2025-09-11

Changes to Discharge Planning Tools

As part of the Fall 2025 Upgrade, a number of enhancements are made to Connect Care's discharge planning tools. These simplify user experiences, speed data updates, and ensure consistency across workflows. 

While the greatest change relates to how nursing and Allied Health track readiness for discharge, prescribers should note updates to the discharge-planning sidebar, multidisciplinary readiness “traffic lights”, and standardization of discharge disposition options.

2025-09-09

Connect Care Scheduled Downtime and Fall Upgrade - Thursday September 11, 2025, 00:30-04:30

What you need to know

The Connect Care clinical information system needs periodic maintenance. The next scheduled update will occur during downtime on Thursday, September 11, 2025, between 00:30 and 04:30. On this occasion, all Connect Care production systems are affected, including Hyperdrive, Transfusion (WellSky), Content (Quanum), Dictation (Dragon Medical One), MUSE and ECG Web, MyAHS Connect, and the Link Provider Portal.  

  • PRD SRO (the read-only copy of the production environment) will be available during this outage; PRD SRO is accessible from any computer used for documenting in Connect Care regularly. Netcare also remains available. 
  • Note there are also limitations on managing personalization settings before (and during) this period due to the transparent lockdown, previously posted about here
  • Users can preview the upgraded applications in the PLY/PLY2 environment and practice using the exercise booklets starting September 2.

This downtime window is specifically for the Fall 2025 Upgrade, with changes to most Connect Care applications. These changes are primarily enhancements and will affect all prescribers using Connect Care. Also, as part of this upgrade, MyAHS Connect will be renamed to MyChart. General summaries of the change impacts for Ambulatory and Inpatient Orders are available in comprehensive slide decks linked below, with additional slide decks detailing track-specific changes. These slide decks include links to tip sheets hosted by Epic; users will need to have an Epic account to view them. In addition, a tip sheet details changes specific to Mobility (Haiku/Canto). All these resources are also linked to from the Manual. 

What you need to do

BEFORE DOWNTIME

    • Complete orders and documentation in the chart before downtime begins.
    • Stop using PRD for orders 15 minutes prior to downtime, as they may not be processed.

DURING DOWNTIME

    • Check with Unit Clerk/Charge Nurse to confirm processes for ordering, documentation, and patient movement.
    • Use paper documents provided in clinics and inpatient units, with forms appropriate for orders and/or charting.
    • Postpone, if possible, routine orders or documentation until after downtime. This will limit amount of data entry and reconciliation required post-downtime.
    • Orders: Use paper order sheets for essential orders during downtime.
    • Documentation: Use paper forms for essential documentation for procedures or intervention results and reports.

AFTER DOWNTIME

    • Prescribers are responsible for the following activities for any patient admission, transfer, or discharge:
      • Updating the problem list
      • Completing medication reconciliation
      • Entering admission, discharge, or visit diagnosis
    • Prescribers receiving In Basket messages about missing chart elements should follow the link to the missing chart element and, for non-ED prescribers, enter “.DOWNTIME” (SmartPhrase) to complete the chart element, indicating that content is available elsewhere in the chart. For ED prescribers, use the SmartPhrase ".DTNOTE".

Where you can find more information

For essential information on downtime procedures, see the 1-page tip sheet. For additional information, see the Connect Care Manual:

Enhancements to Summative Document (Inpatient Notes) Delivery

Starting September 11, 2025, Connect Care is introducing improvements that give authoring providers greater control over how inpatient notes are routed. 

  • Authors will be able to:
    • view all automatic recipients, 
    • add additional providers as needed, 
    • choose delivery methods (eDelivery, Fax, Mail, or In Basket), and 
    • send a broader range of inpatient note types, including sensitive ones.
  • As a result of these improvements, automatic routing of some summative documents to authors will be disabled, as authors will have the option to include themselves as recipients. 
  • The six summative document types (Discharge Summaries, ED Provider Notes, etc.) will continue to be automatically routed to the patient’s primary care provider (PCP) to support continuity of care.

If you need support, contact the Alberta Health Services Solution Centre at 1-877-311-4300.

For more information, see: 

PAC Optimization Project Launching October 21

The Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Optimization Project will launch on October 21, 2025, bringing important updates to pre-procedure workflows that directly affect prescribers across surgical and non-surgical specialties. These changes are designed to improve scheduling accuracy, reduce late cancellations, and streamline ordering.

This project affects over 3,500 prescribers across Alberta, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, proceduralists, and others. The CMIO Prescriber Experience and Training Team is committed to supporting you through these changes.

Key Changes for Prescribers

Prescribers will see updates to the following (see the PAC Optimization Project page in the Connect Care Manual for more details). The order set changes will break existing personalization, so prescribers will need to re-personalize their order sets.

  • Case Request Order: New questions and layout changes.
  • PAC Appointment Request: Will be a standalone order.
  • Preprocedure Order Sets: Revised with new and updated orders. 
  • PAC Orders in Preprocedure Sets: All PAC orders will be signed and held.

Support for Re-Personalization

To help prescribers navigate these changes, there will be various levels of support available (see the PAC Optimization Project Manual page for more details):

  • Virtual Drop-in Room: October 21-24 and 27-31 during daytime hours.
  • Help Desk Support: For non-urgent and after hours support.
  • Premade Preprocedure Order Sets: Available in system October 21.
  • Updated Training Materials: Available by October 20.

What You Can Do Now

  • Review your current order sets and prepare for re-personalization.
  • Watch the PAC Optimization Project page in the Connect Care Manual for updates closer to launch.
  • Bookmark Help Desk contact info for launch week.

For questions or personalized support, contact:

2025-09-08

Fall 2025 Upgrade: 4 New Things in Connect Care for Inpatient Users

As previously posted, the Fall 2025 Upgrade to the Connect Care clinical information system will occur on September 11, with changes to most Connect Care applications. Slide decks with general and track-specific summaries are available in the downtime notice and the Connect Care Manual

In addition to those detailed summaries, a short video highlighting four of the key changes for the Inpatient context is now available! It goes through the new orders taskbar, ability to easily graph patient lab results, ability to create customized Results Review views, and increased functionality of the Search bar.

If you have a few minutes, check it out.

2025-09-05

All User Bulletin - Internet Security Certificate Update (Action May Be Needed)

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

Internet Security Certificate Update - Personal devices may require user action

On September 4 and 5, 2025, AHS IT Identity-Directory Services will renew its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate servers. This PKI service manages electronic security certificates and unique electronic keys that verify end users, devices, systems and servers throughout AHS and its affiliates. AHS devices and personal devices enrolled in the AHS Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program should not be impacted, but personal devices not enrolled in BYOD may be impacted and require user action. Prescribers who haven't yet done so may want to consider enrolling their device in BYOD prior to this change.

  • AHS devices and personal devices enrolled in BYOD: No action is required by users if their computer or mobility device is enrolled in BYOD. PKI certificates will be automatically updated.
  • Personal devices not enrolled in BYOD: Both Android and Apple devices may be impacted by this change. Users may see warnings to the effect that a security certificate cannot be verified, and will then need to follow a few simple steps on or after September 5 to restore AHSRestrict wireless connectivity following the PKI update (see memo for more details).

For instructions for affected users on what actions may be required, see the memo.

2025-09-04

Using Generative AI Safely at AHS

The CMIO's Physician Design Lead for artificial intelligence (AI), Dr. Darren Hudson, has produced an instructional video for clinicians on using generative AI safely at AHS. 

In the video, Dr. Hudson first walks us through the basics of what generative AI is, what some potential issues of using generative AI are, and what form of generative AI is available and approved for use at AHS (i.e., Microsoft Copilot Chat). He then demos a variety of Copilot functions and answers common questions clinicians may have about using AI. 

If you have a few minutes, take a look! IT also has a number of 1-hour Virtual Office Hours sessions on Copilot coming up in September and October, for anyone wanting to ask further questions. Registration information and other IT resources available on Copilot are linked below. 

2025-09-03

Phased Replacement of IMPAX Viewer - Calgary Zone Next

As previously posted, Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) is replacing the IMPAX system as the new Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS). The final phase of implementation will be in Calgary Zone, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. With PEI implementation, OrthoView will also replace MediCAD as the orthopedic templating software. 

  • PEI Implementation
    • After PEI implementation, many medical staff will view diagnostic images and reports via the XERO Viewer in Connect Care.
    • Training is required to access PEI; training is available through MyLearningLink (MLL). Calgary Zone physicians and staff who require PEI access should be able to see the PEI course in their MLL.
    • If your role requires emergent access to images and you do not have the course in your MLL, please contact ProvincialEnterpriseImaging@ahs.ca
  • OrthoView Implementation

    • OrthoView is an advanced orthopedic planning tool integrated within PEI.
    • To learn more about OrthoView, see the poster for links to resources, including a recorded 1-hour OrthoView training session
    • Live training for OrthoView is available September 10, 16, and 22. To register, please email ProvincialEnterpriseImaging@ahs.ca.

