Connect Care Bytes Blog: February 2024

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.

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.

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.

2024-02-19

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

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.

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:

General

Launch 8

Launch 8 Countdown Checklist

Support

Manual

See What's New (updates and additions)
Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers

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:

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.

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.

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: