2023-10-27

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:

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2023-10-26

Problem Power - Tips and Training about Problem Lists

Connect Care Problem List management can seem daunting at first. With a little familiarity, however, problem skills can improve the Connect Care user experience, while reducing information burdens and increasing patient safety.

Consistent problem list management is a Connect Care minimum use norm. It is also a prerequisite for problem-oriented charting, which further promotes efficient and effective clinical documentation.  

In tandem with Launch 7, the "Problem Power" tips series (problemlists.connect-care.ca) will re-post daily. Short tips illustrate little things that can make problem list management easier and more impactful.

A full list of all Problem Power tips, in order, is maintained in the Clinician Manual:

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Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers

We're happy to announce that we have started a monthly newsletter for prescribers, called "Between the Charts". This newsletter will summarize 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 first issue is now out, available at the below link. Each new issue will be announced here, and an archive will be made available 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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2023-10-24

Ambulatory Tips, Tricks, and Traps - Launch 7 Prescriber Support Session

The ambulatory component of basic Connect Care training for prescribers who also provide acute care is necessarily streamlined. However, some prescribers with a significant ambulatory workload may feel like they have not had sufficient exposure to the ambulatory tools and workflows in Connect Care via basic training to be comfortable navigating the Connect Care clinical information system during a busy clinic come launch. To help these users, the CMIO will be hosting an additional ambulatory support session. 

This 1-hour Zoom session is an opportunity to see ambulatory workflows in action, to hear advice from providers who have been using Connect Care in busy outpatient practices, and to ask questions – all in anticipation of your first day in clinic on Connect Care. To join, click the Zoom link below; if you are unable to attend, a recording will be posted here.

Note that there are also still a few upcoming support sessions for Launch 7 prescribers regarding therapy plans (October 27 and 31). These sessions demonstrate the process of ordering therapy plans, and will prepare you for entering orders post-launch and when asked to review converted legacy orders prior to launch. For more information on the therapy plan support sessions, see this post.

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2023-10-23

Important Updates to Referral Workflows

As of October 27, 2023, updates will be made to outpatient referral orders in Connect Care, including a requirement in the order composer for referral reason details to be entered in the "Comments" section. Details of the enhancements are described in a Support posting.

The change could affect prescribers who have already saved personalizations of referral orders. Any saved personal defaults for the Comments field in specific referral orders will need to be redone. Users with Order Sets and Smart Sets with customized documentation in the Comments section of the referral orders can save their current customizations and re-enter these after the October 27 change. Customized referral orders in preference lists are not affected. 

Why are we making these changes? 

Referral triage and management are key to ensuring timely access to services. We have received important feedback from prescribers that both order and receive referrals. Many referrals are being entered that do not have enough clinical information to be useful. For those receiving referrals, the information that they require to make triage, scheduling, and treatment decisions is not always available to them in a useful format. 

A group of prescribers with representation from surgical and medical specialties, as well as primary care, were consulted about improving referral management. Additional enhancements are planned in the future.

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2023-10-20

All User Bulletin - Internet Security Certificate Update

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 October 19 and 20, 2023, AHS IT Identity and 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 will not be impacted, but personal devices not enrolled in BYOD may be impacted and require user action.

  • 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:
    • Android devices: Will not be impacted, with the possible exception of Google Pixel devices. Google Pixel users experiencing issues following the PKI update should call the IT Service Desk (see memo for more details).
    • Windows and Apple devices: May be impacted with 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 to restore AHS Restrict wireless connectivity following the PKI update (see memo for more details).

For instructions for affected Google Pixel, Window, and Apple device users on what actions may be required on or after the PKI update is completed, see the memo.

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2023-10-13

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:

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2023-10-03

Connect Care Staff and Prescriber Engagement Session - Follow-Up

As previously posted, AHS recently hosted a session for AHS staff and prescribers to discuss the findings of the Connect Care satisfaction survey conducted earlier this year, and to hear thoughts on the actions that are being taken to address the feedback received through the survey.

For those who were not able to attend, or for those wanting to revisit the discussion, both a recording of the session and the slide presentation are available. Below is also an outline of the key themes captured at the session:

  • Decision Making
    • Empower Clinical System Design (CSD) groups and councils to be more to implement workflow redesigns
    • Integrate multidisciplinary care team access and alignment with scope of practice, community provider access
  • Optimization
    • Improve ticket response times
    • Enable specific workflows to improve efficiency
    • Improve consistency and ease of referrals inside and outside of AHS
    • Create a more user-friendly Medical Administration Record (MAR)
  • Education
    • Provide more training and access for administrative staff to support providers
    • Provide greater support and education for optimization in specific care areas
    • Improve broader understanding as to how different care areas intersect in Connect Care
    • Provide additional support needed for ongoing staff training and education through clinical nurse educators where there is capacity to do so
  • Support & Communication
    • Include administrative staff in surveys to get an understanding of their experience using Connect Care
    • Provide more ongoing support at the elbow or through regular scheduled interactions
    • Provide more downtime support
    • Expand the use of reminder emails, texts or phone calls

AHS will continue to have open dialogue with AHS staff and prescribers on the findings of the Connect Care satisfaction survey and next steps, including through future sessions. We will post information on these sessions here, once they are confirmed.

If you have feedback regarding the themes listed above, or any other questions or comments about your experience with Connect Care, please email ConnectCare@ahs.ca.

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