Phased Replacement of IMPAX Viewer - Starts November in North Zone

Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) is replacing the IMPAX system as the new Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS). Implementation of PEI will be phased, starting with North Zone on November 12, 2024. The remaining zones will implement PEI between January and May 2025 (see this poster for a timeline). Note that, for North Zone's implementation, OrthoView will also be replacing MediCAD as the orthopedic templating software.

• PEI Implementation
• PEI is replacing the IMPAX system. PEI integrates into Connect Care and will help streamline workflows by providing convenient access to imaging data and reports.
• After PEI implementation, many medical staff will view diagnostic images and reports via the XERO Viewer in Connect Care.
• Tip: Launching Xero Viewer (note this workflow is the same as currently used to launch IMPAX)
• Training for PEI is through MyLearningLink. Medical staff who require PEI access will be given training information before implementation in their zone. 
• In scope roles for access include radiologists, emergency prescribers, and orthopedic surgeons. For other prescribers who believe they may need access to PEI, please contact ProvincialEnterpriseImaging@ahs.ca. 

• OrthoView Implementation (North Zone)
• OrthoView will replace MediCAD. OrthoView is an advanced orthopedic planning tool integrated within PEI.
• Training for OrthoView is available on request. For any prescribers who require training, please contact DIBusinessSupport@ahs.ca.  

For more information, see the posters. Reminders for the remaining zones will be posted here closer to their respective implementation dates.

• Poster: Provincial Enterprise Imaging Workflow Reminder
• Poster: New Orthopedic Template Software
• Questions: ProvincialEnterpriseImaging@ahs.ca

CMIO Prescriber Virtual Drop-In Centre - Updated Hours

As of Saturday, November 2, the Virtual Drop-in Centre (virtualhelp.connect-care.ca) will be open 7 days a week for the next few weeks. Below are the hours for the next two weeks (note this includes the November 11 stat):  

• November 2–17, 2024 
• Monday–Friday: 07:00–20:00
• Saturday–Sunday: 08:00–20:00

More information on the Virtual Drop-in Centre (including how to access and a full schedule of hours during the launch support period) can be found at launchhelp.connect-care.ca. Please also see this reminder of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, November 3.

• Poster: Launch 9 Virtual Drop-In Support

Launch 9: We are GO!

As of 05:00 today, Connect Care welcomes 155 sites from across the province into the family; with this launch, Health Link and Correctional Health facilities are now on Connect Care, as well as additional Population and Public Health programs, and Continuing Care sites including Home Care, CapitalCare facilities and Covenant Health sites! The first few days will be intense, but with lots of help at hand we are confident that progress will be fast. 

Prescribers, please make use of the Virtual Drop-in Centre and other launch supports (launchhelp.connect-care.ca). Watch this channel for any updates, as well as the Support channel for information on "hot topic" common issues that have been flagged for Launch 9 prescribers. A Launch 9 Updates section in the Connect Care Manual also flags the largest system updates and workflow changes to be aware of (for prescribers in all launches).

All User Bulletin - Daylight Savings Time and Scheduled Outages (November 3, 2024)

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

Daylight Savings Time - Fall Back

On Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, clocks turn back one hour at 02:00 to become 01:00, when Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends. 

While the Connect Care clinical information system as a whole will not be taking an outage, due to the unique challenges falling back poses with repeated time intervals, a safe approach to the end of DST is to schedule a downtime for specific applications.

The following applications will have an outage, each with its own time and length:

• Transfusion (WellSky Transfusion Medicine System): Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 01:59 MDT to 02:07 MST (approximately 70-minute duration). During this outage, please limit non-essential transfusion activity in Epic and follow the Blood Product Administration Downtime Procedures as needed. 

• Bridges Device Interfaces: Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 01:50 MDT to 02:10 MST (80-minute duration). Data that flows from medical devices into the patient chart in Connect Care will be impacted (impacted medical devices include: patient monitors, hemodialysis machines, dialysis machines, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy [CRRT] devices, fetal monitors, ventilators/anesthesia machines, perfusion machines). For full details on DST procedures for affected areas, please refer to the Fall DST Guide.

A 1-pager summarizes other key considerations around DST for prescribers, and a guide provides further details. Additional instruction on downtime procedures is also available in the Connect Care Manual and linked resources:

• Tip: Fall DST - Key Considerations for Prescribers 
• Guide: Fall Daylight Saving Time
• Manual: Blood Product Administration
• Procedure: Downtime for Blood Product Ordering
• Manual: Downtime Procedures
• Status: Connect Care

Countdown Checklist L9: Drop In

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Drop In

This ends our countdown checklist, with conversion of old to new charts well underway. We hope all goes well Saturday at 05:00 when the new charts become the official record of care!

Of course that's only the start. We'll have a working system but we'll need to grow it, and grow with it, to fulfill its potential.

• Virtual Drop-in Centre help is available via virtualhelp.connect-care.ca.
• HelpDesk is always open via help.connect-care.ca.

Informatics specialists, Super Users and physician informatics leads are eager to help. Reach out.

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 are listed below. Reminder that a camera icon in a blog post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

• General
• Seeking Site Medical Informatics Leads (North, Central, and South Zones)
• Important Updates for All Connect Care Prescribers (Launches 1-9)
• Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 12 Now Available
• All User Bulletin - Dragon Medical One Issues
• All User Bulletin - Daylight Savings Time and Scheduled Outages (November 3, 2024)
• AHS Digital Scribe Project
• Launch 9
• Launch 9 Supports for Prescribers
• CMIO Prescriber Virtual Drop-In Centre Now Open 
• Countdown Checklist
• T-minus 6: Follow the Tippies
• T-minus 5: Find Help at the Virtual Drop-In Centre
• T-minus 4: Unburden as Possible
• T-minus 3: Buddy Up, Team Up
• T-minus 2: Catch Up Dictations
• T-minus 1: You've Got This!
• T-minus 0: Share and Learn
• Launch 9 Supporters
• Handout Reminder for Launch 9 Supports
• Resources for Super Users and Area Trainers on Launch 9 Support Issues
• FAQ
• Do I use a Recommendation or Referral to send a patient to an allied health provider?
• Support
• Discharge Dispositions - Simplified Options
• New Order Set - Cystic Fibrosis Admission Adult
• E0 Workflow Updates
• New Pediatric Dosing Weight BPA
• Laboratory Results Review Update - Cord Blood Gases
• Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care Designation Updates
• Optimization Training - Classes in November
• Tips
• Tippy - Attaching Files to Charts
• Tippy - Fast Sorting
• Manual
• See What's New (updates and additions)
• Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 0: Share and Learn

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Share and Learn

We are down to the final few hours. Any preparations that could be, have been. Now we must turn to one another in a spirit of collaboration.

Super Users are widely distributed. Look for yellow and orange lanyards (prescriber supports; pink caps in the OR). Don't struggle. Ask for help.

• Late breaking tips and gap-fillers will be added to the Connect Care Manual. System/workflow updates and training addendums to be aware of around launch are also flagged on the Launch 9 Updates page of the Manual.
• The Connect Care Prescriber Updates will focus on pointers to new material, key developments, tips, tricks and FAQs. Use the buttons at the top, especially Tips, FAQ and Support.
• Ask a Super User or call the IT Service Desk with urgent needs: 1-877-311-4300.
• Request non-urgent (not addressed by peers and Super Users) needs, ideas and suggestions at help.connect-care.ca.
• Use the Virtual Drop-in Centre (virtualhelp.connect-care.ca).

Super Users use social media to rapidly share learnings so they can be widely applied... ask them for help. They can also way-find when they are unable to provide immediate help themselves.

AHS Digital Scribe Project

An exciting Quality Improvement project is about to launch in three emergency departments within AHS. Starting November 5, an artificial intelligence (AI) digital scribe application is going to be trialed by a small group of emergency physicians at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC). 

The project is a collaboration between AHS, the University of Alberta, and the Canadian Medical Association. Created initially by RDRHC emergency physician Dr. Mike Weldon with subsequent development by an in-house AHS team, the app, called AHS Digital Scribe, records and transcribes conversations between doctors and patients, and translates relevant details into medical notes. Once they review the notes, physicians can then copy and paste that information into Connect Care. The patient data are kept private and secure, within AHS. 

