the time of Connect Care launch. Similar planning is needed to adjust clinical business and other meetings to fit with launch needs.

Many Connect Care launch-related meetings fill the weeks just before and after launch. Some of these are prescriber-focused, including daily meetings to capture emerging issues, assign resources and review remedies. There are lots of opportunities for prescribers to have input.

Given inevitable launch demands, it is recommended that all non-essential other meetings be deferred to protect the week before and at least 3 weeks after the launch date.

This is a good time to look ahead at meeting schedules for April 1 - May 1 and identify sessions that could be cancelled or rescheduled.
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2021-02-15

Connect Care Research Webinar - Workflow Walk Through - Feb 17, 2021

The next Connect Care Research Webinar, occurring February 17, 2021 from 1200h to 1300h, is dedicated to a "Workflow Walk Through."

The webinar will explore illustrative outpatient and inpatient research visits, highlighting how research coordinators prepare for, arrive and start the visit (including queuing, signing, releasing and acting on orders); sign and close a visit; and complete research charge reviews. 

All clinical research stakeholders are welcome. However, the specific work flow steps covered are immediately applicable for Wave 1 and 2 research end users already active in Connect Care. Epic representatives will be on hand to answer questions immediately following the presentation and demonstration. 

For more information about Connect Care Inquiry and Research:
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2021-02-14

Countdown Checklist W3 L-54: Choose Personal Device(s)

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Pick Personal Device(s) for Connect Care Use
Many of us will prefer doing some clinical information system (CIS) tasks on mobile or personal computing devices. These are set up to our liking, move with us, and work well in Connect Care facilities. 

This is a good time to check whether what we have is what we'll want. Indeed, it may be time to consider purchasing a new mobile device for clinical use. 

The following information can help decide what to procure or prepare:
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2021-02-13

Countdown Checklist W3 L-55: Plan Workload Adjustments

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Understand Physician Workload Adjustments for your Area

It is not a given, or often possible, that clinical service levels decrease at Connect Care launch. A number of strategies can maximize physician productivity, clinical service resilience and capacity for change.

Be sure to ask your clinical leaders (division, department, section, specialty, clinic, ward, etc.) about plans to adjust physician availability and support in your area at launch. Discuss and confirm understandings at planning meetings.

Also anticipate your role in making things better for your team. Usually your best contribution is to take training seriously, especially personalization training, and to take the time to practice in the system after training. This decreases the likelihood that you will burden colleagues or slow clinical service around the time of launch.

See our Byte about workload planning for more information.

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2021-02-12

On Other Channels...

Thank you for continuing to check (...ideally, subscribe to multiple channels; see instructions) the Connect Care Update blog for prescribers. Recent additions to this blog and its various channels:

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2021-02-11

Nuance and Epic Best in KLAS-mates

We've posted about Epic's continuing success in the KLAS awards for health information systems.

Connect Care users have embraced in-system dictation, speech recognition and voice activation. Indeed, in-system dictation has been so widely adopted that it has spontaneously replaced other pathways to dictation. The ability to dictate using personal devices, anywhere, anytime is wonderfully convenient.

Nuance's Dragon Medical One product has become central to the Connect Care offering. It is pleasing to see that this product also wins a Best in KLAS award for 2021!
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2021-02-10

Epic stays top of KLAS... Again!

Epic System's electronic health record software, the centrepiece of Connect Care's clinical information system (CIS), continues to excel in the "Best in KLAS" awards... for an 11th straight year!

The 2020 awards, based on an annual survey of health information system users (including opinions of physicians and other healthcare decision-makers from >4,500 hospitals and >2,500 clinics), go to Epic in the categories of:
  • Inpatient (Acute Care, large hospital)
  • Enterprise Suites
  • Outpatient Clinics (over 75 physicians)
  • Practice Management
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Patient Flow
  • Application Hosting
  • Oncology
  • Patient Portals.
We are happy to work with such a strong technology partner!
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2021-02-09

CMIO Practice Charting for Connect Care Users

The Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) has developed a Practice Charting plan for CMIO users (prescribers) who want to practice dual charting in Connect Care. CMIO Practice Charting does not replace Clinical Operations Shadow Charting. Instead, it targets CMIO users who are unable to participate in or were out of scope for Shadow Charting, or who want additional practice. (Note that Shadow Charting only targets High Risk/High Volume workflows and is not available in all clinical areas, so many prescribers will not have an opportunity to participate in Shadow Charting.)

