2024-02-28

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 65: Plan Workload Adjustments

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Understand Prescriber 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 prescriber productivity, clinical service resilience and capacity for change.

Be sure to ask your clinical leaders (division, department, section, specialty, clinic, ward, NP manager, etc.) about plans to adjust prescriber 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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2024-02-26

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 4 Now Available

We previously posted about our new monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "Between the Charts". This newsletter summarizes key news items, Epic system updates, efficiency tips and extras that will help prescribers optimize their Connect Care user experience, all in two pages.

Our next issue is now out, available at the below link! This issue includes information on:

  • Hyperdrive rollout (February 28)
  • Daylight Savings Time (March 10)
  • Ordering non-standard medications
  • Data quality
  • Updating inpatient provider care team and service
  • Blog screenshots
  • And more!

The previous issues can still be accessed, via the archive in the Connect Care Manual. 

If you have any feedback on this issue or have a suggestion for content you'd like included in a future issue, please send us an email.

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Connect Care Hyperdrive Upgrade - Phase 3, Wednesday February 28, 2024

We previously posted about the upcoming move from our existing “Hyperspace” version of Epic to a newer version called “Hyperdrive”. The move to Hyperdrive is happening in three phases between February 13 and 28, with phases 1 and 2 including small groups of AHS acute care sites/programs, and everyone else being included in phase 3. 

Phase 3 will switch to Hyperdrive as of Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 07:00. Phase 3 includes all Connect Care users who were not part of phases 1 and 2. All prescribers from these sites will have received an email indicating that they are part of phase 3. 

ALL PHASES - USE ORIGINAL CONNECT CARE ICON

Starting February 28 at 07:00, the original red "CC" icon used in the past to log in to Connect Care will launch Hyperdrive, for all users (phases 1 to 3). 
  • Phase 3: To ensure the red CC icon opens the new Hyperdrive environment, if in a Hyperspace session at 07:00, phase 3 users should end their Hyperspace session ("x" out and close the login window), wait 30 seconds, then reopen their session by clicking on the same red icon. 
    • Note: Phase 3 users may have noticed another (orange) icon on their screen previous to February 28, which phases 1 and 2 used temporarily. Phase 3 users will not be using this icon to log in to Connect Care. 
  • Phases 1 and 2: As of February 28, the temporary orange "CC HD" icon used to launch Hyperdrive will be disabled, and phases 1 and 2 users will switch back to the original red CC icon. 
    • Note: The temporary orange icon may still be visible after 07:00 on February 28; however, if clicked on, an error message will appear.

Virtual Drop-In Centre

The CMIO will be providing virtual drop-in support for prescribers on weekdays throughout the Hyperdrive rollout period, at the below times: 

  • February 26–March 1, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • March 4–8, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00

After-hours/weekend support will also be available through the Helpdesk. For more information, see the Hyperdrive Upgrade section of the Manual.

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Coming Soon – “Signal” Button

Select Connect Care prescribers will soon have access to Signal, an Epic-hosted web application that allows ambulatory and inpatient users to measure and improve their efficiency in using Epic. Epic uses inclusion criteria to automatically select which users can benefit from this function. Connect Care prescribers will know if they have access if they can see their data after clicking the “Signal” button at the top of their screen (click the icon below to see a screenshot). 

More information on Signal will be posted soon to the Connect Care Manual and the Connect Care blog channels.

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Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 67: Report Wireless Gaps

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Report Wireless Coverage Gaps
As part of launch readiness efforts, the wireless networks in Launch 8 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 or other challenges with WiFi at your site to IT Service desk (1-877-311-4300), providing details of the day, time and specific location of the problem.
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2024-02-23

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 70: Confirm Remote Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Ensure that you have online REMOTE ACCESS
"Remote access" refers to any use of the clinical information system (CIS) outside of Alberta Health Services (AHS) networks ("intranet"). 

Will you need this? Some prescribers rarely work out-of-AHS. Some will only remote access through mobility (Haiku, Canto), which is good enough for results review, communicating, ordering, billing and simple documentation. 

Many prescribers need full Hyperspace externally. A security Token is required, as explained in the Connect Care Manual. For physicians, existing Netcare Tokens are automatically set up for Connect Care and require no new action; those needing remote Hyperspace who do not currently have a Token should apply now (note - the process is normally initiated by Zone Medical Affairs).
For nurse practitioners (NPs), remote access needs to be requested via Provincial NP Services. NPs can submit their request by following the instructions at the following link:
Physicians in Launch 8 are authorized for remote access by Zone Medical Affairs, who should be contacted for support (North Zone: NZ.Privileging@ahs.ca; Edmonton Zone: Edm.MedicalAffairs@ahs.ca; Central Zone: CZMAprivileging@ahs.ca; Calgary Zone: CAL.MedAffairsConnectCare@ahs.ca). For NPs needing remote access support, contact Provincial NP Services (prov.npservices@ahs.ca).
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2024-02-21

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 72: Choose Personal Device(s)

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • 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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2024-02-19

Connect Care Hyperdrive Upgrade - Phase 2, Wednesday February 21, 2024

We previously posted about the upcoming move from our existing “Hyperspace” version of Epic to a newer version called “Hyperdrive”. The move to Hyperdrive is happening in three phases between February 13 and 28, with phases 1 and 2 including small groups of AHS acute care sites/programs, and everyone else being included in phase 3. 

Phase 2 will switch to Hyperdrive as of Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 07:00. Phase 2 includes users from Cross Cancer Institute, Grande Cache Community Health Complex, Manning Community Health Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, and South Calgary Health Centre (Urgent Care only). All prescribers from these sites will have received an email indicating that they are part of phase 2. 

PHASE 2 - CONNECT CARE ICONS

  • February 21 to 27: Starting February 21 at 07:00, all phase 2 users should log in to Connect Care using the new "CC HD" orange icon, until the end of the Hyperdrive rollout (February 28). 
    • The original icon will remain on the devices for phase 2 sites during this time, but should not be used by phase 2 users during the Hyperdrive rollout period.  
  • February 28: On February 28 at 07:00, the new icon will be removed and phase 2 users will then go back to using the original icon to log in to Connect Care. As of February 28 at 07:00, the original icon will launch Hyperdrive for all users (phases 1 to 3).

Virtual Drop-In Centre

The CMIO will be providing virtual drop-in support for prescribers on weekdays throughout the Hyperdrive rollout period, at the below times: 

  • February 19–23, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • February 26–March 1, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • March 4–8, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00

After-hours/weekend support will also be available through the Helpdesk. For more information, see the Hyperdrive Upgrade section of the Manual.

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Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 74: Get Ready for Continuing Care Cutover

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Anticipate Continuing Care Cutover
Cutover for Continuing Care is a process through which key pieces of information about LTC residents are entered into Connect Care prior to launch. The primary concern for prescribers will be the management of medication and non-medication orders, and the translation of important information about patients’ clinical status from a paper record to an electronic one. There are different workflows depending on if you work in Designated Supported Living (DSL) or Long-Term Care (LTC) and whether your LTC has a contracted pharmacy or not; please see the relevant FAQ below.

Prescribers should anticipate, and mobilize resources for, two key tasks as part of Continuing Care cutover processes near launch:
  1. March 4–27: Please support the clinical teams by signing non-medication orders forms and Facility Living medication order forms (replaces standing orders) when requested by the sites. This information which will be entered by the cutover nurses and dieticians April 1–May 3.
  2. April 1–May 3: Validate entered orders the week before launch.
The following FAQs can help prescribers prepare for Continuing Care cutover activities:
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2024-02-16

On Other Channels...

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

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Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 77: Confirm AHS Network Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • 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 Token. More about that in a later task. Check out the Access section in the Connect Care 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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2024-02-14

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 79: Complete InfoCare (On Our Best Behaviours) Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Complete InfoCare Privacy Awareness Training
This one applies to everyone. Every prescriber 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 in 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 help.cmio@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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2024-02-12

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 81: Bookmark Manual and Updates

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
A Connect Care Manual is available for desktop, tablet and smartphone use. The Manual summarizes essential clinical information system (CIS) information for prescribers. We keep it brief, in the spirit of clinicians helping clinicians. Details are exposed through links to Connect Care guides, tip sheets and training materials. Bookmark "manual.connect-care.ca".

The Connect Care Blogs are also worth bookmarking. Instructions for subscribing appear on all blog pages. The blogs include a general interest channel (default, "blogs.connect-care.ca") with news and updates, as well as important support information during the launch period. Other channels include:
Bookmark "blogs.connect-care.ca" and consider subscribing to one or more channels (each channel must be subscribed to separately).

It can be really useful to access the Manual and blogs on a smartphone, for easy reference when working with Connect Care. 

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2024-02-09

Seeking Physician Design Lead – Primary Care and Portals

Alberta Health Services is seeking a passionate leader to fill the role of Physician Design Lead (PDL) – Primary Care and Portals. This is a leadership position that demands excellent communication skills, unwavering credibility among peers, an ability to foster collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and medical communities, and experience with clinical operations. The successful candidate would report to the Chief Medical Information Officer and work closely with Clinical Operations and Information Technology partners. The focus of this role will be on the design and implementation of the provincial clinical information system, Connect Care, specifically targeting Primary Care, patient and provider portals, and results routing. 

