2025-06-05

Connect Care Transparent Lockdown - June 9, 2025 10:00-00:40 June 12, 2025

Connect Care anticipates a scheduled brief pause (up to 5-minutes) in the early hours of June 12, 2025, for application updates (post with details important for prescribers to come). Connect Care uses a "transparent lockdown" process during updates to help prepare the system and reduce the upgrade workload, resulting in a shortened update window. The transparent lockdown period for the upcoming update is from Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10:00 to Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 00:40.  

The lockdown does not affect system performance, existing workflows, or the activities of most users (thus "transparent"). Prescribers will have access to their personalized orders, tools and templates during the lockdown; however, there will be no ability to create new personalizations during the lockdown period. For more details:
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2025-05-30

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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2025-05-29

BBHR: Improving Prescriber Continuity of Care Communications

Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication at transitions of care.

Workflows for Prescriber Continuity of Care Communications 

Prior postings describe tools that can help clinicians request or confirm primary care services for patients. A related workflow helps clinicians seek or confirm continuity of care for patients leaving hospital or transferring between clinics or providers. 

A Continuity of Care letter can facilitate properly documented transfers of care between prescribers, when a full referral workflow is not appropriate or needed. Optional chart content (e.g., patient care coordination note, consult note) can be selected to support the communication.

For more information:

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      2025-05-28

      New Lab Ordering Resources

      Two new resources for lab ordering are now available on the Learning Home Dashboard (under "Specialty Guides – Lab Ordering"), as well as the Connect Care Manual.

      • Managing Outpatient Labs and Orders: This new guide outlines the steps prescribers can follow to review all uncollected labs and make modifications to them as needed (including discontinuing orders and changing dates of collection and expiry). It also includes tips on duplicate order warnings and making orders clear so that what the prescriber wants is collected, when they want. 

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      Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 18 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:

      • June Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes, including new Dragon Medical One class
      • Calgary in-person drop-ins for Connect Quality demos (June 2-3)
      • Workspace ONE Catalog app retired, replaced with Hub
      • Panniculectomy case ordering requirements
      • Alberta Blue Cross Drug Special Authorization forms now digitized
      • Multi-factor authentication for Microsoft 365 apps on personal workstations
      • IFT navigator and Continuity of Care workflow enhancements coming soon
      • Auto expiry of additional In Basket message types coming soon
      • Study on Connect Care alerts and rules wins award
      • The CMIO's My.Health.Alberta.ca content team wins major North American award for excellence in plain language communication
      • How to find your Site Medical Informatics Lead (Site MIL)
      • 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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      Multi Factor Authentication for Microsoft 365 Apps Accessed from Personal Workstations

      As of Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required when users access Microsoft 365 (M365) applications - i.e., the web versions of Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive - from personal workstations such as laptops. This change may prompt MFA when accessing CMIO and other AHS resource links, as most of our materials are hosted on SharePoint; however, links clicked from within Connect Care will not prompt MFA.

      What is changing and why?

      AHS IT is restoring Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for Microsoft 365 (M365) applications accessed from personal workstations such as laptops. MFA was previously required for M365 apps, but was temporarily removed in December 2024 while AHS' SharePoint was migrated to the cloud. The migration process is now largely complete, and so M365 MFA is being reactivated to align with AHS' security policies. 

      This change does not impact shared workstations, or any other applications including Connect Care.

      What action do you need to take?

      The M365 MFA will be triggered only on personal workstations when accessing the web versions of Microsoft software; this includes opening a Microsoft web app (e.g., Outlook) as well as opening a document created by/saved on Microsoft software (e.g., a Word file, or a document saved on SharePoint) on your browser. Users will be prompted for personal login as usual, and then prompted for MFA confirmation (such as a code texted to a mobile phone). Once the MFA step is complete, the user will not need to re-authenticate for at least 6 hours. 

      • Tip: When accessing SharePoint, please select "Keep me signed in" when prompted, to allow for even longer timeout.
      Problems?

      If you have any issues with M365 MFA, please contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300).

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      2025-05-27

      Connect Quality - Third CPSA PPIP Project Now Available, Calgary In-Person Drop-Ins

      It's been a year since we first announced the Connect Quality initiative, and nearly 250 Connect Care prescribers have already signed up for this amazing free program. Have you checked it out yet?

      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.

      Three Connect Quality projects are currently available, one for each of 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 for the CPSA's Standards of Practice quality improvement activity; and, 
      • (new!) 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?!

      For those in the Calgary area, members of the CMIO Prescriber Experience and Medical Informatics team will be visiting select sites June 2 and 3 to demo how Connect Quality and the Signal tool in Connect Care can be used to meet CPSA PIPP requirements. If you're at one of these sites or are nearby and are available, consider dropping by!

      • June 2, 08:30–11:00 - Rockyview General Hospital (Physician Lounge)
      • June 3, 08:30–11:00 - South Health Campus (Physician Lounge)    
      • June 3, 13:00–15:00 - Arthur Child Cancer Centre (10th floor, room YC101221)
      For more information, reach out to your Site Medical Informatics Lead (Site MIL), email CMIO.Optimization@ahs.ca, or see:

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      MyHealth.Alberta.ca Wins North American Plain Language Award

      With their specialized health literacy expertise and intentional plain language reviews, the CMIO’s MyHealth.Alberta.ca content team works every day to make sure that Albertans can find, understand, and use the health information they need. 

      This work, along with contributions from partners across Alberta Health Services, was recently recognized with a major North American award for excellence in plain language communication. The immunization health topic website on MyHealth.Alberta.ca received both a ClearMark Award as the winner of the websites category and the top honour across all categories: the Grand ClearMark Award. One judge commented, “It is great to see an organization truly care about asking real users what they need and then delivering it.”

      The immunization health topic website represents a collaboration of dedicated team members and stakeholders, each bringing unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Partners on the MyHealth.Alberta.ca content team, Innovation and Digital Solutions, Communicable Disease Control, Communications, Information Technology, and Provincial Population and Public Health came together to create this valuable — and now North American award-winning — resource for Albertans.

      The ClearMark Awards are hosted by the Center for Plain Language. They recognize outstanding plain language communication in English, French, and Spanish across North America. 

      This award is wonderful recognition of the plain language and health literacy work happening within the CMIO and motivates us to keep moving forward — using design, health literacy, and plain language to make a real difference in the lives of Albertans. If you have a health literacy question or need, the MyHealth.Alberta.ca team has health literacy and plain language experts who can help. Connect with the team at feedback@myhealth.alberta.ca. 

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      2025-05-16

      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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      2025-05-08

      BBHR: Easing Submission of Alberta Blue Cross Drug Special Authorization Forms

      Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

      As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication supporting coordination of care.

      Alberta Blue Cross Drug Special Authorization Forms Digitized

      Alberta Blue Cross (ABC) drug special authorization form(s) must be completed, submitted and approved in order for a patient to be eligible for health insurance coverage of a number of outpatient medications that may be supported by programs administered by ABC. For example, a number of medications are covered for Alberta seniors (aged 65+ years) if specific clinical criteria are met.

      Historically, clinicians have had to obtain printed forms, transcribe information from the medical record, and then mail or fax handwritten responses to ABC. These requests are often rejected for lack of information... or legible information.

      Alberta Health Services is collaborating with Alberta Blue Cross to digitize all ABC special authorization forms (150+). The first 40 forms, representing the most common drug authorization requests, are now supported by semi-automated workflows in Connect Care. Available demographic and clinical information is automatically pulled from the chart, and clinicians are provided with key support information for assessments that they must enter directly into the form.

      As we continue to build up the ABC form repository within Connect Care, we invite prescribers (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, prescribing pharmacists) to start using the new ABC authorization workflow. For more information:

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          2025-05-02

          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. 

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          Phased Replacement of IMPAX Viewer - South Zone Next

          As previously posted, Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) is replacing the IMPAX system as the new Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS). The next phase of implementation will be in South Zone, on Tuesday, May 27, 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. Physicians and staff who require PEI access should have received an email to their AHS inbox from Identity Access Management (IAM) in March with training details.
            • If your role requires emergent access to images and you have not received a training invitation, 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. 
            • Training for OrthoView is available upon request. If you require OrthoView training, please contact ImagingAppsSupport@ahs.ca.

          Calgary Zone will implement PEI in September (a reminder will be posted here close to implementation date); for more information, see the posters. 

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          2025-04-30

          Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 17 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:

          • May Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
          • Fixed Netcare printing issue
          • New inpatient option to CC multiple test results
          • New "Request for External Sendout Lab Test" consult order
          • Improved PCP attachment links in transition planning tools
          • Exceptional Care Plan tool optimizations
          • Change to availability of endoscopy/bronchoscopy procedure orders
          • Prehabilitation Program referral order coming soon
          • New Connect Quality project to fulfill CPSA PPIP personal development activity requirement
          • Inpatient Consult orders and the Provider Care Team field
          • 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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          2025-04-25

          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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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          2025-04-18

          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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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          2025-04-14

          BBHR: Improving Primary Care Provider Attachment Management

          Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

          As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication at transitions of care.

          Improved PCP Attachment Links in Transition Planning Tools

          Ideally, patients have access to health care supports in their home community or facility. This is usually reflected through an attachment to a primary care provider (PCP; e.g., family physician, nurse practitioner) or primary care service (e.g., primary care network).

          Connect Care displays PCP attachment information in multiple locations and workflows. Where PCP information is displayed within transition/discharge planning reports (sidebar, admission/discharge navigators, Rapid Rounds, etc.), new functions are available when an existing PCP link is selected:

          • Existing attachments can be confirmed and potential attachments requested with linked communications workflows. 
          • Tips for finding a primary care provider can be printed and/or sent for patient use.

          For more information:

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              2025-04-11

              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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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              2025-04-10

              BBHR: Exceptional Care Plan Optimizations

              Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

              As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication at transitions of care.

              Exceptional Care Plan Tool Optimizations

              Some patients suffer from chronic or recurring conditions that may present in settings where staff are unfamiliar with specific treatment requirements. Examples include rare bleeding disorders, complement deficiencies, and complex metabolic disorders, as well as multi-emergency department users requiring a consistent approach to management that may differ from typical practice.

              Clinicians managing such patients may have devised individualized treatment plans that work best for a particular patient with a particular health condition. These "Exceptional Care Plans" (ECP) are documented in Connect Care using a workflow that ensures that the existence of the plan is highlighted for others.

              ECP workflows have been optimized to ensure that alerts to the presence of ECP(s) are available in ED Trackboards, Patient Lists, Outpatient Schedules and within any patient Chart via a Storyboard alert. A new Chart Review Notes tab ("ECP Notes") means that such plans are easily recognized, without having to scroll through many other note types. Workflow descriptions, tips and demonstrations are updated:

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              2025-04-04

              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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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              2025-04-03

              Update on Results Release in MyAHS Connect - Removal of Delay from Remaining Test Results

              Starting April 3, 2025, all test results and their results-related documents will become immediately available, without a 5-day hold, in MyAHS Connect (MAC), the online patient tool for Connect Care. 

              • The remaining test results that will be available without a 5-day hold include: 
                • All ophthalmology tests
                • Endoscopy reports 
                • Pulmonary/respiratory tests and activities
                • Sleep clinic studies 
                • Remaining cardiology reports 
              • The removal of the 5-day hold on test results in MAC does not impact what is viewable in My Personal Records, Alberta Health’s online health information tool.
              • Currently, patients who have access to MAC can see these test results 5 days after their ordering provider receives them. After April 3, the results and related documents will be available to patients at the same time as the ordering provider, in keeping with other results that are available in MAC. 
              As with previous releases to make results immediately available, providers may wish to consider giving patients more information about the implications of different results at the time of ordering a test.

              Physicians and other providers will continue to have access to these results through their usual channels, including Alberta Netcare.

              For additional support:

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              2025-04-02

              Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 16 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:

              • Upcoming Connect Care–wide scheduled downtime on April 10
              • April Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
              • Connect Care clinic-administered medications now in Netcare
              • New inpatient option to CC multiple test results
              • Removal of delay of results release in MyAHS Connect
              • Automatic cancellation of incomplete DI orders upon discharge
              • How to use an outpatient note authored by a clinical clerk
              • MyAHS Connect's "Day at a Glance" feature for current hospital visit
              • Personalization recommendations via the User Settings Dashboard
              • Order tool updates that may impact prescriber personalization 
              • New Connect Care Manual section with site/zone contacts
              • 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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              2025-03-28

              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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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              2025-03-25

              Phased Replacement of IMPAX Viewer - Edmonton Zone Next (New Date)

              As previously posted, Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) is replacing the IMPAX system as the new Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS). The next phase of implementation will be in Edmonton Zone; following an initial delay, implementation has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 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. Physicians and staff who require PEI access should have received an email to their AHS inbox from Identity Access Management (IAM) in January with training details.
                • If your role requires emergent access to images and you have not received a training invitation, 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. 
                • Training for OrthoView is available upon request. If you require OrthoView training, please contact ImagingAppsSupport@ahs.ca.

              The remaining zones will implement PEI in May and September; for more information, see the posters. Reminders for the remaining zones will be posted here closer to their respective implementation dates.

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              2025-03-21

              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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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              2025-03-18

              Netcare Update - Connect Care Clinic-Administered Medication Information

              Information about medications ordered for administration to patients in AHS and affiliated outpatient clinics has been a historical gap to community providers, as it is not accessible via Alberta Netcare. As of March 20, 2025, a new "Connect Care Outpatient Med Orders" display will be available in Netcare. 

              Key points about the medication information that will be available in this display:

              • Data will be updated in real time.
              • Data is not available via PIN (Pharmaceutical Information Network) but will be in a separate tab in the medication section of Netcare.
              • The medications that will be listed are based on medication orders originating from Connect Care outpatient clinics. This means they are prescribed, but not necessarily dispensed or administered. This differs from information in PIN, which is based on dispensed medications. 
              • Some workflows in Home Care generate orders that may also be included in the new display. These are used for administration documentation for Home Care patients and are transcribed from a prescriber order. Details for those medications are already available in PIN.

              For more information, see the 1-pager.
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              2025-03-14

              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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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              2025-03-13

              BBHR: New "Medical Readiness" Button Adds to Discharge Planning Tool Kit

              Building a Better Health Record (BBHR)

              As part of our documentation quality improvement initiative, we promote practical ways for clinicians to provide clear and actionable communication at transitions of care.

              New "Medical Readiness" Button in Transition Planning Tools

              Connect Care provides a set of integrated supports that can help clinicians anticipate and plan for a patient's discharge from hospital. Designed to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration, the Transition Planning Package improves communications within and across encounters.

              Recent enhancements (March 2025) provide a new way to indicate medical readiness for discharge for straightforward admissions.

              A patient is "medically ready" for discharge when the primary provider discipline (referred to as "medical" for simplicity) for an inpatient encounter has completed clinical tasks and the patient is dischargeable. Other needs (e.g., further mobility promotion, destination facility readiness, community home care readiness) may delay discharge after a patient is medically ready. Connect Care provides discharge planning tools that can facilitate determinations about when a patient is medically ready for discharge. 

              Simple Medical Readiness

              • The EDD editing tool is enhanced (March 2025) to include a binary button ("Ready Now", "Not Yet Ready") that can be used to indicate whether a patient is medically ready for discharge. The date of determination is automatically recorded. 
              • Demo: Medical Readiness for Discharge

              Complex Medical Readiness

              • A multidisciplinary discharge readiness planning tool can be accessed from within the Rapid Rounds List (double-click on the Readiness column "traffic light" symbol), Rapid Rounds Report (click on the "discharge readiness" section text) or sidebar transition planning tools (again, click on the "discharge readiness" section text).
              • A pop-up tool facilitates simultaneous management of multidisciplinary indicators of discharge readiness, expected discharge date (EDD), discharge destination and the level of care. It also provides a space where teams can record discharge planning notes, which can be iteratively updated in a wiki-like fashion.
              • Tip: Discharge Readiness Integrated Planner
              • Demo: Discharge Readiness Integrated Planner

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                2025-03-07

                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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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                2025-03-04

                Connect Care Satisfaction Follow-Up Survey

                You are invited to share your experiences with Connect Care! 

                Connect Care is once again working with the Arch Collaborative to assess best practices in healthcare information technology and the use of electronic health records (EHR). The collaborative uses standardized surveys and benchmarking to collect data which will improve the experience of clinicians using EHRs. The overarching goal of the initiative is to continually improve the satisfaction frontline staff and physicians have in using Connect Care and to benchmark against other organizations. The Connect Care team will use the feedback from the survey to make improvements within the system. 

                It is important that we know how the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) works for you, so we can continue to adapt and improve the system. Your information will not be shared without your permission. Please complete the questions so we can work to improve the function of Connect Care. This survey is specifically for clinical staff who provide direct patient care. 

                Providing feedback about your experiences in Connect Care will give AHS the information needed to make improvements. 

                The survey and an FAQ can be accessed via the below links. This survey will be available from March 3 to March 31, 2025, and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to ConnectCareSatisfactionSurvey@ahs.ca.

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                2025-02-28

                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. Note: A camera icon in a post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

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