The December 20, 2019, Connect Care Newsletter is available via the link below; covering 1) Connect Care sequencing, 2) Wave 1 Unit Story, 3) Reporting Content Certification, 4) Champions:
2019-12-21
2019-12-20
Connect Care Physician Supports during Holiday Period
Escalations of physician help requests have become relatively rare, which is reassuring as we enter the winter holiday season and reduced support staffing.
The CMIO portfolio has organized to ensure that clinical informatics and medical informatics resources are available on-call over this time. User support methods remain the same (see the Support section of the Connect Care Physician Manual) with the CMIO resources available if Help Desk is not able to resolve a problem.
The CMIO portfolio has organized to ensure that clinical informatics and medical informatics resources are available on-call over this time. User support methods remain the same (see the Support section of the Connect Care Physician Manual) with the CMIO resources available if Help Desk is not able to resolve a problem.
2019-12-19
Connect Care Wave Adjustments
With the launch of Connect Care’s Wave 1 in November almost behind us, we are now looking ahead to the next launches, occurring in waves over the next few years.
Following extensive discussion, senior leaders have adjusted the timing and scope of Connect Care’s Waves 2 and 3, and modified the scope of Waves 4 and 5. Wave 1 launched in November 2019 successfully and we want to align upcoming launch plans with lessons learned.
Patient care and safety, along with the needs of staff and physicians, is at the forefront of all of planning decisions, including this one. While mindful of healthcare funding constraints, the Connect Care initiative continues to be fully resourced to achieve its original completion targets. This includes working to resolve outstanding issues and challenges. We want to optimize timing so that staff and physicians within future waves are ready and supported at their launch dates.
Here is a summary of the modified Connect Care wave sequencing and timing:
The current plan reflects the best information available today. We may need to make future adjustments as we continue to learn from, and adapt to, each Connect Care launch. We’ll also continue to be responsive to the needs of patients, families, staff and physicians.
Following extensive discussion, senior leaders have adjusted the timing and scope of Connect Care’s Waves 2 and 3, and modified the scope of Waves 4 and 5. Wave 1 launched in November 2019 successfully and we want to align upcoming launch plans with lessons learned.
Patient care and safety, along with the needs of staff and physicians, is at the forefront of all of planning decisions, including this one. While mindful of healthcare funding constraints, the Connect Care initiative continues to be fully resourced to achieve its original completion targets. This includes working to resolve outstanding issues and challenges. We want to optimize timing so that staff and physicians within future waves are ready and supported at their launch dates.
Here is a summary of the modified Connect Care wave sequencing and timing:
- Waves 2 and 3 (launching in May 2020) will include Calgary Zone rural and urgent care sites and the clinics and services aligned with those, and Edmonton Zone suburban sites.
- All of the Central Zone rollout, initially planned for Wave 2, will be moved to Wave 4.
- Waves 4 and 5 have scope and timelines recalibrated to ensure they are not too compressed by the delay of Central Zone’s rollout. The wave implementation schedule remains the same.
- Wave 4 (launching November 2020) will include the Royal Alexandra and Glenrose Hospitals in Edmonton Zone, all of Central Zone and Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary Zone.
- Wave 5 (launching May 2021) includes Peace Country and Grande Prairie hospitals) in North Zone, the Foothills Medical Centre and South Health Campus hospitals in Calgary Zone, cancer programs in the north and south, and the coinciding rural labs.
- The scope and sequencing of Waves 6, 7, 8 and 9 are being reviewed and details about any changes or updates to those waves will be available in the coming weeks.
- The timing for the rollout of Connect Care within Kidney Care North and South is still being determined.
- Wave 1 launched in November, 2019 and included the University, Mazankowski and Stollery hosptials, outpatient clinics across Edmonton Zone, the East Edmonton Health Centre, Pharmacy and Diagnostic Imaging sites in the Edmonton Zone, Alberta Public Labs sites in Edmonton and the North Zone, DynaLIFE sites across Alberta and the lab at the Cross Cancer Institute.
The current plan reflects the best information available today. We may need to make future adjustments as we continue to learn from, and adapt to, each Connect Care launch. We’ll also continue to be responsive to the needs of patients, families, staff and physicians.