The Practice Charting plan consists of four parts:

For more information, see the new Practice Charting page in the Connect Care Manual.

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2021-02-08

Connect Care Wave 3 Workflow Dress Rehearsals - Physician Participation

An important Wave 3 Connect Care readiness event is soon upon us. A series of "Workflow Dress Rehearsals" (WDRs) occurs between March 15 and April 1.

WDRs provide clinicians with opportunity for hands-on practice using the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) in simulated workflows. The current CIS build is exposed for testing in real clinical contexts, usually with the computers and devices that will be used at Wave 3 launch. Physicians, nurses, other clinicians, managers and the project team work together to identify any issues and find solutions pre-launch.

The WDR events (at each Wave 3 facility) promote end user confidence, give teams a chance to check that workflows work as intended, demonstrate that end users can successfully complete Connect Care and facilitate end user understanding of downstream effects of their actions.

Physician participation (and help with demonstration) is very important! To sign up for participation or observation (physician roles are listed in the schedule, linked below), please email cmio.nz@ahs.ca.

For more information:
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2021-02-07

All User Bulletin - Workspace ONE Hub App

All-user-bulletins highlight stumbling blocks that all physicians need to be aware of when using the Connect Care clinical information system.

Workspace ONE Hub App

On February 9, you may notice a request to approve the installation or upgrade of the Workspace ONE Hub application (app) on your mobile device. If you experience this message, please tap "Accept".

Workspace ONE is the device management software Alberta Health Services uses to ensure protection of sensitive data, and to facilitate distribution and maintenance of apps on mobile devices (including iPhones, Android phones, iPads) in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. This program needs to upgrade the Workspace ONE app to a newer supported version. The upgrade will automatically be pushed to devices enrolled in the BYOD program. Some users may receive a request to install the app; users will need to accept the installation to continue to receive support for the BYOD program.

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2021-02-05

Netcare Scheduled Outages for February

Two Netcare outages are anticipated in February 2021:
  • February 18, 2021 from 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
    • Alberta Netcare Portal will be unavailable during the above noted period in order to accommodate system upgrades.
  • February 25, 2021 from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
    • Alberta Netcare Portal will be unavailable for up to two 45-minute durations during the noted period in order to accommodate system maintenance and upgrades.
Users who are logged in during these times will be disconnected and will need to re-authenticate following each outage period. 

If urgent access to results is anticipated during these periods, refer to and complete the ANP Downtime Contingency Kit in advance of the maintenance time windows. 

For any questions or concerns, AHS employees please contact 1-877-311-4300, while Community Alberta Netcare users (outside AHS) can contact the Provincial Helpdesk at 1-877-931-1638.
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2021-02-04

Netcare Timeout Defaults Restored

Netcare session timeouts and personalization have been restored as of Thursday, February 4, 2021.

The forced 30-minute timeout for Netcare idle sessions has been removed. Individual timeout settings have been reverted and users are now able to personalize their timeout durations again (to a maximum of 2 hours). 

For any questions or concerns, AHS employees can contact 1-877-311-4300, while Community Alberta Netcare users (outside AHS) can contact the Provincial Helpdesk at 1-877-931-1638.

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2021-02-03

Connect Care Waves Update

As previously announced, Connect Care's Wave 3 launch date was moved from February 2021 to April 2021 to accommodate pandemic pressures. This, in turn, impacts the scope and timing for Waves 4, 5 and 6. These highlights reflect changes being announced today:

  • There will still be nine implementation waves in total, to be completed in 2023.
  • A modified Wave 3 launches April 10, 2021, primarily in the North Zone.
  • Wave 4 will launch November 7, 2021, to include the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary, as well as Calgary Zone rural and urgent care sites (with aligned clinics and services), the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre, Central Production Pharmacy and all labs in the Edmonton Zone which have not already implemented Connect Care. 
  • Wave 5 will launch May 14, 2022, to include the west area (former David Thompson Health Region) of Central Zone, Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury in Central Zone, Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Cancer Care (and associated pharmacies), Alberta Kidney Care South, and all lab services in the rural portion of the west area of Central Zone.
  • Wave 6 will launch November 6, 2022, to include Grey Nuns Hospital, Misericordia Hospital and Alberta Hospital Edmonton in the Edmonton Zone, the east area (former East Central Health Region) of Central Zone, the Rockyview General Hospital and the South Health Campus in Calgary Zone, the associated pharmacy services in Edmonton, Central and Calgary zones, lab services in the rural portions of the east area of Central Zone, and Alberta Precision Laboratories in the Calgary Zone.
  • Wave 7 will launch in the spring of 2023, to include the east side of the North Zone (former Aspen and Northern Lights Health regions), the South Zone, including the stand-alone long-term care sites, and the associated pharmacy and lab services for these sites and programs.
  • Details for Waves 8 and 9 are still being determined and will be shared when available.

More information about the scope and sequencing of the waves is available on an updated Wave Implementation Diagram.

It’s important to understand that future adjustments may be needed as we continue to rollout Connect Care. Patients and our healthcare teams will continue to come first in every decision we make, as we work to ensure each wave can be launched effectively and safely. 

The commitment to Connect Care has not changed and its successful implementation remains an organizational priority.

 

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2021-02-02

Countdown Checklist W3 L-66: Report Wireless Gaps

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Report Wireless Coverage Gaps
As part of launch readiness efforts, the wireless networks in Wave 3 sites are upgraded to clinical-grade (high-density, high-performance) WiFi. Teams have walked the facilities to confirm that connectivity is universally present and up to the needs of providers and patients.

Coverage seems to be complete. Please help the wireless team by checking for AHSRESTRICT wireless networking signal and stability in all your clinical work areas. Please report any gaps to IT Service desk (1-877-311-4300) directly or use the WiFi Check listed below. Be precise about location.
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2021-02-01

Ordering Therapy Plans -- Wave 3 Prescriber-Led Support Sessions

Clinicians and prescribers who order ongoing therapies (IVIG, blood, antimicrobials, etc.) or who will participate in the conversion of Therapy Plans (pre-defined collection of related orders that can apply to multiple encounters over time) for Wave 3 patients are invited to attend orientation sessions. The sessions explain how therapy plans work, how they are used and how prior paper-based plans can be converted in readiness for launch. There will be demonstrations of Therapy Plan workflows and an opportunity to address questions. 

The following sessions provide background information and context, focusing on workflows rather than specific plan conversion instructions. Although important for Wave 3 prescribers who anticipate Therapy Plan use, all Connect Care prescribers are welcome, as many may benefit from a refresher. 

Clicking on the hyperlinked date for a session will open a calendar invite for that session, which you can then respond to and receive the meeting information.

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2021-01-31

Orders for Recurring Outpatient Therapies in Connect Care

Community prescribers who have Alberta Health Services (AHS) clinical privileges may refer patients into AHS Medical Outpatient Units (MOUs) or Emergency Departments (in smaller centres) for recurring therapies such as iron infusions, antimicrobials, blood products, etc. 

Once Connect Care goes live at a site and becomes the legal record of care, all orders for patient care must be entered into the Connect Care clinical information system, and only prescribers who are trained in the system can be selected as Authorizing Providers for orders. This has implications for sites anticipating Connect Care launch.

As a site prepares to launch Connect Care, existing (standing) paper orders for treatments that will be administered in MOUs or Emergency Departments must be entered into the system prior to each Connect Care launch wave. This ensures the orders can be activated when the patients arrive post-launch for their appointments. A single Connect Care Authorizing Provider must be designated for each therapy plan. Sites are encouraged to establish an approach for managing standing orders on which the ordering prescriber has not completed Connect Care training or does not have AHS clinical privileges. 

Recognizing possible practice variation from facility to facility and zone to zone, the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) is working with zone clinical leadership to implement an appropriate workflow to accommodate community prescribers who cannot be selected as Authorizing Providers during launch preparations. For more information, please see the below resources:

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2021-01-29

On Other Channels...

Thank you for continuing to check (...ideally, subscribe to multiple channels; see instructions) the Connect Care Update blog for prescribers. Recent additions to this blog and its various channels:

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2021-01-28

Countdown Checklist W3 L-71: Confirm AHS Network Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Ensure that you have online ACCESS
This one's easy.

 Make sure that you have a working Alberta Health Services (AHS) "Healthy" network username and password. These credentials are used to log in to AHS computers, email, Connect Care and many other systems. Your profile needs to be turned on for Connect Care access. Make sure that your username and password work at:
If you try logging in from outside an AHS facility, you will need to additionally have a security FOB. More about that in the next task. Check out the Access section in the Connect Care Physician Manual. Contact AHS IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300) if your username and password do not work with myapps.ahs.ca.
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2021-01-26

Webinar 2: Release of Lab Results to Patients - What This Means to Your Practice

As previously posted, all Albertans will soon have access to more lab results released in real time via MyHealth Records. Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Medical Association are co-hosting webinars to explore the implications of this change for prescribers. 

Real time release of labs to patients: What this means to your practice.

This 1-hour webinar will consider implications for physicians and their patients of the release of 95% (by volume) of laboratory test results to patients via MyHealth Records starting February 5, 2021. The interactive session is open to physicians, nurse practitioners and medical office support staff, and includes primary care, acute care and oncology perspectives as well as input from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.  

Presenters: Dr. Allen Ausford, Dr. Brad Bahler, Dr. Rob Hayward, Dr. Jay Easaw, Dr. Ewan Affleck
Moderators: Dr. Stuart Rosser 

Objectives: 
  • Consider possible impacts of real-time results release for patients and the clinician's role in pre-test counselling. 
  • Share strategies for managing potential implications for office, clinic and hospital workflows.
To register: 
For more information about laboratory result release via portals:

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2021-01-25

Countdown Checklist W3 L-72: Complete InfoCare (On Our Best Behaviours) Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Wave 3 physicians readying for Connect Care Launch April 10, 2021...
  • Complete InfoCare Privacy Awareness Training
This one applies to everyone. Every physician must complete an online self-directed eLearning module entitled "InfoCare - On Our Best Behaviours" (OOBB). This solidifies understanding about responsible behaviours when working with personal health information. 

All prescribers must complete the module. Completion is demonstrated in a final section where commitment to privacy protection is affirmed with a series of statements. Access to Connect Care is not possible without OOBB affirmation. AHS physician privileges are also contingent. 

Log on to MyLearningLink.ahs.ca (MLL) with your AHS username and password. Search the available courses using "InfoCare". Anticipate spending about 20 minutes.

Get in touch with ConnectCare.PhysicianTraining@ahs.ca if you have difficulty getting credit for course completion. Macintosh users: save time by checking our  MLL Manual section and tip sheet first. These resources also explain how to use an attestation tool if MLL does not credit course completion.
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2021-01-24

Trainee Bulletin - Select Authorizing Provider when Ordering for Consulting Services

All-user-bulletins highlight developments prescribers need to be aware of when using the Connect Care clinical information system.

Specifying an Authorizing Provider for Consulting Services
Prescriber trainees, including medical students, residents and fellows, are supervised by fully licensed “authorizing” prescribers. Unequivocal identification of the authorizing provider ensures that critical and late-reporting results are appropriately routed.
A previous post outlines how authorizing provider identification is automated most of the time.

Orders placed by services consulting in emergency (ED) or inpatient (IP) departments remain at risk for misdirection if trainees do not take care to explicitly identify the authorizing prescriber at the time of ordering. We experience ongoing issues with specialized tests returning to In Baskets of ED and IP physicians who did not order the test or take responsibility for follow-up.
Fortunately, the process that trainees must use for specifying an appropriate consultant authorizing provider at the time of test ordering is straightforward, highlighted in the following:
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