2026-07-30

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 29 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:

  • Changes to the Associate Chief Medical Officer (ACMIO) program
  • Indigenous Health Documentation Sprint
  • Telehealth software update - RealPresence Desktop app replaced with Pexip web app
  • AVS BYOD printing routing change in select EDs
  • Dexcom G7 CGM data integration with Connect Care
  • New Transfusion Appointment Request order available for PRN blood transfusions
  • Initiative to clean up SmartLink Library
  • Upcoming transparent lockdown impacting new personalizations (August 10-13)
  • Coming soon: GI and/or Surgical MOA role/workflow changes - second sign, case cancellation (August 25)
  • August 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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Indigenous Health Documentation Sprint - Highlights of 2-Month Evaluation

In a coordinated effort between Indigenous Health subject matter experts and the Digital Health team, a Documentation Sprint for the Indigenous Health space took place between September 2025 and April 2026. As part of this initiative, several key changes were implemented: 

  • The Indigenous Health flowsheet was updated to better represent the work being done by Indigenous Health staff.
  • New SmartText was developed that pulls data from the Indigenous Health flowsheet.
  • A new Indigenous Health Navigator was developed to streamline workflow and improve usability.
  • Use of Indigenous Health Provider Teams was implemented.

A 2-month post-implementation evaluation looked at several measures related to these changes and highlighted early indicators of the positive impact these changes have already made:

  • Comprehensive documentation and increased tool usage - Usage of the Indigenous Health flowsheet more than doubled, and there was clear uptake of the new SmartText tool.
  • Reduced documentation time - The average active time spent documenting in the flowsheet decreased by approximately 30%.
  • Reduced cancelled consults - There was a 26% decrease in the number of cancelled consults.
  • Improved timeliness in documentation - There was a significant reduction in documentation latency, i.e., the time between the patient encounter and documentation.
  • Improved efficiency in consult completion - There was nearly a 70% reduction in time between consult and completion of encounter.

All together, these early indicators demonstrate that giving providers access to culturally inclusive documentation tools makes it easier to document care, reduces the time they spend doing so, lets them finish consults faster, and targets the right care to the right patient. Next steps in this initiative will include continued monitoring, gathering user feedback, and further refinement of the tools and workflow.

Congratulations to all who were involved in this excellent work!

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2026-07-24

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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2026-07-15

Seeking PHA-Aligned Associate Chief Medical Information Officers

The Associate Chief Medical Information Officer (ACMIO) program within the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) team at Health Shared Services (HSS) was originally structured to fit the zone-based model from when Alberta Health Services (AHS) was the Alberta provincial health authority, with each of the five ACMIO positions tied to a specific zone-oriented appointment. With the refocusing of Alberta's health system, including the creation of the new Provincial Health Agencies (PHAs) and transition away from zonal decision-making, the ACMIO program is being restructured to better align.

  • The previous five zonal ACMIO positions, which currently represent only acute care due to the change in scope of AHS, are being revised to two ACMIO positions, both reporting to the Acute Care Alberta PHA: 
    • ACMIO, Acute Care - Medical Specialties
    • ACMIO, Acute Care - Procedural Specialties
  • Three new ACMIO positions are being introduced, each to represent a particular PHA: 
    • ACMIO, Assisted Living Alberta
    • ACMIO, Primary Care Alberta
    • ACMIO, Recovery Alberta
Each ACMIO will report jointly to the Chief Medical Information Officer at HSS and the Chief Medical Officer of the relevant PHA, and will work in partnership with clinical, operational, and IT leaders to advance the integration of clinical informatics across the continuum of care. As trusted advisors and catalysts for change, the ACMIOs will champion the strategic adoption and optimization of Digital Health initiatives, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation to support high-quality, patient-centered, and evidence-informed care. The ACMIOs also play critical roles in aligning clinical informatics initiatives with the broader organizational goals and the needs of their respective PHA.

We are incredibly grateful for the leadership, expertise, and contributions our current ACMIOs have made. However, given the significant changes in portfolio scope and responsibilities, we are unable to directly transition the five existing ACMIOs into these new roles. Competition for these positions is now open. The postings will remain open until suitable candidates are found. 
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2026-07-10

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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