2025-09-02

Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PACS) Scheduled Downtime (South Zone) - Thursday, September 4, 2025, 00:01-04:00

AGFA Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) has replaced the IMPAX system in most zones as the new Provincial Archive and Communication System (PACS), whereby many medical staff now view diagnostic images and reports via the Xero Viewer in Connect Care. PEI will be taking a scheduled downtime on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 00:01 to 04:00, affecting South Zone Connect Care users only. Connect Care will be available during this downtime; however, image links for exams performed during the downtime will not be available. 

  • During the downtime, images will not flow from PACS to Connect Care.
  • To view emergency stroke and trauma imaging during the downtime, use IMPAX, which can be logged in to via Citrix MyApps. 
  • All other imaging acquired during the downtime will be viewable only in Diagnostic Imaging departments on the equipment the imaging took place on. 
  • Images will be sent to Connect Care and other downstream applications once PACS servers are up and running.
The other zones where PEI has been implemented run on a separate instance of PEI, and are not affected by this downtime.

If you require further information or assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk and Provincial Solution Centre (1-877-311-4300). 

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Connect Care Transparent Lockdown - September 5, 2025 13:00-04:30 September 11, 2025

Connect Care anticipates a scheduled downtime in the early hours of September 11, 2025, for the Fall Upgrade (post with details important for prescribers to come). Connect Care uses a "transparent lockdown" process during upgrades to help prepare the system and reduce the upgrade workload, resulting in a shortened downtime window. The transparent lockdown period for the upcoming upgrade is from Friday, September 5, 2025 at 13:00 to Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 04:30.  

The lockdown does not affect system performance, existing workflows, or the activities of most users (thus "transparent"). Prescribers will have access to their personalized orders, tools and templates during the lockdown; however, there will be no ability to create new personalizations during the lockdown period. For more details:
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2025-08-29

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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All User Bulletin - Internet Security Certificate Update (Action May Be Needed)

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

Internet Security Certificate Update - Personal devices may require user action

On September 4 and 5, 2025, AHS IT Identity-Directory Services will renew its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate servers. This PKI service manages electronic security certificates and unique electronic keys that verify end users, devices, systems and servers throughout AHS and its affiliates. AHS devices and personal devices enrolled in the AHS Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program should not be impacted, but personal devices not enrolled in BYOD may be impacted and require user action. Prescribers who haven't yet done so may want to consider enrolling their device in BYOD prior to this change.

  • AHS devices and personal devices enrolled in BYOD: No action is required by users if their computer or mobility device is enrolled in BYOD. PKI certificates will be automatically updated.
  • Personal devices not enrolled in BYOD: Both Android and Apple devices may be impacted by this change. Users may see warnings to the effect that a security certificate cannot be verified, and will then need to follow a few simple steps on or after September 5 to restore AHSRestrict wireless connectivity following the PKI update (see memo for more details).

For instructions for affected users on what actions may be required, see the memo.

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Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PACS) Scheduled Downtime (North, Edmonton, and Central Zones) - Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 00:01-04:00

AGFA Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) has replaced the IMPAX system in most zones as the new Provincial Archive and Communication System (PACS), whereby many medical staff now view diagnostic images and reports via the Xero Viewer in Connect Care. PEI will be taking a scheduled downtime on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 00:01 to 04:00, affecting North, Edmonton, and Central Zone Connect Care users only. Connect Care will be available during this downtime; however, image links for exams performed during the downtime will not be available. 

  • During the downtime, images will not flow from PACS to Connect Care.
  • To view emergency stroke and trauma imaging during the downtime, use IMPAX, which can be logged in to via Citrix MyApps. 
  • All other imaging acquired during the downtime will be viewable only in Diagnostic Imaging departments on the equipment the imaging took place on. 
  • Images will be sent to Connect Care and other downstream applications once PACS servers are up and running.
South Zone runs on a separate instance of PEI and will have a separate downtime at a future date (blog post to come).

If you require further information or assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk and Provincial Solution Centre (1-877-311-4300). 

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2025-08-28

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 20 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "Between the Charts", 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. The next issue is now out, available at the below link! This issue includes information on:

  • Fall Upgrade (September 11) - updates, transparent lockdown, and downtime
  • Upcoming Connect Care changes (also September 11):
    • Delivery of summative documents (inpatient notes)
    • Discharge planning tools
  • Upcoming changes from IT (beginning September):
    • Internet security certificate update (action may be needed for personal devices)
    • Switch to Microsoft 365 web apps for shared AHS computers
  • Central Zone Associate Chief Medical Information Officer announcement
  • September Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • Ketorolac Injection/Oral Ibuprofen Drug Stewardship initiative and related Connect Care changes
  • "Collateral Visit Provided" referral request rejection reason
  • Holter monitor orders for rural patients
  • Viewing diagnostic images with Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI)/Xero Viewer
  • Printing from Connect Care using a BYOD device
  • 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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2025-08-27

Upcoming Change for Users of Shared AHS Computers - Microsoft 365 Web Apps

In 2025, approximately 80% of physicians, staff, and volunteers at AHS and affiliate organizations are transitioning to Microsoft 365 (M365) web apps for improved security and cost-efficiency. IT is in the final stages of this transition, and prescribers affected by this will begin transitioning in early September, expecting to be completed by November 2025.

Does This Affect You?

There are three prescriber types in relation to the switch to M365 web apps, each with different use cases and impacts. All prescriber types will continue to access AHS Microsoft files using their AHS credentials.

  • "Independent" prescribers (use personal- or professional-licensed Microsoft apps on a personal device): No change, no action needed
  • "Deskless" prescribers (use AHS shared computer): Will be switching to M365 web apps, see summary of changes below
  • "Desked" prescribers (use assigned/dedicated AHS computer): No change, welcome to learn about and use M365 web apps

For "Deskless" Prescribers Switching to M365 Web Apps
  • Prescribers who use only shared computers will switch to using the web versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for creating and editing files. 
  • Will only be able to view and print documents using the desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • The web apps function differently than the desktop versions, especially for tasks like opening, editing, and downloading files. 
  • Emails will be sent to your AHS or affiliate mailbox 1 week and 1 day prior to the change with detailed information and supporting resources.
  • We recommend investing time in learning to use the M365 web apps. They are fast, integrated with the cloud, and secure.
For more information on the switch to M365 web apps, see:
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2025-08-26

Announcement: Central Zone Associate Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Hannes Conradie

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hannes Conradie has joined the Chief Medical Information Office team as the new Associate Chief Medical Information Officer (aCMIO) for the Central Zone.

Hannes is a family physician with a strong background in hospitalist medicine, palliative care, addictions, and Medical Assistance in Dying. Hannes received his medical education at the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1992 and came to Canada a couple years later, spending his first Canadian winter in Newfoundland. After serving the communities in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia for nearly 20 years combined, Hannes has called Red Deer and the Red Deer Regional Hospital home for the past 12 years, having found the work culture and camaraderie among the physicians there rather unique. Since 2015, Hannes has been the Lead Physician for the Red Deer Hospitalist Group, and since 2017 has been a Connect Care Medical Informatics Lead for the Central Zone.

Outside the professional sphere, Hannes enjoys camping in the mountains with his wife and dogs, as well as hiking, golfing, and spending time with close friends.

As he moves into the aCMIO role, Hannes is excited to help lead the next phase in Central Zone’s Connect Care journey, particularly in improving user experience for prescribers and exploring the use of interactive AI functionality within Connect Care.

Please join us in welcoming Hannes to our team! We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Aaron Pink for his service in the role of aCMIO Central Zone for the past year and half. Thankfully, he is not leaving us and we will continue to benefit from his expertise in his ongoing role as a Provincial Medical Informatics Lead (PMIL).

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2025-08-22

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last 2 weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-08-21

All User Bulletin - Lab Results Automatically Resent Without Changes

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

Lab Results Automatically Resent Without Changes 

In the process of cleaning up old panels in Connect Care, 460,000 stale lab orders (older than 1 year) were recently deleted. This, however, triggered 909 labs being automatically re-resulted to the orderer. There was no change to these results, and the affected orderers have not been contacted by Lab directly.

If prescribers have any questions about a re-resulted lab, please call the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300.

