2026-04-17

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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2026-04-15

Improving Patient Flow: Recognizing Repatriation Opportunities

Connect Care provides tools to help prescribers expedite safe discharges for inpatients. Use of these tools can improve patient flow, reduce bed overcapacity pressures, and ease emergency department congestion.

A recent enhancement to expected discharge disposition tools can help clinicians recognize (and act on) situations where patients may be suitable for return to a sending facility. 

The Expected Discharge Disposition patient list column now provides a visual indication (grey return icon) of whether a patient is from, and may return to, an out-of-zone facility or whether a repatriation process is already initiated (green return arrow). The column hover bubble also includes direct links for initiating a repatriation order and/or an inter-facility discharge order.

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2026-04-13

Improving Patient Flow: Discharge Planning Tools for Prescribers

Connect Care provides tools to help prescribers expedite safe discharge for inpatients. Use of these tools can improve patient flow, reduce bed overcapacity pressures, and ease emergency department congestion.

A set of 4 Patient List columns offer a great starting point for finding, tracking, and updating key discharge planning information:

A 2-page Quick Start guide highlights simple steps to improving daily prescriber discharge planning:

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2026-04-10

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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2026-04-09

Update to Various Supporting Applications (May Cause Brief Downtimes) - April 11-29, 2026

Components in the Connect Care clinical information system need periodic maintenance. Due to a phased update across various applications that support Connect Care ("ancillary applications"), these applications may experience a brief 5- to 10-minute downtime between Saturday, April 11, 2026 and Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during one of the time windows listed below. 

  • Connect Care will remain available during any resulting downtimes.
  • Impacted applications include but are not limited to Netcare, Content (Quanum ECS), Transfusion (WellSky), and MUSE and ECG Web. Use any downtime procedures specific to these applications as required.  
  • Possible time windows for downtimes: 
    • April 11 (Sat): 00:00-06:00 
    • April 16 (Thurs): 03:00-06:00, 08:00-10:00 
    • April 18 (Sat): 00:00-06:00
    • April 20 (Mon): 18:00-00:00
    • April 21 (Tues): 21:00-00:00
    • April 22 (Wed): 21:00-00:00
    • April 23 (Thurs): 03:00-06:00, 21:00-00:00 
    • April 25 (Sat): 00:00-06:00
    • April 26 (Sun): 00:00-03:00
    • April 27 (Mon): 02:00-06:00         
    • April 29 (Wed): 07:00-10:00 
For status updates on this and other upcoming downtimes, see the Connect Care Status page on Insite.
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2026-04-08

For Awareness: Connecting Personal Devices to AHSRestrict

Beginning April 8, 2026, the way non-prescriber staff connect their personal devices to corporate WiFi will change. Staff can currently access AHSRestrict and Healthspot using their work credentials. After this transition, non-prescribers' personal devices can only use Healthspot. This change will significantly enhance the security of the network and critical systems, and will roll out in small batches across the province with an expected completion date of July 2026.

Prescribers should not see an impact of this change and can continue to login and access WiFi as before, as both corporate-owned and prescribers' BYOD and personal devices will continue to have access to AHSRestrict. However, if any prescribers notice difficulty connecting to AHSRestrict, they should contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300) for assistance.

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2026-04-06

Discharge Planning Tool Enhancements for Prescribers

Building upon Fall 2025 enhancements (see previous post) further improvements to discharge planning tools are introduced this month. These are most relevant to prescribers, focusing on ease of access, editing, and tracking of inpatients':

Patient list columns now include improved hover-bubble displays and double-click editing. Key prescriber accountabilities can be fulfilled using the columns, without needing to open patient charts. Help links are embedded and a new "target" icon link opens relevant personal and group feedback dashboards.

Future postings will dig deeper into discharge planning tools most important for, and useful to, prescribers.

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2026-03-31

Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) Viewer in Connect Care

The Alberta Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) application is typically viewed within the Alberta Netcare Portal. It provides access to listings of medications dispensed by participating Alberta pharmacies. From April 1, 2026, a simplified PIN sidebar viewer is available within Connect Care. This summarizes the last year of a patient's dispensed medications without the need to open Netcare.

The Connect Care PIN viewer can be opened using links available in the Storyboard ("Other clinical systems") or the Sidebar ("Other systems" index item) of any opened chart (inpatient, emergency, outpatient). Links are also provided within the Admission navigator and the Home Medications section of the Orders activity.

