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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