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2025-08-08

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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Best Practice Review - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Connect Care Printing

AHS IT provides best effort support for BYOD/personal laptops such as Macbooks or Microsoft Surface devices. There are two ways for BYOD users to print documents from Connect Care; however, only one is supported and recommended by AHS IT:

  • Virtual Local Printing (VLP) - This method requires the user to select a printer for each print job. It is the only method supported by AHS IT for printing from Connect Care on BYOD devices.
  • Server-Side Printing - This method requires mapping a particular device to a printer; once mapped, print jobs from that device would automatically route to a pre-mapped printer. Server-side printing from Connect Care on BYOD devices is not supported by AHS IT.

Why isn’t BYOD server-side printing supported?

Server-side printing requires workstations to stay in the same unit and have unique names. As neither of these conditions is guaranteed for BYOD devices, multiple users with the same default BYOD device name could potentially print to the same printer, regardless of their department location. This creates a major risk for privacy breaches.

How to get printing support for your BYOD device

If you need help setting up Virtual Local Printing, see the below tip sheet or call the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300. Please do not request server-side printing for BYOD devices. 

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2025-08-01

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last three weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-07-31

New eLearning Module - Documenting Patient Contacts, Capacity and Decision-Making

A new eLearning module, Epic – Consent & eForms Navigator – Documenting Patient Contacts, Capacity and Decision Making, is now available within MyLearningLink for all users. This module provides an overview of documenting patient contacts, patient capacity, and decision-makers is Connect Care. 

While existing practice requirements and expectations remain the same, the course offers step-by-step support as well as some complex scenario examples. Users can skip ahead to any section, depending on what scenario they are most interested in or require just-in-time support with. While not a required eLearning, completion of this module is strongly recommended to help minimize risk in contexts of capacity and decision-making. 

Users can access the module by logging in to MyLearningLink, navigating to "Required Courses", and looking within the Connect Care Enrichment role. Alternatively, it can be searched for with the eLearning module name.

Please contact ConnectCare.Consent@ahs.ca with any questions.

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2025-07-17

UPDATE - New Discharge Transfer Gateway Clarifies Transfer and Discharge Workflows

We previously posted about release of a new "Discharge Transfer Gateway" for inpatient charts opened by prescribers. The intent is to better guide clinicians through workflows for transferring patients within facilities (hospitals) as well as from one facility to another; with specific provisions for destinations with or without Connect Care information services.

Since release, we've received optimization requests, with the following enhancements now implemented:

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2025-07-11

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-07-04

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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Upgrade to Citrix MyApps Store - Tuesday July 8, 2025, 18:00-19:00 (Action May Be Needed)

Remote access to clinical applications, including Connect Care, happens through a software application called Citrix Workspace, accessed via the Citrix MyApps Store. The MyApps Store will have a scheduled upgrade on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 18:00 to 19:00. This upgrade introduces a refreshed user interface and some important changes to functionality that may impact prescribers. Access to Connect Care will continue during the upgrade without interruption. 

  • Favourited Icons Reset: Most favourited icons will be removed from the desktop. The applications will still be available from the upgraded MyApps Store; users can re-favourite as needed following the upgrade (see the 1-pager for instructions). 
    • PRD and PLY will remain favourited.
  • Citrix Session Persistence: The “Session Persistence Disabled” option will no longer be available, meaning a user's Citrix session will now automatically follow them from one device to another. I.e., when logging in to a different device, your Citrix session (and Connect Care) will open as well.
    • With this change, users will no longer be able to be logged in on more than one computer at the same time, to avoid unintentionally "stealing" someone else’s Connect Care session. 
    • This change does not impact Citrix sessions on auto logon computers.
  • Citrix Issue Resolution: If an issue with Citrix is encountered on one device (e.g., Computer A), switching to another device (e.g., Computer B) will not resolve the issue. Instead, users should:
    • Try logging off and back on, or rebooting.
    • Contact the AHS Service Desk for support if the issue persists.
Following the upgrade, if unable to launch the MyApps Store or desktop icons aren’t working, log out of the computer and log back in. If you require further information or assistance, please contact the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300.

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2025-06-30

New Discharge Transfer Gateway to Replace Transfer and Discharge Navigators

As of June 26, 2025, a new “Discharge Transfer Gateway” can be found in all patient charts opened to an inpatient encounter. The Gateway replaces the prior “Transfer” and “Discharge” navigators. It provides simple instructions, together with help and other links to supporting information, to help prescribers select the best tool for facilitating patient journeys to different destinations. These include discharge to home, within-facility transfers, and inter-facility transfers (IFTs). For IFTs, the Gateway provides distinct pathways for Connect Care and non-Connect Care destinations, and whether the transfer is within Alberta or out-of-province. Selecting the best path ensures that the right information is reviewed, actions are taken and documentation is completed. 

The new Gateway has three main sections, detailed below (click the camera icon to see a screenshot). Note there may be variances for some specialties (e.g., ASAP, Critical Care).

  • Discharge from Current Facility – Includes 2 subsections:
    • Home or Community Services
    • Deceased 
  • Transfer within Current Facility – For all intra-facility transfers
  • Send to Another Facility – Includes 5 subsections, with 4 for IFTs:
    • Leave of Absence
    • Acute Care Facility within Alberta – For IFTs to an in-province acute care facility 
    • Acute Care Facility outside of Alberta – For IFTs to an out-of-province acute care facility
    • Continuing Care Facility within Alberta, Connect Care – For IFTs to an in-province Continuing Care facility that uses Connect Care
    • Continuing Care Facility within Alberta, NOT Connect Care – For IFTs to an in-province Continuing Care facility that does NOT use Connect Care 

This change affects all inpatient Connect Care configurations. The Clinician Manual is updated with revised tip sheets and demos. 

Prescribers continue to have the ability to personalize chart activity tabs, including favouriting individual tabs for the discharge, deceased and transfer navigators.

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2025-06-27

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-06-26

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 19 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "Between the Charts", 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. The next issue is now out, available at the below link! This issue includes information on:

  • July Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • New tool for inpatient transitions of care: Discharge Transfer Gateway
  • Improvements to Mental Health Act Forms and workflows
  • Ambulatory referral edits
  • New Connect Quality project for CPSA PPIP requirements: Quality Discharge Documentation
  • New Pre-Admission Clinic navigator for General Internal Medicine coming soon
  • Upcoming upgrade to Dragon Medical One, may require action to change display settings
  • Upcoming changes for immunosuppressant medication ordering
  • Upcoming changes to Citrix MyApps Store, may require re-favouriting
  • Using QuickActions to manage In Basket tasks
  • Auto-deletion of unsigned pended/saved inpatient orders
  • New resources on Mobile Lab ordering and managing outpatient labs and orders
  • 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. Note there will not be a July issue, so the next will be in August.

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2025-06-24

Connect Quality - New CPSA PPIP Project Now Available on Discharge Documentation

Connect Quality is a free program created by the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) to help you meet your College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) project requirements! Our goal is to make your work easier. We have organized the resources, training, reporting tools, and documentation required for you to meet CPSA PPIP requirements, so you can focus on looking after your patients.

Four Connect Quality projects are currently available, covering the activities CPSA requires physicians to complete over a 5-year cycle: 

  • In Basket Turnaround Time for the practice-driven quality improvement activity;
  • Problem List Maintenance and (new!) Quality Discharge Documentation, both for the CPSA's Standards of Practice quality improvement activity; and, 
  • User Settings to Improve Efficiency and Well-Being, for the personal development activity. 
For each project, Connect Quality provides:
  • A guide that outlines viewing objective data and metrics within Connect Care. This includes within Signal, as well as in-system Dashboards.
  • An example Action Plan.
  • Interventions that can be selected including Optimization classes, and self-study options.
  • A template that can be used to document all CPSA requirements.

…And have we mentioned that Connect Quality is FREE?!

Sign up today at connectquality.ca! For more information, reach out to your Site Medical Informatics Lead (Site MIL) or email CMIO.Optimization@ahs.ca.

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2025-06-20

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last week. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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Upcoming Webinar: Improving the Quality of Discharge Summaries

As part of the Alberta Medical Association's "Transitions in Care Talk" webinar series that explores evidence-informed practices to support patients transitioning from home to hospital and back home, a session on Improving the Quality of Discharge Summaries will be taking place on June 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00.

This virtual session will be hosted by AMA-ACTT and presented by Primary Care Alberta, and will feature speakers from the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) Prescriber Experience and Medical Informatics Team.
  • Learning objectives of webinar:
    • Understand the benefits and challenges of sending, receiving and acting on discharge summaries in acute care, primary care and assisted living settings.
    • Learn about a newly developed quality improvement tool for physicians that works toward practice-driven or CPSA Standards of Practice quality improvement Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) activities.
  • This webinar is designed for:
    • Primary care physicians and clinic teams
    • Acute care physicians and clinic teams
    • Nurse practitioners and other providers
    • Panel managers
    • Practice facilitators
Visit the AMA website to register, and to see related resources:
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2025-06-13

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last 2 weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-05-30

On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last 2 weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2025-05-29

BBHR: Improving Prescriber Continuity of Care Communications

Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication at transitions of care.

Workflows for Prescriber Continuity of Care Communications 

Prior postings describe tools that can help clinicians request or confirm primary care services for patients. A related workflow helps clinicians seek or confirm continuity of care for patients leaving hospital or transferring between clinics or providers. 

A Continuity of Care letter can facilitate properly documented transfers of care between prescribers, when a full referral workflow is not appropriate or needed. Optional chart content (e.g., patient care coordination note, consult note) can be selected to support the communication.

For more information:

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      2025-05-28

      New Lab Ordering Resources

      Two new resources for lab ordering are now available on the Learning Home Dashboard (under "Specialty Guides – Lab Ordering"), as well as the Connect Care Manual.

      • Managing Outpatient Labs and Orders: This new guide outlines the steps prescribers can follow to review all uncollected labs and make modifications to them as needed (including discontinuing orders and changing dates of collection and expiry). It also includes tips on duplicate order warnings and making orders clear so that what the prescriber wants is collected, when they want. 

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      Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 18 Now Available

      Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "Between the Charts", 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. The next issue is now out, available at the below link! This issue includes information on:

      • June Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes, including new Dragon Medical One class
      • Calgary in-person drop-ins for Connect Quality demos (June 2-3)
      • Workspace ONE Catalog app retired, replaced with Hub
      • Panniculectomy case ordering requirements
      • Alberta Blue Cross Drug Special Authorization forms now digitized
      • Multi-factor authentication for Microsoft 365 apps on personal workstations
      • IFT navigator and Continuity of Care workflow enhancements coming soon
      • Auto expiry of additional In Basket message types coming soon
      • Study on Connect Care alerts and rules wins award
      • The CMIO's My.Health.Alberta.ca content team wins major North American award for excellence in plain language communication
      • How to find your Site Medical Informatics Lead (Site MIL)
      • 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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      Multi Factor Authentication for Microsoft 365 Apps Accessed from Personal Workstations

      As of Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required when users access Microsoft 365 (M365) applications - i.e., the web versions of Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive - from personal workstations such as laptops. This change may prompt MFA when accessing CMIO and other AHS resource links, as most of our materials are hosted on SharePoint; however, links clicked from within Connect Care will not prompt MFA.

      What is changing and why?

      AHS IT is restoring Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for Microsoft 365 (M365) applications accessed from personal workstations such as laptops. MFA was previously required for M365 apps, but was temporarily removed in December 2024 while AHS' SharePoint was migrated to the cloud. The migration process is now largely complete, and so M365 MFA is being reactivated to align with AHS' security policies. 

      This change does not impact shared workstations, or any other applications including Connect Care.

      What action do you need to take?

      The M365 MFA will be triggered only on personal workstations when accessing the web versions of Microsoft software; this includes opening a Microsoft web app (e.g., Outlook) as well as opening a document created by/saved on Microsoft software (e.g., a Word file, or a document saved on SharePoint) on your browser. Users will be prompted for personal login as usual, and then prompted for MFA confirmation (such as a code texted to a mobile phone). Once the MFA step is complete, the user will not need to re-authenticate for at least 6 hours. 

      • Tip: When accessing SharePoint, please select "Keep me signed in" when prompted, to allow for even longer timeout.
      Problems?

      If you have any issues with M365 MFA, please contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300).

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