Clinicians should review medication dispensing events when entering, editing or validating a patient's home medication list (medication reconciliation). 

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Alberta Immunization Record (IMM) Viewer in Connect Care

The Alberta Record of Immunization (IMM/ARI) includes information about immunizations administered by Alberta public health programs, as well as most community pharmacies. Private immunizations administered in physician offices or travel clinics may not be represented. 

The IMM/ARI application is typically viewed within the Alberta Netcare Portal. In addition, from April 1, 2026, a simplified IMM sidebar viewer is available within Connect Care. This summarizes a patient's Alberta record of immunization.

The Connect Care IMM viewer can be opened using links available in the Storyboard ("Other clinical systems") or the Sidebar ("Other systems" index item) of any opened chart (inpatient, emergency, outpatient). Links are also provided within the Connect Care immunization activity.

Clinicians should review both Connect Care and IMM immuniztion information when building a clinically relevant vaccination profile for a patient (immunization reconciliation). 

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2026-03-30

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 26 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • AI functionality and resources
  • Nicotine order tool updates
  • Mobile lab collection requisition now digitized
  • New GCD interim order OPA
  • "Not My Result" workflow optimization
  • Order search results now more tailored
  • Coming soon: updated medical readiness for discharge tools
  • Taming In Basket Phase 3 auto-expired message removal (April 13)
  • Lab eOrdering in the community
  • April Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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2026-03-27

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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2026-03-13

Reminder: Use Digital Workflow for Medical Certificate of Death

As previously posted, the digital workflow for completing a Medical Certificate of Death (MCoD) in Connect Care launched a few weeks ago, and we’re pleased to see many funeral homes readily adapting to the improved process. Deceased information is automatically sent from Connect Care to Vital Statistics, with no need for paper certificates.

To help all come onboard with the digital MCoD both in community hospitals and urban centres, please remember to always use the digital workflow. The Discharge as Deceased navigator (found via the Discharge Transfer Gateway) provides all instructions for the workflow, simply follow the steps as guided.

Paper forms are being retired... facility patient registration (admitting) departments, as well as Alberta funeral homes, expect electronic MCoD filing for all deaths where Connect Care is the record of care at the time of death.

For more information, see:

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On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last 3 weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2026-03-10

Unified Access Portal Update - March 12, 2026 (Action May Be Needed)

All Connect Care access happens via the "MyApps" Unified Access Portal (UAP), which uses Citrix Workspace. UAP will be undergoing a technology update on Thursday, March 12, 2026, between 18:00 and 21:00. Connect Care will remain available, and no interruptions to access are expected. There will also be no change to the appearance or function of the webpage. However, personal devices that have UAP bookmarked may require action: 

  • If your existing bookmark does not work after the update, ensure your bookmark URL is set to http://myapps.albertahealthservices.ca/.
  • If you have issues launching Citrix applications, follow your device’s steps to reinstall Citrix Workspace. 
Please contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300) if you require further assistance.

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2026-03-09

New Project: Electronic Lab Ordering in Community Clinics

To allow community-based prescribers to electronically order lab tests directly from within their office Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), a project to test a “minimally viable product” (MVP) for closed-loop lab e-ordering is being delivered through a partnership involving many stakeholders including the Government of Alberta’s Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS) ministry, Health Shared Services, Alberta Precision Laboratories, and relevant software vendors. 

The initial MVP project involving a single community EMR vendor (AVA) and a single clinic (Kneehill Clinic in Three Hills) went live on February 26, 2026. Following this first phase, there will be a period of evaluation with determination of how to proceed with phase 2 (e.g., broadening the scope of MVP participants, rollout to other vendors and clinics). 

The goal of the multi-year project is to have provincial adoption of lab e-ordering workflows in 80–90% of community clinics achieved by 2030. Stay tuned for more information as the project continues to evolve and progress.

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2026-03-06

Coming Soon: Digitized APL Mobile Collections Requisition

Mobile collection services are provided to eligible patients outside of lab collection centres, and must be ordered separately from other lab tests entered in Connect Care. To request mobile collections, completion of the Mobile Collections Requisition is required. Previously, the form could only be manually filled out and faxed. As of March 17, 2026, this form can be filled out and faxed directly from Connect Care, as with other Letter Forms. Using the Connect Care option not only reduces completion time, but also records confirmation in the patient’s chart that the mobile service has been requested. 

The Mobile Collections Requisition can be accessed in two different ways from Connect Care:

  • Sidebar Summary Index: Click the "Forms" link, then the "Service Requests" link under the "Letter Forms" section. Selecting "Mobile Collections Requisitions" will open the Communications activity window.
  • Communications activity: Click the "+ New Communication" link, then search for the "APL MOBILE" template in the "Choose Letter" section.

For detailed instructions on how to complete the form within Connect Care, see the updated guide (starting at page 4): 

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2026-03-05

Unexpected Delivery Location for Some Future Orders

As previously posted, on November 25, 2025, Connect Care updated the delivery of lab results to respect each provider’s chosen primary delivery location. Since then, some future orders (including pending standing orders and therapy plan orders) have been delivered to an unexpected location when the primary delivery location was changed after the order was entered, causing results to go to the location preferred at the time of signing. 

To ensure results are delivered to the updated delivery preference, providers are advised to:

  • cancel outstanding orders (including standing orders and therapy plans); and
  • issue replacement orders when they next see the patient.

For more information, see the memo: 

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2026-03-02

New Inpatient Bridging Medications Ordering Workflow

"Bridging medications" are intended to provide a limited supply of required medications at discharge/care transition in exceptional circumstances when a patient does not have supply at home or adequate, timely access to the medication(s) from a community or specialty pharmacy. They are provided only when necessary to meet the immediate needs of patients or vulnerable populations, and the amount provided are the minimum needed for the patient's health, safety, and ongoing treatment requirements (maximum 72 hours supply). 

There are certain legislative and scope of practice requirements for dispensing these medications. As of March 3, 2026, inpatient unit prescribers will be required to enter a “Bridging Medications Supply” order to facilitate preparation, notification, and safe dispensing of these medications in accordance with appropriate legislation and scope of practice requirements. 
  • Bridging medications must be ordered AFTER interfacility orders have been signed or discharge home medications have been fully reconciled. 
  • Pharmacy is responsible for preparing bridging medications; however, if pharmacy is unavailable or not given enough notice, then an appropriate healthcare professional (typically a nursing team member) is able to do so.
  • Note: This change does not impact the existing workflow for Emergency Room providers (and their existing bridging supply orders via the “Dispo” tab remains the same). 
For inpatient workflow details, see the Manual, tip sheet, and demo:
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2026-02-25

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 25 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • Requesting bridging medications (March 3)
  • Spring Daylight Savings Time (March 8)
  • New CMIO Health Shared Services emails
  • Accessing Insite/SharePoint links from Connect Care
  • Auto-closure of old co-sign order requests
  • Upcoming AMH Neuromodulation Therapy Plan updates (March 24)
  • Appropriate access and confidentiality of information in Connect Care
  • Digital Medical Certificate of Death workflow
  • Ordering bloodwork for patients on clozapine
  • Message templates for Secure Chat
  • March Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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2026-02-20

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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2026-02-19

All User Bulletin - Rover Alert for Held by Provider Medications

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

Rover Alert for Held by Provider Medications

An issue has been found where the alert for held medication administrations is not appearing as expected when nursing staff are administering medications using Rover. While this does not impact prescriber workflows, prescribers should be aware that this issue may result in Held by Provider medications being inadvertently administered to patients. 

Epic is working on a fix for this issue to be released in an upcoming patch version for Rover (date yet to be determined). In the meantime, more information can be found in the bulletin and tip sheet (for nursing staff).

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2026-02-13

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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2026-02-11

In Basket Help is Here – Book a Class or 1:1 Session Now

Want to shave time off from your Connect Care In Basket/messaging workflows? Want to clean up your In Basket? The CMIO Prescriber Experience team has some great online classes and one-on-one sessions where we share small changes that will streamline your documentation and reduce unnecessary clicks.

If you have 15, 30, or 60 minutes, we can find a time to meet your needs:

  • 15-min 1:1 session: Virtually meet with a trainer to learn how using the “Quick Action” feature can help you – click here and select “In Basket Quick Actions 1:1” to see available times and register.
  • 30-min 1:1 session: Virtually meet with a trainer to help work through your current In Basket backlog – click here and select “In Basket Clean Up 1:1” to see available times and register.
  • 1-hr class: Join an online class to learn multiple tips and tricks to help work through your messages efficiently – click here and select “In Basket” to see available times and register.
  • Can’t see a date/time that fits your schedule? Email help.cmio@healthsharedservices.ca with some options what would work for you.

Prefer to learn on your own? Check out our new/updated resources: 

Let us know at help.cmio@healthsharedservices.ca if you have questions – we're happy to help. Interested in other classes we offer? Monthly schedules are posted on the Connect Care Support Blog, with more information here.

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2026-02-06

Autopsy Workflow in Connect Care

The Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form is now available in Connect Care via completion of the following two components:

  • Autopsy Consent eForm
  • Autopsy Request Order (deceased patient) order set

Both the consent and ordering steps are highlighted in the "Eligibility Criteria" section of the Discharge as Deceased navigator (found via the Discharge Transfer Gateway), and both must be completed for an autopsy to proceed. The Discharge as Deceased navigator provides all instructions for these workflows, simply follow the steps as guided. The Autopsy Consent eForm can also be accessed via the Consent & eForms navigator.

Note that, as with the Medical Certificate of Death, prescribers should now only use the digital workflow; paper forms will soon be phased out. 

For more information, see:

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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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2026-02-02

MyChart Proxy Access Changes

There have been important changes to parent and guardian access to their child’s online health records. The changes impact MyChart functionality, and bring workflow changes for regulated healthcare providers using Connect Care, including prescribers. 

A recording of a Virtual Office Hours session with information and tips is available, and the Connect Care Manual and relevant resources linked there have been updated to reflect these changes.

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2026-01-30

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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2026-01-29

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 24 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • Overdue endoscopy/bronchoscopy reports
  • Scheduled Connect Care downtime (Feb 12) and transparent lockdown (Feb 9-12)
  • Digital Medical Certificate of Death, Autopsy Consent, and Autopsy request order
  • Measles history in Connect Care
  • New inpatient cirrhosis care support tools
  • New blood restrictions documentation workflow
  • Taming In Basket - more In Basket message types to auto-expire, plus messages being permanently purged Feb 1
  • Upcoming changes to display of glucometer results (Feb 3)
  • New workflow for requesting bridging medications coming soon
  • RNs/RPNs as authorizing providers in Connect Care coming soon
  • Requesting external sendout (referred) lab tests, plus upcoming new cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) external send out test order
  • Finding inpatient consult orders
  • Keeping contact information up-to-date
  • February Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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2026-01-26

New Blood Restrictions Documentation Workflow [Updated]

As of January 29, 2026, a new blood restrictions workflow in Connect Care will be in place to ensure clear, consistent documentation of patients’ blood preferences.

Key changes include:

  • A dedicated place to document blood restrictions (including specific blood components and/or products) called the "Blood Restrictions Assessment" worksheet, to be found in the Consent & eForms Navigator.
  • Documented blood restrictions will flow into the applicable Consent eForms, Consent to Surgery or Invasive Procedure and Consent to Treatment Plan or Procedure.
  • Alerts about blood restrictions will be improved to support more automated and streamlined workflows when ordering blood.
    • FYI Flags
      • The existing FYI Flag (Blood Refusals) is renamed to "Blood Restrictions".
      • The FYI Flag now triggers automatically upon documenting blood restrictions.
      • When blood restrictions are updated, the user is prompted to review whether or not to remove the FYI Flag.
    • Our Practice Advisories (OPAs)
      • An OPA appears when a blood product/component (or related) is ordered, but the patient has documented blood restrictions.
      • An OPA appears when a blood product/component (or related) is ordered, but the patient has documented beliefs that require a review of restrictions.
      • When blood restrictions are updated, the user is prompted to review whether or not to remove the FYI Flag.
  • A net new workflow and form will be available when a patient has blood restrictions but there is no upcoming treatment, procedure, or blood transfusion planned. The new Advanced Expressed Wishes and Instructions – Blood Components and Products consent form will be found in the Consent & eForms Navigator.

Please note that workflows for informed consent process are not changing. The new features standardize the ability to document blood restrictions and increase visibility in the system for patients with blood restrictions.

Updated resources are linked below. An upcoming Virtual Office Hour will be held on this topic for those interested, with additional post-launch dates:

For questions not addressed by the above resources, please contact ConnectCare.Consent@healthsharedservices.ca.

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2026-01-23

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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