For more information, see the posters. 

2025-08-28

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 20 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "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:

  • Fall Upgrade (September 11) - updates, transparent lockdown, and downtime
  • Upcoming Connect Care changes (also September 11):
    • Delivery of summative documents (inpatient notes)
    • Discharge planning tools
  • Upcoming changes from IT (beginning September):
    • Internet security certificate update (action may be needed for personal devices)
    • Switch to Microsoft 365 web apps for shared AHS computers
  • Central Zone Associate Chief Medical Information Officer announcement
  • September Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • Ketorolac Injection/Oral Ibuprofen Drug Stewardship initiative and related Connect Care changes
  • "Collateral Visit Provided" referral request rejection reason
  • Holter monitor orders for rural patients
  • Viewing diagnostic images with Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI)/Xero Viewer
  • Printing from Connect Care using a BYOD device
  • 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. 

2025-08-27

Upcoming Change for Users of Shared AHS Computers - Microsoft 365 Web Apps

In 2025, approximately 80% of physicians, staff, and volunteers at AHS and affiliate organizations are transitioning to Microsoft 365 (M365) web apps for improved security and cost-efficiency. IT is in the final stages of this transition, and prescribers affected by this will begin transitioning in early September, expecting to be completed by November 2025.

Does This Affect You?

There are three prescriber types in relation to the switch to M365 web apps, each with different use cases and impacts. All prescriber types will continue to access AHS Microsoft files using their AHS credentials.

  • "Independent" prescribers (use personal- or professional-licensed Microsoft apps on a personal device): No change, no action needed
  • "Deskless" prescribers (use AHS shared computer): Will be switching to M365 web apps, see summary of changes below
  • "Desked" prescribers (use assigned/dedicated AHS computer): No change, welcome to learn about and use M365 web apps

For "Deskless" Prescribers Switching to M365 Web Apps
  • Prescribers who use only shared computers will switch to using the web versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for creating and editing files. 
  • Will only be able to view and print documents using the desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • The web apps function differently than the desktop versions, especially for tasks like opening, editing, and downloading files. 
  • Emails will be sent to your AHS or affiliate mailbox 1 week and 1 day prior to the change with detailed information and supporting resources.
  • We recommend investing time in learning to use the M365 web apps. They are fast, integrated with the cloud, and secure.
For more information on the switch to M365 web apps, see:

2025-08-26

Announcement: Central Zone Associate Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Hannes Conradie

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hannes Conradie has joined the Chief Medical Information Office team as the new Associate Chief Medical Information Officer (aCMIO) for the Central Zone.

Hannes is a family physician with a strong background in hospitalist medicine, palliative care, addictions, and Medical Assistance in Dying. Hannes received his medical education at the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1992 and came to Canada a couple years later, spending his first Canadian winter in Newfoundland. After serving the communities in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia for nearly 20 years combined, Hannes has called Red Deer and the Red Deer Regional Hospital home for the past 12 years, having found the work culture and camaraderie among the physicians there rather unique. Since 2015, Hannes has been the Lead Physician for the Red Deer Hospitalist Group, and since 2017 has been a Connect Care Medical Informatics Lead for the Central Zone.

Outside the professional sphere, Hannes enjoys camping in the mountains with his wife and dogs, as well as hiking, golfing, and spending time with close friends.

As he moves into the aCMIO role, Hannes is excited to help lead the next phase in Central Zone’s Connect Care journey, particularly in improving user experience for prescribers and exploring the use of interactive AI functionality within Connect Care.

Please join us in welcoming Hannes to our team! We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Aaron Pink for his service in the role of aCMIO Central Zone for the past year and half. Thankfully, he is not leaving us and we will continue to benefit from his expertise in his ongoing role as a Provincial Medical Informatics Lead (PMIL).

2025-08-22

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

2025-08-21

All User Bulletin - Lab Results Automatically Resent Without Changes

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

Lab Results Automatically Resent Without Changes 

In the process of cleaning up old panels in Connect Care, 460,000 stale lab orders (older than 1 year) were recently deleted. This, however, triggered 909 labs being automatically re-resulted to the orderer. There was no change to these results, and the affected orderers have not been contacted by Lab directly.

If prescribers have any questions about a re-resulted lab, please call the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300.

2025-08-08

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

Best Practice Review - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Connect Care Printing

AHS IT provides best effort support for BYOD/personal laptops such as Macbooks or Microsoft Surface devices. There are two ways for BYOD users to print documents from Connect Care; however, only one is supported and recommended by AHS IT:

  • Virtual Local Printing (VLP) - This method requires the user to select a printer for each print job. It is the only method supported by AHS IT for printing from Connect Care on BYOD devices.
  • Server-Side Printing - This method requires mapping a particular device to a printer; once mapped, print jobs from that device would automatically route to a pre-mapped printer. Server-side printing from Connect Care on BYOD devices is not supported by AHS IT.

Why isn’t BYOD server-side printing supported?

Server-side printing requires workstations to stay in the same unit and have unique names. As neither of these conditions is guaranteed for BYOD devices, multiple users with the same default BYOD device name could potentially print to the same printer, regardless of their department location. This creates a major risk for privacy breaches.

How to get printing support for your BYOD device

If you need help setting up Virtual Local Printing, see the below tip sheet or call the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300. Please do not request server-side printing for BYOD devices. 

2025-08-01

On Other Channels...

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

2025-07-31

New eLearning Module - Documenting Patient Contacts, Capacity and Decision-Making

A new eLearning module, Epic – Consent & eForms Navigator – Documenting Patient Contacts, Capacity and Decision Making, is now available within MyLearningLink for all users. This module provides an overview of documenting patient contacts, patient capacity, and decision-makers is Connect Care. 

While existing practice requirements and expectations remain the same, the course offers step-by-step support as well as some complex scenario examples. Users can skip ahead to any section, depending on what scenario they are most interested in or require just-in-time support with. While not a required eLearning, completion of this module is strongly recommended to help minimize risk in contexts of capacity and decision-making. 

Users can access the module by logging in to MyLearningLink, navigating to "Required Courses", and looking within the Connect Care Enrichment role. Alternatively, it can be searched for with the eLearning module name.

Please contact ConnectCare.Consent@ahs.ca with any questions.

2025-07-17

UPDATE - New Discharge Transfer Gateway Clarifies Transfer and Discharge Workflows

We previously posted about release of a new "Discharge Transfer Gateway" for inpatient charts opened by prescribers. The intent is to better guide clinicians through workflows for transferring patients within facilities (hospitals) as well as from one facility to another; with specific provisions for destinations with or without Connect Care information services.

Since release, we've received optimization requests, with the following enhancements now implemented:

2025-07-11

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

2025-07-04

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

Upgrade to Citrix MyApps Store - Tuesday July 8, 2025, 18:00-19:00 (Action May Be Needed)

Remote access to clinical applications, including Connect Care, happens through a software application called Citrix Workspace, accessed via the Citrix MyApps Store. The MyApps Store will have a scheduled upgrade on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 18:00 to 19:00. This upgrade introduces a refreshed user interface and some important changes to functionality that may impact prescribers. Access to Connect Care will continue during the upgrade without interruption. 

  • Favourited Icons Reset: Most favourited icons will be removed from the desktop. The applications will still be available from the upgraded MyApps Store; users can re-favourite as needed following the upgrade (see the 1-pager for instructions). 
    • PRD and PLY will remain favourited.
  • Citrix Session Persistence: The “Session Persistence Disabled” option will no longer be available, meaning a user's Citrix session will now automatically follow them from one device to another. I.e., when logging in to a different device, your Citrix session (and Connect Care) will open as well.
    • With this change, users will no longer be able to be logged in on more than one computer at the same time, to avoid unintentionally "stealing" someone else’s Connect Care session. 
    • This change does not impact Citrix sessions on auto logon computers.
  • Citrix Issue Resolution: If an issue with Citrix is encountered on one device (e.g., Computer A), switching to another device (e.g., Computer B) will not resolve the issue. Instead, users should:
    • Try logging off and back on, or rebooting.
    • Contact the AHS Service Desk for support if the issue persists.
Following the upgrade, if unable to launch the MyApps Store or desktop icons aren’t working, log out of the computer and log back in. If you require further information or assistance, please contact the AHS Service Desk at 1-877-311-4300.

2025-06-30

New Discharge Transfer Gateway to Replace Transfer and Discharge Navigators

As of June 26, 2025, a new “Discharge Transfer Gateway” can be found in all patient charts opened to an inpatient encounter. The Gateway replaces the prior “Transfer” and “Discharge” navigators. It provides simple instructions, together with help and other links to supporting information, to help prescribers select the best tool for facilitating patient journeys to different destinations. These include discharge to home, within-facility transfers, and inter-facility transfers (IFTs). For IFTs, the Gateway provides distinct pathways for Connect Care and non-Connect Care destinations, and whether the transfer is within Alberta or out-of-province. Selecting the best path ensures that the right information is reviewed, actions are taken and documentation is completed. 

The new Gateway has three main sections, detailed below (click the camera icon to see a screenshot). Note there may be variances for some specialties (e.g., ASAP, Critical Care).

  • Discharge from Current Facility – Includes 2 subsections:
    • Home or Community Services
    • Deceased 
  • Transfer within Current Facility – For all intra-facility transfers
  • Send to Another Facility – Includes 5 subsections, with 4 for IFTs:
    • Leave of Absence
    • Acute Care Facility within Alberta – For IFTs to an in-province acute care facility 
    • Acute Care Facility outside of Alberta – For IFTs to an out-of-province acute care facility
    • Continuing Care Facility within Alberta, Connect Care – For IFTs to an in-province Continuing Care facility that uses Connect Care
    • Continuing Care Facility within Alberta, NOT Connect Care – For IFTs to an in-province Continuing Care facility that does NOT use Connect Care 

This change affects all inpatient Connect Care configurations. The Clinician Manual is updated with revised tip sheets and demos. 

Prescribers continue to have the ability to personalize chart activity tabs, including favouriting individual tabs for the discharge, deceased and transfer navigators.

2025-06-27

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

2025-06-26

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 19 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "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:

  • July Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • New tool for inpatient transitions of care: Discharge Transfer Gateway
  • Improvements to Mental Health Act Forms and workflows
  • Ambulatory referral edits
  • New Connect Quality project for CPSA PPIP requirements: Quality Discharge Documentation
  • New Pre-Admission Clinic navigator for General Internal Medicine coming soon
  • Upcoming upgrade to Dragon Medical One, may require action to change display settings
  • Upcoming changes for immunosuppressant medication ordering
  • Upcoming changes to Citrix MyApps Store, may require re-favouriting
  • Using QuickActions to manage In Basket tasks
  • Auto-deletion of unsigned pended/saved inpatient orders
  • New resources on Mobile Lab ordering and managing outpatient labs and orders
  • 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. Note there will not be a July issue, so the next will be in August.

2025-06-24

Connect Quality - New CPSA PPIP Project Now Available on Discharge Documentation

Connect Quality is a free program created by the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) to help you meet your College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) project requirements! Our goal is to make your work easier. We have organized the resources, training, reporting tools, and documentation required for you to meet CPSA PPIP requirements, so you can focus on looking after your patients.

Four Connect Quality projects are currently available, covering the activities CPSA requires physicians to complete over a 5-year cycle: 

  • In Basket Turnaround Time for the practice-driven quality improvement activity;
  • Problem List Maintenance and (new!) Quality Discharge Documentation, both for the CPSA's Standards of Practice quality improvement activity; and, 
  • User Settings to Improve Efficiency and Well-Being, for the personal development activity. 
For each project, Connect Quality provides:
  • A guide that outlines viewing objective data and metrics within Connect Care. This includes within Signal, as well as in-system Dashboards.
  • An example Action Plan.
  • Interventions that can be selected including Optimization classes, and self-study options.
  • A template that can be used to document all CPSA requirements.

…And have we mentioned that Connect Quality is FREE?!

Sign up today at connectquality.ca! For more information, reach out to your Site Medical Informatics Lead (Site MIL) or email CMIO.Optimization@ahs.ca.

2025-06-20

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

Upcoming Webinar: Improving the Quality of Discharge Summaries

As part of the Alberta Medical Association's "Transitions in Care Talk" webinar series that explores evidence-informed practices to support patients transitioning from home to hospital and back home, a session on Improving the Quality of Discharge Summaries will be taking place on June 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00.

This virtual session will be hosted by AMA-ACTT and presented by Primary Care Alberta, and will feature speakers from the Chief Medical Information Office (CMIO) Prescriber Experience and Medical Informatics Team.
  • Learning objectives of webinar:
    • Understand the benefits and challenges of sending, receiving and acting on discharge summaries in acute care, primary care and assisted living settings.
    • Learn about a newly developed quality improvement tool for physicians that works toward practice-driven or CPSA Standards of Practice quality improvement Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) activities.
  • This webinar is designed for:
    • Primary care physicians and clinic teams
    • Acute care physicians and clinic teams
    • Nurse practitioners and other providers
    • Panel managers
    • Practice facilitators
Visit the AMA website to register, and to see related resources: