2023-02-27

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 67: Get Ready for Patient Movement

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • (Optional) Register for the 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 March 1317 includes Patient Movement Fundamentals readiness events. These sessions outline basic functions that support safe movement of patients through a facility; related workflows are explored. Each of these one-hour sessions are described in a Patient Movement Readiness Handbook, where registration links are provided. Note all sessions will be recorded and posted a few days after on Insite.

A self-guided learning video series with videos relevant to your work area is also available via a guide, linked below.

2023-02-24

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 70: Report Wireless Gaps

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • Report Wireless Coverage Gaps
As part of launch readiness efforts, the wireless networks in Launch 6 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.

2023-02-22

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 72: Confirm Remote Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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 6 are authorized for remote access by Zone Medical Affairs, who should be contacted for support (Calgary Zone: CAL.MedAffairsConnectCare@ahs.ca; Central Zone: CZMAprivileging@ahs.ca; Edmonton Zone: Edm.MedicalAffairs@ahs.ca). For NPs needing remote access support, contact Provincial NP Services (advancedpracticenursing@ahs.ca).

2023-02-21

Connect Care Satisfaction Survey

You are invited to share your experiences with Connect Care! 

AHS has partnered with KLAS Research and the Arch Collaborative group, who administer standardized surveys across many healthcare organizations to collaborate, share successes and improvements and uncover best practices, in an effort to improve Connect Care in Alberta. 

It is important that we know how the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) is working for you, so we can continue to adapt and improve the system. This survey will be available for 4 weeks, until March 24, 2023, and should take 8-10 minutes to complete. Your information will not be shared without your permission. Please complete the questions so we can work to improve the function of Connect Care. This survey is specifically for clinical staff who provide direct patient care. 

Aggregated survey results, which do not identify individuals or their responses, will be shared with AHS by KLAS and Arch Collaborative so we can better understand your experience and continue to improve Connect Care for you and Albertans. 

Providing feedback about your experiences in Connect Care will give AHS the information needed to make improvements for future launches and for those currently working in the system. Results of the survey will be shared back by the end of June. 

The survey and an FAQ can be accessed via the below links. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to ConnectCareSatisfactionSurvey@ahs.ca.

2023-02-17

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:

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 77: Choose Personal Device(s)

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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:

2023-02-15

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 79: Confirm AHS Network Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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.

2023-02-13

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 81: Complete InfoCare (On Our Best Behaviours) Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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.

2023-02-10

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 84: Bookmark Manual and Updates

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
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. 

2023-02-08

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 86: Bookmark Prescriber Resources

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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:

2023-02-06

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 88: Check Alberta Referral Directory

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • 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 6 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.

2023-02-03

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:

2023-02-01

Countdown Checklist L6, T-minus 93: Consider Training Options

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 6 prescribers readying for launch May 6, 2023...
  • Consider Connect Care Launch 6 Training Options
Virtual as well as in-person classes are available, with appropriate COVID-19 awareness and precautions. In-person classes have all the necessary measures in place to offer safe training. 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 6 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.