2019-12-17
Reminder: Tricky Transitions Tomorrow (optimization clinic)
Complex patient movements can affect how Connect Care orders are placed, when they are activated and how they are approved for action. The second Connect Care Optimization Clinic will seek input from participants about the types of "patient movement" challenges they may have experienced with orders. We will share a flow diagram highlighting key "tricky transitions" and the orders choices that can navigate them successfully.
We continue to experiment with webinar technologies that can serve prescribers joining virtual clinics from inside and outside AHS networks and using different personal computing configurations. Tomorrow, "Zoom" will be the platform in use. Please use the links provided below to try connecting well ahead of time. This will allow for any downloads or other adjustments needed to participate.
Note that there are two (duplicate) sessions. The morning session may better suit surgeon schedules.
Session #1 - December 18, 2019, 0700-0800
- Meeting Link: clinic-a.connect-care.ca
- Meeting ID: 843 908 198
- Audio: can use computer audio or telephone (647 558 0588 then meeting ID or one-click +16475580588,,843908198)
Session #2 - December 18, 2019, 1200-1300
- Meeting Link: clinic-b.connect-care.ca
- Meeting ID: 359 904 795
- Audio: can use computer audio or telephone (647 558 0588 then meeting ID or one-click +16475580588,,359904795
2019-12-15
Connect Care December 2019 Calendar
A summary of key Connect Care happenings in December 2019 has been posted to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) internal Connect Care website, linked below.
2019-12-13
Pharmacy Information Network Connect Care Interface Update
We previously posted about early efforts to interface Alberta's Pharmacy Information Network (PIN) with Connect Care medication reconciliation workflows, including an "outside information" function for PIN medication reconciliation.
This did not work as well as hoped. The function was removed so that PIN reconciliation reminders would not interfere with workflows. Of safety concern, the laborious task of importing medications from PIN did not benefit from clinical decision supports.
Connect Care users may not appreciate that it remains possible to review PIN dispensing information, even though one is no longer prompted to reconcile "outside" PIN medications. A full PIN list remains available in Netcare. This can be displayed in-context and allows a full history of (eligible) medication dispenses to be reviewed.
Some confusion may relate to orphan PIN medication reconciliation flags "left over" from the early Connect Care launch period. These should not be relied upon. No updates have occurred since early November. It is wise, and easy, to remove these flags:
This did not work as well as hoped. The function was removed so that PIN reconciliation reminders would not interfere with workflows. Of safety concern, the laborious task of importing medications from PIN did not benefit from clinical decision supports.
Connect Care users may not appreciate that it remains possible to review PIN dispensing information, even though one is no longer prompted to reconcile "outside" PIN medications. A full PIN list remains available in Netcare. This can be displayed in-context and allows a full history of (eligible) medication dispenses to be reviewed.
Some confusion may relate to orphan PIN medication reconciliation flags "left over" from the early Connect Care launch period. These should not be relied upon. No updates have occurred since early November. It is wise, and easy, to remove these flags:
2019-12-12
New Inpatient Consults: Spiritual Care, Indigenous Health
Inpatient referrals to spiritual care and indigenous health services are now supported in Connect Care. Search for "Inpatient Consult to Spiritual Care" or "Inpatient Consult to Indigenous Health" to complete a request, entering contextual information in the usual fashion.
Connect Care Optimization Clinic #2 - Tricky Transitions
Optimization clinics are delivered by peers, usually a clinician informatician or super user, with focus on challenging use cases. A short presentation is followed by questions, discussion and suggestions from participants. Any new tips are posted to the Physician Manual or Physician Updates.
A second Connect Care Optimization Clinic is offered a two times of day (duplicate clinics) to better fit physician schedules. All are welcome. Please try the meeting link ahead of time to ensure that your computer is ready before the session.
A second Connect Care Optimization Clinic is offered a two times of day (duplicate clinics) to better fit physician schedules. All are welcome. Please try the meeting link ahead of time to ensure that your computer is ready before the session.
- Topic: Tricky Transitions
- Facilitators: Rob Hayward, Alan Sobey
- Date: December 18, 2019
- Time #1: 0700-0800
- Meeting Link: clinic-a.connect-care.ca
- Meeting ID: 843 908 198
- Audio: can use computer audio or telephone
- Canada +1 647 558 0588 (then meeting ID)
- One click: +16475580588,,843908198
- Time #2: 1200-1300
- Meeting Link: clinic-b.connect-care.ca
- Meeting ID: 359 904 795
- Audio: can use computer audio or telephone
- Canada +1 647 558 0588 (then meeting ID)
- One click: +16475580588,,359904795
- Description:
- Complex patient movements can affect how Connect Care orders are placed, when they are activated and how they are approved. Our focus will be on the sorts of problems that may arise when patients transition to settings or phases along a care pathway.
- We’ll demonstrate and discuss how Connect Care physicians can take corrective action, with a focus on Orders clean-up.
2019-12-07
Connect Care December 6, 2019, Newsletter Posted
The December 6, 2019, Connect Care Newsletter is available via the link below; covering 1) Connect Care's first month, 2) eHealth, 3) Champions:
2019-12-06
2019-12-03
One Month of Connect Care
A Message from Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS President and CEO
Dear staff, physicians and volunteers,
We now have one
month officially behind us in our Wave 1 Connect Care journey.
Congratulations to all of our sites and teams across AHS who
have provided strong support for our Wave 1 colleagues as they
pave the way for Connect Care across the
province. For the past 30 days, teams have been
working around the clock to provide support and help
resolve issues. We are so proud of your collaborative
spirit.
As we work together to
become more comfortable and confident using Connect Care, we
know there will be challenges along the way. Learning
new systems and work flows can be difficult, and there have
been issues as we figure it out. It is good to remember the
long-term goals.
Connect Care will:
- House all AHS, partner and affiliate medical records to support care wherever Connect Care is in place.
- Provide common decision-making tools and resources for clinicians, to ensure all our physicians and staff have access to the same clinical standards and best healthcare practices.
- Eventually allow all patients across Alberta to have access to their health information through the patient portal, MyAHS Connect.
Ultimately, Connect
Care means the whole healthcare team, including patients, will have
the best possible information throughout their care journey.
Our healthcare providers and supporting teams
are at the heart of all we do. We’ve taken some time to talk to
several staff, physicians and patients involved in Wave 1 about what this
month-long experience has meant to them.
Thank you for such a successful launch. Thank
you for your patience and resilience. Because of you, we
have accomplished so much in these last 30 days. I also
want to thank and encourage those working on the combined Waves 2 and 3. There
is much to learn from the first implementation and I appreciate all
your efforts to get us ready for the next step.
Sincerely,
Dr. Verna Yiu
AHS President and CEO
2019-11-28
Ordering for faster Workflows
We previously posted about cleaning Order clutter than can happen with complex inpatient pathways.
Better to prevent the clutter in the first place! Taking a bit of time, early on, to build Order preference lists may be the most important way to improve your efficiency while maintaining well-ordered Orders.
If you are struggling with Orders, chances are you need to take control and tweak them to your liking. Key skills include personalizing multiple versions of the same order based on diagnosis, timeframe and laterality. Examples include:
Better to prevent the clutter in the first place! Taking a bit of time, early on, to build Order preference lists may be the most important way to improve your efficiency while maintaining well-ordered Orders.
If you are struggling with Orders, chances are you need to take control and tweak them to your liking. Key skills include personalizing multiple versions of the same order based on diagnosis, timeframe and laterality. Examples include:
- Multiple versions of a medication prescription based on the number days required, or different dosing schedules.
- Multiple orders specific to x-rays of the left ankle, and the right ankle, left knee and right knee.
- Multiple versions of interventions based on chief complaint (e.g. CT head to rule out CVA, CT head to rule our hemorrhage etc.)
2019-11-27
deOrderizing Inpatient Charts
A variety of circumstances can lead to inpatient Order messiness. Complex transfers – to or from emergency, critical care, operating room, dialysis, inpatient and reactivation services – can generate Order litter in the form of duplicate, orphaned (not associated with a phase of care) or inactive Orders not cleared by prescribers on either side of a context shift. This disorder can make it harder to recognize and manage important Orders. It can also bloat summative documents, such as transfer reports.
Periodic “deOrderizing” should be done to find and remove inappropriate, unnecessary or misleading strays. Prescribers may be asked to do this by other health care team members who struggle to manage patients’ Orders. Today's Connect Care Optimization Clinic focused on this topic, supported by new aids for users:
Periodic “deOrderizing” should be done to find and remove inappropriate, unnecessary or misleading strays. Prescribers may be asked to do this by other health care team members who struggle to manage patients’ Orders. Today's Connect Care Optimization Clinic focused on this topic, supported by new aids for users:
2019-11-26
Connect Care Optimization Clinic #1 - Orders Hygiene
The third phase of Connect Care training for physicians is called "Optimization", not to be confused with ongoing optimization of clinical content (documentation, decision and inquiry supports).
Among the many optimization options available to Connect Care physicians are a series of Optimization Clinics. These informal sessions are entirely voluntary and virtual, with no need to register, go somewhere, or work through MyLearningLink. There are no reading materials, eLearnings or other expectations.
Optimization clinics are delivered by peers, usually a clinician informatician or super user. But anyone can volunteer to facilitate a clinic.
Each clinic focuses on one or more challenging use or workflow(s). A short presentation of a proposed optimized practice is followed by questions, discussion and suggestions from participants. Any new key messages get posted to the Physician Manual or Physician Updates.
A first (pilot) optimization clinic occurs Wednesday November 27 at noon:
Among the many optimization options available to Connect Care physicians are a series of Optimization Clinics. These informal sessions are entirely voluntary and virtual, with no need to register, go somewhere, or work through MyLearningLink. There are no reading materials, eLearnings or other expectations.
Optimization clinics are delivered by peers, usually a clinician informatician or super user. But anyone can volunteer to facilitate a clinic.
Each clinic focuses on one or more challenging use or workflow(s). A short presentation of a proposed optimized practice is followed by questions, discussion and suggestions from participants. Any new key messages get posted to the Physician Manual or Physician Updates.
A first (pilot) optimization clinic occurs Wednesday November 27 at noon:
- Topic: Orders Hygiene
- Facilitator: Rob Hayward
- Time: November 27, 2019, 1200-1300
- Audio: 780-801-2629, conference code 7070706
- Video: clinic.connect-care.ca (please test and join between 1130-1200)
2019-11-25
New Global Search for Connect Care Update Blogs
The Connect Care Physician Updates blogs include multiple "channels". These are listed across the top in a button bar (computers) or pick-list (mobile devices) and include:
- Bytes - general interest updates
- Bridges - posts of interest to those not using Connect Care as their record of care
- Vlogs - short video blogs on general introductory topics
- Informatics - more detailed or technical postings of interest to physician informaticians
- Tips - brief explanations, demonstrations and practical pointers
- FAQ - frequently asked questions about Connect Care functions
- Support - common problems and solutions for Connect Care users
It has been possible to search for posts with title or text containing a term, or to search for posts tagged as belonging to a particular category (left column of all blog channels).
As the volume and value of postings has grown, our followers have requested a way to search multiple channels at once. We now have a rudimentary tool that does this.
Check out the new "Search" link in the button bar above or the "See Also" links to the right.
2019-11-24
Chat with Care
Connect Care Secure Chat offers an approved way for users to share quick messages about their work. All other messaging services (e.g., iMessage, WhatsApp) must be avoided when identifiable health information is at risk.
While Chat can facilitate quick communication and collaboration, it does not replace usual communication for urgent matters, or In Basket for communications that belong in the record of care.
Prescribers should use Chat with care until the clinical information system (CIS) has fully deployed within a clinical area and new communication norms are widely understood. Early on, staff may forget that many matters still require face-to-face, pager or telephone communication. Secure chat should not be used to convey urgent information or to ask for urgent intervention from a colleague without person-to-person communication.
Initially, Secure Chat will be most useful for consenting clinical groups that commit to use it and agree about expected chat availability.
While Chat can facilitate quick communication and collaboration, it does not replace usual communication for urgent matters, or In Basket for communications that belong in the record of care.
Prescribers should use Chat with care until the clinical information system (CIS) has fully deployed within a clinical area and new communication norms are widely understood. Early on, staff may forget that many matters still require face-to-face, pager or telephone communication. Secure chat should not be used to convey urgent information or to ask for urgent intervention from a colleague without person-to-person communication.
Initially, Secure Chat will be most useful for consenting clinical groups that commit to use it and agree about expected chat availability.
2019-11-23
Drop-in Centre and Optimization Clinics
Having completed a full three weeks working with the Connect Care clinical information system, physician supports evolve to a model of embedded expertise. Please continue to follow this progression as changes are documented in the Connect Care Physician Manual (see the Support section and subsections, including Super User Schedules).
Drop-in Centre Schedules also adapt to changing needs:
Starting this week, we begin a series of Informatics Clinics for users wishing to optimize their Connect Care experience for specific workflows. More information will be posted to this blogs, but mark calendars for the first clinic this coming Wednesday November 27 at noon.
Drop-in Centre Schedules also adapt to changing needs:
Starting this week, we begin a series of Informatics Clinics for users wishing to optimize their Connect Care experience for specific workflows. More information will be posted to this blogs, but mark calendars for the first clinic this coming Wednesday November 27 at noon.
2019-11-22
Transitioning to Sustainable Supports
As Connect Care users grow comfortable using the clinical information system, they become a valuable resource for their peers. Super Users will continue to be prominent in the workplace for a few weeks to come. However, they transition to embedded, not extraordinary, roles. Most divisions and departments have already set up clinical call schedules to ensure effective distribution of experienced and super users so that elbow-to-elbow support can continue.
If help is not close-at-hand, we encourage clinicians to make use of the Connect Care Solution Centre and Help Desk. These are available 24/7 with telephone, email and online chat channels.
The Solution Centre continues to have access to Super User, Trainer and other CMIO resources, who are on call to ensure continuity while we transition to sustainable embedded user supports.
If help is not close-at-hand, we encourage clinicians to make use of the Connect Care Solution Centre and Help Desk. These are available 24/7 with telephone, email and online chat channels.
The Solution Centre continues to have access to Super User, Trainer and other CMIO resources, who are on call to ensure continuity while we transition to sustainable embedded user supports.
- Manual: Support (see subsections)
Connect Care November 22, 2019 Newsletter Posted
The November 22, 2019, Connect Care Newsletter is available via the link below; covering 1) Connect Care successes, 2) Wave 1 launch, 3) Patient stories, and 4) Staff stories.
2019-11-21
In-System Dictation (Dragon Medical One) Optimization Sessions
Looking to be slicker, faster (and happier!) with in-system dictation using Dragon Medical One (DMO)?
Attend a DMO Optimization sessions to learn how to use and create custom commands, hotkey shortcuts and dictation-triggered SmartText. Whatever your needs, optimization sessions can answer questions for a more personalized dictation toolkit.
To Register:
Attend a DMO Optimization sessions to learn how to use and create custom commands, hotkey shortcuts and dictation-triggered SmartText. Whatever your needs, optimization sessions can answer questions for a more personalized dictation toolkit.
To Register:
- Visit My Learning Link (MLL) ;
- Search “Dragon Medical One (DMO) Optimization”;
- Select a session
- Location: Kaye Edmonton Clinic (KEC) 3F.110
- Duration: 1 Hour
- Dates: November 25, 26, 28; December 3, 4, 6
- Times: 0700-0800, 1200-1300, 1600-1700
2019-11-20
From Launch to Optimization
Connect Care supports Alberta Health Service's (AHS) growth as a learning healthcare organization. This is an exciting time! With Wave 1 launch, we've broken through informational barriers to credible internal evidence about what works best for those we serve.
Now that care processes and outcomes are more accessible for informational improvement, it is essential that we transition from CIS break-in to optimization. We need to further streamline workflows while smoothing informational supports. There is every opportunity to help, not hinder, exceptional care.
Our launch preoccupation has been detecting and resolving technical problems. Concerns that might relate to clinical content (decision, documentation and inquiry supports) have been reviewed by rapid-action clinical system design supports from Content and Standards, Clinical Decision Support, Clinical Documentation and Clinical Inquiry Committees and, on behalf of Connect Care Council (CCC) and its Area Councils and Specialty Workgroups, the CCC Coordinating Support Unit.
This week the CCC holds its first full post-launch meeting, marking our transition to optimization. Area Councils will evaluate and prioritize issue-tickets not already closed. In addition, enhancement requests and “bright ideas” will be reviewed.