The hope is that the AHS Digital Scribe will reduce the administrative burden on physicians, while improving the care experience for both patients and their healthcare providers. With this technology, providers can hopefully focus more on direct patient care than on typing or dictating notes. 

Initially, there will only be a small number of physicians in each designated emergency department using the digital scribe technology, but the intention is to increase the number over the coming months. We want to gather their feedback to better understand how this works in our healthcare environment and the impact it has on the clinician and patient experience. If it is shown to be successful, we will investigate the feasibility and cost of a larger project that could be integrated with Connect Care.  

More information on the AHS Digital Scribe project is available at the Canadian Medical Association site: University of Alberta | CMA. It’s expected the 2-year pilot will be complete by June 2026.

• Questions: CMIO@ahs.ca

All User Bulletin - Dragon Medical One Issues

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

Dragon Medical One Issues 

Users are experiencing pixelation of text in Connect Care when Dragon Medical One (mobile dictation, DMO) is active. IT is actively troubleshooting the issue.

Update (Oct 31): The issue seems to be due to the upgraded version of DMO that went live October 9. IT will be rolling back to the older version of DMO until the issue is fixed. This roll back, however, cannot be done prior to Launch 9, and is expected to be completed by mid-November.

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 12 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:

• Prescriber Virtual Drop-In Centre for Launch 9 and Arthur Child prescribers/consultants 
• Workflow updates for all launches due to Launch 9
• Daylight Savings Time on November 3
• MyAHS Connect access changes and referral information
• Simplified discharge dispositions for IFTs
• H&P lookback setting extended
• Op Notes in Prep for Procedure navigator 
• Advanced Care Planning/Goals of Care Designation updates
• E0 Case Scheduling workflow updates for all STAT surgical cases
• SMAT changes in pediatric/neonatal order sets coming soon
• AHS Digital Scribe Project
• 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.

• Newsletter: Between the Charts - October 2024
• Manual: Between the Charts Archive (news.connect-care.ca)
• Feedback: CMIO-Manual@ahs.ca

Important Updates for All Connect Care Prescribers (Launches 1-9)

To prepare for Launch 9, there have been a number of system updates and new or changed workflows that affect both new and previously launched Connect Care prescribers. 

A new section in the Connect Care Manual flags the largest updates and changes to be aware of - Launch 9 Updates. It includes the following topics:

• Changes relating to admitting from/discharging to Continuing Care facilities launching in North and Edmonton Zones
• Changes to disposition selection in the Discharge order for all IFTs 
• Changes related to Population and Public Health programs joining Connect Care, including Health Link

Any additional changes needing attention during the launch support period will be flagged on the Launch 9 Updates page of the Manual, as well as the Connect Care Support Blog channel, our regular channel for posting system updates. Check back often, and consider subscribing to the Support Blog to receive new blog posts directly to your email.

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 1: You've Got This!

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• You've Got This -- And We've Got Your Back

Physicians, nurse practitioners and other prescribers have dedicated time and energy to preparing for Connect Care Launch 9. You've got this! 

• There are approximately 285 CMIO end users across the North, Edmonton, Central, Calgary, and South Zones who are part of Launch 9.
• 20 CMIO Super Users are deployed across the province, for CMIO end user support totalling over 720 hours of scheduled availability (this is expected to increase in the coming week). 
• 1127 hours of virtual drop-in support are scheduled for prescribers during the pre- and post-launch period.

Watch for Connect Care posters in Launch 9 sites, prescriber updates, and the launch support pages in the Manual.

• Poster: Launch 9 Virtual Drop-In Support

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 2: Catch Up Dictations

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Dictate any pre-launch admission or transfer notes

Launch 9 inpatient facilities are supported for dictation of admission histories, transfer notes, consultation reports and discharge summaries. This is done through the provincial eScription service, with products appearing in the Netcare electronic health record. These dictations will also be available to refer to in Connect Care when it launches.

Succinct initial progress notes become possible in Connect Care if they can refer to an existing digital admission or transfer record and simply note any changes since. The same applies for Consults performed in the coming week for patients expected to still be in-hospital post-launch.

• Take advantage of eScription to facilitate easier Connect Care cutover this weekend!

Seeking Site Medical Informatics Leads (North, Central, and South Zones)

Alberta Health Services is seeking passionate leaders to fill multiple available positions as Site Medical Informatics Leads (SMILs) in the North, Central, and South Zones (positions for Edmonton and Calgary Zones will be posted and advertised soon). The SMILs will collaborate closely with their Zone's Medical Leadership team and work together with leadership and healthcare practitioners at assigned facilities/site(s) to ensure the seamless integration and optimization of Digital Health. The SMILs will:

• directly engage site leadership;
• establish and maintain effective communications;
• identify workflow and tool gaps;
• contribute local/specialized knowledge;
• be a visible champion for clinical systems; and
• be involved in enhanced local decision-making.

The SMILs will be seasoned physicians within the province of Alberta who understand the complexities of large-scale transformational change, have experience in clinical operations, are committed to continuous quality improvement, and can contribute to the innovation, integration, and consistency of patient-centered clinical care. The successful candidates would report to the Chief Medical Information Officer.

The postings will remain open until suitable candidates are found. 

For a full description of the positions and to apply, see the relevant zonal posting:

• Posting: Doctor Jobs Alberta - Site Medical Informatics Lead, North Zone
• Posting: Doctor Jobs Alberta - Site Medical Informatics Lead, Central Zone
• Posting: Doctor Jobs Alberta - Site Medical Informatics Lead, South Zone
• Contact: David.Pincock@ahs.ca

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 3: Buddy Up, Team Up

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Buddy-Up and Team-Up

Every clinical group will have members who like, and others who dislike, information management. This is a good time to recognize this reality and identify buddies for providers who may struggle.

There are valuable human resources embedded in Launch 9 sites and others flowing in from Zone sites already on Connect Care. Pre-socialize your Super Users, Medical Informatics Leads, Area Trainers and other specialty, ward or clinic informaticians. Create and share a launch contact list that fits your local group needs. Prescriber launch supports (launchhelp.connect-care.ca) link to a Super User schedule - good contacts to start with.

This is also a good time to consider how clinical information system adoption work can be divided and shared. Some personalization tasks, for example, can dramatically improve the user experience but take time to set up. Many can be initiated by a team member who understands the preferences of colleagues then shared for adoption by a larger group. Examples of allocatable personalization tasks are listed in the Connect Care Manual.

Consider devoting group, division, or other business meetings to identifying, and sharing, remaining team readiness tasks.

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 4: Unburden as Possible

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Unburden where and when Possible

Many clinical services have limited abilities to control patient numbers or clinical workloads. However, each Launch 9 zone is implementing strategies to ease launch pressures in ways that befit their units and capabilities. In addition, clinicians can help by:

• Identifying and flagging complex continuing patients who may need more cutover attention during the pre-launch week (see previous posts on pre-launch cutover tasks here and here). 
• Printing patient lists the evening before launch to ease populating provider care team lists on launch day.
• Protecting time before launch to confirm access to the Connect Care production environment for re-familiarization with training activities and high-value personalizations.

See our Byte about workload planning for more information.

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 5: Find Help at the Virtual Drop-In Centre

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Take advantage of the Prescriber Virtual Drop-in Centre

The Virtual Drop-in Centre provides Launch 9 prescribers with support virtually, and is good for troubleshooting issues related to: mobility, personal devices, dictation, personalization and workflows; login, role and access problems; and more complex issues.

The Virtual Drop-in Centre is already open! More information on the Virtual Drop-in Centre – including how to access and a full schedule of hours during the launch support period –  can be found in the Connect Care Manual (launchhelp.connect-care.ca).

• Manual: Launch Supports
• Poster: Launch 9 Virtual Drop-In Support
• Tip: How to Find Help Before, During, and After Launch - Launch 9 Prescribers

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 6: Follow the Tippies

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Follow Connect Care Tippies

With most Launch 9 prescribers having full Connect Care production access, this is prime time for setting up starter personalizations that can streamline Connect Care workflows at launch. This is also a great time to collect simple best practices that colleagues have found most useful. These "Tippy" peer-to-peer tips can be considered within a moment, with many able to speed things up for most users.