The PDL-Primary Care and Portals will be a well-established physician within the province of Alberta who understands the complexities of large-scale transformational change, is committed to continuous quality improvement, and can contribute to the innovation, integration, and consistency of patient-centered clinical care. The successful candidate will represent their Primary Care colleagues on a provincial level to bring a voice to their needs, and will provide strategic leadership for patient and provider portal initiatives, supporting improved results routing, and enhancing communications for community providers.

The posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. 

For more information and to apply:

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Connect Care Hyperdrive Upgrade - Phase 1 and New Icons, Tuesday February 13, 2024

We previously posted about the upcoming move from our existing “Hyperspace” version of Epic to a newer version called “Hyperdrive”. The move to Hyperdrive will happen in three phases between February 13 and 28, with phases 1 and 2 including small groups of AHS acute care sites/programs, and everyone else being included in phase 3. 

Phase 1 will switch to Hyperdrive as of Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 07:00. Phase 1 includes users from East Edmonton Health Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, and Royal Alexandra Hospital. All prescribers from these sites will have received an email indicating that they are part of phase 1. 

PHASE 1 - CONNECT CARE ICONS

  • February 13 to 27: Starting February 13 at 07:00, all phase 1 users (and only phase 1 users) should log in to Connect Care using the new "CC HD" orange icon, until the end of the Hyperdrive rollout (February 28). If you are a phase 1 user and do not see the new icon on your screen at 07:00 on February 13, please restart your device.
    • The original icon will remain on the devices for phase 1 sites during this time, but should not be used by phase 1 users during the Hyperdrive rollout period.  
  • February 28: On February 28 at 07:00, the new icon will be removed and phase 1 users will then go back to using the original icon to log in to Connect Care. As of February 28 at 07:00, the original icon will launch Hyperdrive for all users (phases 1 to 3).

Virtual Drop-In Centre

The CMIO will be providing virtual drop-in support for prescribers on weekdays throughout the Hyperdrive rollout period, at the below times: 

  • February 13–16, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • February 19–23, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • February 26–March 1, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00
  • March 4–8, 2024, daily support 08:00–16:00

After-hours/weekend support will also be available through the Helpdesk. For more information, see the Hyperdrive Upgrade section of the Manual.

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Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 84: Bookmark Prescriber Resources

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Bookmark Connect Care Prescriber Resources 
While this blogging site (blogs.connect-care.ca), its various channels (see buttons above) and the Connect Care Manual (manual.connect-care.ca) remain the prime Connect Care information sources for prescribers, valuable local information is available through other CMIO and zone resources.

Worth bookmarking:
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2024-02-07

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 86: Check Alberta Referral Directory

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Physician Registries - Check ARD 
Alberta has multiple sources of physician information. Connect Care uses these to inform a single physician registry. This is a good time for Launch 8 physicians to ensure that provincial databases have current and correct information.

The Alberta Referral Directory (ARD) is one such database. It is a secure, online listing that provides access to consultant demographics, referral guidelines and referral forms.

All physicians are encouraged to update their ARD entry, or have clinic staff take care of this for all clinic providers. ARD is incorporated into Connect Care referral workflows.
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2024-02-05

Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 88: Consider Training Options

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Consider Connect Care Launch 8 Training Options
Depending on track, virtual as well as in-person classes may be available. Contingency plans are in place in the event of facility-level outbreaks. If required, all in-person training can be converted to virtual training. 

Registration for Launch 8 Connect Care training remains open through MyLearningLink (mylearninglink.ahs.ca). Besides completing the training, please remember that completion of the privacy training, On Our Best Behaviours (OOBB), is also mandatory for access to Connect Care. Registration information for medical staff is provided by Zone Medical Affairs, and for nurse practitioners by Provincial NP Services.
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2024-02-02

Optimization Training - Additional Sessions Available

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. The Optimization classes are 30 to 60 minutes in length each, and focus on completing common workflows more efficiently. 

As our initial offerings quickly filled, we have added a few additional sessions on In Basket management and Therapy plans:

  • In Basket Management
    • February 7, 2024, 08:00
    • February 20, 2024, 12:00
  • Therapy Plans
    • April 29, 2024, 12:00

Prescribers can register for these Optimization classes at the below link. Spots are limited in order 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.

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On Other Channels...

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

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Countdown Checklist L8, T-minus 91: Get Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 8 prescribers readying for launch May 4, 2024...
  • Get Basic Training! 
  • Reach out to colleagues who may not be registered
Prescribers will not be allowed access to the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) unless they have completed basic training. There are no exceptions. Lack of access to the legal record of care means being unable to practice. Privileges are contingent on use of the implemented CIS. 

So, this is important. Colleagues will be inconvenienced if forced to cover for a prescriber who does not have CIS access.

First-time users of the CIS must complete an instructor-led basic training session. Launch 8 instructor-led basic training begins February 26, and registrations are filling fast.

If practicing at a Launch 8 site and still lacking information about how to register or complete basic training, contact:
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