Area Councils will again take the lead in refining clinical content and determining what should be built next within their specialty. They continue to be supported by Area Council Support Units that bring together Build Teams, cORE Leads and Clinical Informatics Leads to develop, build, validate and implement clinical content.
We look forward to leveraging a great launch through even greater optimization.
Now that care processes and outcomes are more accessible for informational improvement, it is essential that we transition from CIS break-in to optimization. We need to further streamline workflows while smoothing informational supports. There is every opportunity to help, not hinder, exceptional care.
Our launch preoccupation has been detecting and resolving technical problems. Concerns that might relate to clinical content (decision, documentation and inquiry supports) have been reviewed by rapid-action clinical system design supports from Content and Standards, Clinical Decision Support, Clinical Documentation and Clinical Inquiry Committees and, on behalf of Connect Care Council (CCC) and its Area Councils and Specialty Workgroups, the CCC Coordinating Support Unit.
This week the CCC holds its first full post-launch meeting, marking our transition to optimization. Area Councils will evaluate and prioritize issue-tickets not already closed. In addition, enhancement requests and “bright ideas” will be reviewed.
Area Councils will again take the lead in refining clinical content and determining what should be built next within their specialty. They continue to be supported by Area Council Support Units that bring together Build Teams, cORE Leads and Clinical Informatics Leads to develop, build, validate and implement clinical content.
We look forward to leveraging a great launch through even greater optimization.
2019-11-19
Ordering without Ordering
Some of our more complex clinical information system (CIS) challenges relate to Orders.
Duplicate and stray orders accumulated in the early days post-launch. Since then, workgroups have clarified how to prevent these through workflow adaptation and CIS adjustment. We are getting better moving tasks with the patient for actioning by the right providers in the right sequence.
At the same time, we may dredge up interprofessional irritants.
The common meaning of "Order" is to "give an authoritative direction or instruction to do something". This can trigger PTSD about who gets to tell who to do what and when, with presumption of differential priorities.
Indeed, it is unfortunate that Connect Care even uses the term "Order." In truth, CIS "Orders" are multi-facetted task-management tools that have more to do with collaborative coordination than directive instructing.
Connect Care order-management will falter without excellence in communication and consideration. Orders should not be "dropped" without ensuring that those who must pick them up are aware and ready. And it is essential that we talk with one another about what needs doing, even more than we did pre-launch.
Connect Care does not prohibit protocolized, verbal or telephone orders. But it does expect teams to adopt norms that promote order transparency, coordination and iterative improvement. Any proxy order-entry needs to be done in a way that leverages the available decision supports.
Duplicate and stray orders accumulated in the early days post-launch. Since then, workgroups have clarified how to prevent these through workflow adaptation and CIS adjustment. We are getting better moving tasks with the patient for actioning by the right providers in the right sequence.
At the same time, we may dredge up interprofessional irritants.
The common meaning of "Order" is to "give an authoritative direction or instruction to do something". This can trigger PTSD about who gets to tell who to do what and when, with presumption of differential priorities.
Indeed, it is unfortunate that Connect Care even uses the term "Order." In truth, CIS "Orders" are multi-facetted task-management tools that have more to do with collaborative coordination than directive instructing.
Connect Care order-management will falter without excellence in communication and consideration. Orders should not be "dropped" without ensuring that those who must pick them up are aware and ready. And it is essential that we talk with one another about what needs doing, even more than we did pre-launch.
Connect Care does not prohibit protocolized, verbal or telephone orders. But it does expect teams to adopt norms that promote order transparency, coordination and iterative improvement. Any proxy order-entry needs to be done in a way that leverages the available decision supports.
2019-11-18
Physician Resource Updates
With Connect Care Wave 1 now well underway, clinical information system (CIS) users start to enjoy experiential learning, growing comfort, and personalization-driven productivity.
Information needs change. There is growing readiness for coaching about better workflows. But the help needed for post-launch growth can be hard to sift from burgeoning content in Learning Home Dashboards, the Physician Manual, Physician Update Blogs, Tip Sheet collections and Slack community notes.
Some recent innovations can help:
Information needs change. There is growing readiness for coaching about better workflows. But the help needed for post-launch growth can be hard to sift from burgeoning content in Learning Home Dashboards, the Physician Manual, Physician Update Blogs, Tip Sheet collections and Slack community notes.
Some recent innovations can help:
- Connect Care Physician Updates - we suggest shifting attention (and email subscriptions) to the Tip, FAQ and Support channels. Three topic threads are timely:
- Tippy (tip-of-the-day): tips.connect-care.ca/search/label/Tippy
- eSafety Tips: tips.connect-care.ca/search/label/eSafety
- All-Physician-Bulletins: blogs.connect-care.ca/search/label/bulletin
- Connect Care Physician Manual - a new section (just under the title topic) lists recent additions and changes while a Tips section is enhanced to feature Tip Sheets of general interest.
- CMIO Learning Home Dashboards - are undergoing renewal to focus on guides and detail tip sheets that explicate more complicated workflows.
2019-11-17
Connect Care Research Supports Productive
At the two-week mark, Connect Care already supports the research information management needs of almost 3,000 patients registered in clinical studies. This reflects a very successful cutover, getting existing protocols registered and all associated treatment plans entered and activated.
Research super users support investigators and study support staff.
We have added a section to the Connect Care Physician Manual to summarize launch-supports for investigators and upcoming training opportunities.
Research super users support investigators and study support staff.
We have added a section to the Connect Care Physician Manual to summarize launch-supports for investigators and upcoming training opportunities.
All Physician Bulletin - Prevent Chart Locking
All-physician-bulletins highlight stumbling blocks, and solutions, that all physicians need to be aware of when starting to use the Connect Care clinical information system.
Prevent Chart Locking...
While the Epic software underlying Connect Care allows multiple health care providers to work with the same patient chart, there are limits. Were two providers to be editing exactly the same progress note at the same time, for example, conflicts could occur. Errors are prevented by limiting the users working on exactly the same task at the same time.
Unfortunately, protecting the integrity of the chart also demands good manners of users: do not lock out other users inappropriately or for longer than absolutely necessary. As a general protective, always close charts when finished with them and NEVER walk away from a terminal with a chart left open.
Chart activities that can lock, and what to do when blocked:
Prevent Chart Locking...
While the Epic software underlying Connect Care allows multiple health care providers to work with the same patient chart, there are limits. Were two providers to be editing exactly the same progress note at the same time, for example, conflicts could occur. Errors are prevented by limiting the users working on exactly the same task at the same time.
Unfortunately, protecting the integrity of the chart also demands good manners of users: do not lock out other users inappropriately or for longer than absolutely necessary. As a general protective, always close charts when finished with them and NEVER walk away from a terminal with a chart left open.
Chart activities that can lock, and what to do when blocked:
2019-11-16
Practical Paranoia - Don't Click on Links in Emails!
We've frequently emphasized the place of practical paranoia as an essential privacy protection and clinical skill.
The Connect Care initiative benefits from robust technical privacy protections. As important are the behavioural privacy protections promoted through InfoCare, which all Connect Care users must participate in.
Neurons, not networks, remain our biggest risk. AHS continues to be targeted by phishing attacks, as previously explained. The size of our target may be bigger because of the publicity Connect Care has attracted.
Be especially vigilant about email messages. Seemingly familiar communications can contain links that install hacker software. Safest to practice universal precautions and never click on hyperlinks in emails (even those from internal AHS email addresses).
The CMIO portfolio is changing its approach to email communications. We will spell out internet links so the user can copy and paste to a browser, rather than clicking the link. By knowing the exact location of the link, take care to only use links where the "domain" or root is recognized and trusted ("ahs.ca", "albertahealthservices.ca", "connect-care.ca", "ahs-cis.ca", "ahs-cmio.ca", "bytesblog.ca").
The Connect Care initiative benefits from robust technical privacy protections. As important are the behavioural privacy protections promoted through InfoCare, which all Connect Care users must participate in.
Neurons, not networks, remain our biggest risk. AHS continues to be targeted by phishing attacks, as previously explained. The size of our target may be bigger because of the publicity Connect Care has attracted.
Be especially vigilant about email messages. Seemingly familiar communications can contain links that install hacker software. Safest to practice universal precautions and never click on hyperlinks in emails (even those from internal AHS email addresses).
The CMIO portfolio is changing its approach to email communications. We will spell out internet links so the user can copy and paste to a browser, rather than clicking the link. By knowing the exact location of the link, take care to only use links where the "domain" or root is recognized and trusted ("ahs.ca", "albertahealthservices.ca", "connect-care.ca", "ahs-cis.ca", "ahs-cmio.ca", "bytesblog.ca").
2019-11-15
Still have your Back!
As Connect Care approaches the end of its second week post-launch, two realizations compete.
First, we cannot sustain the intensity, effort and energy that has carried us through the immediate peri-launch period. Second, emergent multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional problems require a lot of attention! To sort out complex workflows, we need sustained focus and support.
There is no arbitrary support withdrawal just because a second-week milestone has been reached. However, there is need to rejig support. As drop-in centre attendance drops, for example, we can shift trainers and physician informaticians to things like patient movement workgroups.
The daily physician huddles continue, but with more attention to Connect Care as how we do our work, rather than Connect Care as a big piece of work.
First, we cannot sustain the intensity, effort and energy that has carried us through the immediate peri-launch period. Second, emergent multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional problems require a lot of attention! To sort out complex workflows, we need sustained focus and support.
There is no arbitrary support withdrawal just because a second-week milestone has been reached. However, there is need to rejig support. As drop-in centre attendance drops, for example, we can shift trainers and physician informaticians to things like patient movement workgroups.
The daily physician huddles continue, but with more attention to Connect Care as how we do our work, rather than Connect Care as a big piece of work.
2019-11-14
Second Week Yum Yums
Connect Care has progressed nicely through its second week. There are many promising indicators. Mobile application use and in-system dictation continue to grow. Many patients have been both admitted and discharged with Connect Care as the record of care. Outpatient clinics continue to increase productivity and the hospital is rapidly returning to typical case and complexity burdens. The emergency and critical care device issues are largely resolved.
We continue to see the number of closed support 'tickets' exceed the number opened, demonstrating catch-up from the post-launch rush.
We experience early transition from technical to change-management challenges. Accordingly, problem-solving takes longer and involves a wider range of stakeholders. Major areas of progress in week two address complex challenges:
We continue to see the number of closed support 'tickets' exceed the number opened, demonstrating catch-up from the post-launch rush.
We experience early transition from technical to change-management challenges. Accordingly, problem-solving takes longer and involves a wider range of stakeholders. Major areas of progress in week two address complex challenges:
- Patient transitions - a workgroup directly observes and analyzes phase of care, transfer order and other difficulties associated with complex patient transitions (direct admit from clinic, direct consult to specialty in ER, direct to OR, OR to and from ICU, etc.). The root causes of things like duplicate orders are being exposed and a combination of configuration, education and change management interventions are taking hold.
- Consent navigator - difficulties with changing or evolving consents are addressed by a new capability for addenda to signed consents.
- Order entry norms - increasing prescriber exposure to clinical decision supports requires full CPOC (computerized prescriber order entry) and clearly understood exceptions when protocolized, verbal or telephone orders may be appropriate.
2019-11-12
Connect Care Mobility Gaining Traction
Connect Care Mobility promotes use of Haiku for smartphones, Canto for iPads, Limerick for Apple Watches and Rover for smartphones. Many clinicians installed mobile apps during personalization workshops and many more will take the opportunity with personalization and optimization sessions to come.
Uptake has been impressive so early post-launch:
- There are 2,121 physician devices successfully installed and actively used in the first week post launch.
- 1792 are smartphones (1431 iPhones and 361 Android) and 329 are iPads.
- About 1/5 of all Connect Care connections happen via mobile apps.
This represents enough of an installed base for us to shift more tips and just-in-time training to optimum use of mobile platforms.
2019-11-11
New series in Connect Care Physician Update blogs
It is great to hear Super Users report that questions have shifted from the basics to strategies for improving workflow efficiency.
To help, we've started a couple of new sub-channels within the Connect Care Physician Updates blogs:
To help, we've started a couple of new sub-channels within the Connect Care Physician Updates blogs:
- Tippy (ahs-cis.ca/tippy) - daily fast tips that can quickly adopted with immediate workflow benefits
- eSafety (ahs-cis.ca/eSafety) - alerts about clinical information system interactions requiring particular attention as we transition from paper to digital records.
Please send suggested content for either series to cmio@ahs.ca.
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