Tippies are published on our "Tips" channel (button above or tips.connect-care.ca) and are re-released approximately twice a week in the peri-launch period. Please consider subscribing to the Tips channel.

The entire Tippies collection can be viewed via tippies.connect-care.ca or tippy.connect-care.ca (worth bookmarking).

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 are listed below. Reminder that a camera icon in a blog post on any of our channels indicates that there is an accompanying screenshot - just click the icon to view. 

• General
• MyAHS Connect - Access Update [updated with resources]
• Launch 9
• Launch 9 Supports for Prescribers
• CMIO Prescriber Virtual Drop-In Centre Now Open 
• Handout Reminder for Launch 9 Supports
• Countdown Checklist
• T-minus 18: Identify Launch Supports
• T-minus 16: Check Provider Registry Entry
• T-minus 14: Confirm Dual Roles
• T-minus 13: Get Ready for RAAPID
• T-minus 12: Know Where to Get Downtime Help
• T-minus 11: Anticipate Post-Acute Cutover
• T-minus 10: Anticipate Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE)
• T-minus 9: Check In Basket
• T-minus 8: Complete Login Lab
• T-minus 7: Support Cutover Activities
• Support
• Interfacility Transfer Workflow Changes - Held Orders
• Updated NICU EEG Orders
• Tips
• Tippy - Time Shortcuts
• Tippy - Changing Jobs
• Tippy - Changing Context
• Tippy - Linking Personal to System Patient Lists
• Manual
• See What's New (updates and additions)
• Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 7: Support Cutover Activities

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Support Cutover Activities

Key for attending physicians, nurse practitioners and trainees anticipating Launch 9 inpatient and/or outpatient launch is work to make sure that essential information is ready for loading or linking into the Connect Care clinical information system before launch... and that legacy systems are tidied up so that they can be retired. Related preparations include: 

• General inpatient: Make sure that all dictations are complete and signed; use dictation (eScription) for all admissions, transfers and consults between now and launch, if possible, so that transition notes at launch can refer to recent documentation in Netcare. 
• Outpatient: Make sure that all clinic documentation is complete, signed and routed, while also taking care to close any charts still open in legacy systems.
• Long-term care (LTC): Review orders entered into Connect Care for LTC residents to ensure accuracy of medication and non-medication orders. 
• Complex patients: Consider pre-launch problem list documentation to support easy transition note generation at launch. Please be aware that clinical teams may still be entering information up until November 1 at 23:30.
• Post-acute: Please ensure all forms are reviewed and signed by October 30. All new patients admitted from October 31 to November 1 will need cutover forms signed. 

Reminder: All team members should be logged out of the legacy and Connect Care systems by November 1 at 23:30, and remain out of the system until November 2 at 05:00.

Key resources:

• FAQ: Prescriber Role at Cutover – Launch 9 Post-Acute Care
• FAQ: Prescriber Role at Cutover – Launch 9 LTC
• FAQ: Prescriber Role at Cutover – Launch 9 DSL and LTC with Contracted Pharmacy
• Checklist: Prescriber Checklist for Cutover – Launch 9 Post-Acute Care
• Checklist: Prescriber Checklist for Cutover – Launch 9 Continuing Care
• Manual: Cutover

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 8: Complete Login Lab

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Complete CMIO Login Lab

It is essential that all Launch 9 prescribers confirm access to the AHS Network (insite.ahs.ca), to the Unified Access Portal (myapps.ahs.ca) and to Production (PRD) Connect Care.

In addition, all prescribers are required to complete a "CMIO Login Lab" found within Connect Care Hyperspace. This checks that the right tools are assigned to the user in the right way. 

Step-by-step instructions are provided in a tip:

• Tip: CMIO Login Lab
• Manual: CMIO Virtual Login Lab

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 9: Check In Basket

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Check In Basket

Launch 9 prescribers who have completed basic training and the associated proficiency assessment gain access to the Connect Care production environment (PRD), where they can complete personalizations and otherwise get ready for launch. As soon as a prescriber gains access to PRD, they also have an active "In Basket", with immediate implications to the routing of patient test results and communication.

Some prescribers participate in or are affected by early cutover and conversion activities; they can line up orders that need to be ready in the system at launch. There may be communications that relate to setting up surgical cases or outpatient encounters that will occur post-launch. In addition, once a prescriber's account is activated in PRD, new test results will start to automatically route to the prescriber's In Basket, and other Connect Care users can send messages to the prescriber via In Basket.

More information on managing results and reports is available in the Connect Care Manual. A Results Management Toolkit has been prepared (and is continually enhanced) to help prescribers hone effective and efficient results management habits. Prescribers with "mixed-context" practices need to be aware of situations where results might route to both their Connect Care and external EMR systems.

For these and other reasons, it is best to start regular In Basket checks now. A useful In Basket personalization sends alerts to an email of one's choice when there is new In Basket content.

• Tip: Email alerts to In Basket tasks
• Manual: In Basket
• Toolkit: Results Management
• FAQ: Results Routing for Mixed-Content Prescribers

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 10: Anticipate Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE)

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Anticipate CPOE

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) refers to the process of a medical prescriber entering orders electronically via a digital health record instead of using paper-based processes. 

CPOE offers an important means by which health processes and outcomes can improve. Entered orders trigger clinical decision supports that can help avoid unsafe medications, promote best practices and improve system performance. Studies show that the move from paper to CPOE decreases common medication errors by 50% or more.

Accordingly, it is a Minimum Use expectation that all tests, interventions and medications that can be ordered in Connect Care must be ordered in Connect Care. Very few exceptions are acceptable.

Connect Care provides tools that make CPOE as easy as possible. Indeed, with the convenience of ordering personalized favourites on any computer or mobile device, anywhere, anytime, ordering is easier to do, and do well, than when constrained by paper. Still, Launch 9 will bring significant change for many providers at facilities moving from paper to computerized order entry. This is a good time to anticipate and prepare for CPOE. Launch 9 prescribers should discuss with their medical leadership about expectations of CPOE as well as their department’s non-urgent communication tools pact.

• Manual: Clinical Ordering Norms
• Byte: Consultant Orders
• FAQ: Prescriber Orders
• Norm: Prescriber Orders

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 11: Anticipate Post-Acute Cutover

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Anticipate Post-Acute Cutover

Cutover for post-acute care is a process through which key pieces of information about admitted patients are entered into Connect Care prior to launch. The primary concern for prescribers will be the management of medication and non-medication orders, and the translation of important information about patients’ clinical status from a paper record to Connect Care.

Prescribers facilitate six key tasks as part of post-acute cutover processes:

• Pre-Launch (October 23–November 1)

1. Clean up medication orders in legacy systems. Remove unnecessary orders or unused PRNs.
2. Fill out or review and sign Non-Medication Order Forms for each admitted patient. Should be found on the front of charts. Deadline is end of day October 30 for post-acute care teams. Ensure the orders are predictive of the patient needs as of November 2 at 05:00.
3. If Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) was NOT done on the legacy BPMH form at admission, it will have to be done. Prescribers must review/complete and sign an AHS-approved BPMH form. (If BPMH was done on admission, there is nothing to do for this step.)
4. Optional: Create list of all patients the team is following by November 1 at 23:30, to ensure smooth creation of provider specific and specialty lists.
5. Optional: Summary Migration and Problem List entry can occur October 31–November 1 if teams wish to do this work ahead of time. 

• Reminder: All team members should be logged out of the legacy and Connect Care systems by November 1 at 23:30, and remain out of the system until November 2 at 05:00.

• Post-Launch (November 2)

1. Compare legacy Medication and Non-Medication orders to Connect Care orders. Orders that will be missing include but are not limited to: 
• Ongoing lab orders, only the first 24 hours worth of lab are being brought over.
• Reoccurring medications that were ordered after pharmacy closure time. 
• Wound Care orders. 
• Area specific orders.
• Orders that have changed since cutover occurred for patient.
2. Optional: If teams have decided to utilize patient lists, create provider specific and specialty lists by finding their patients on the individual units throughout the site. Once patients are located, attach your service provider team to the patients’ Current Encounter Treatment Team.

The following resources can help prescribers prepare for post-acute cutover activities (for long-term care/Continuing Care activities, see this post):

• FAQ: Post-Acute Care Prescriber Role at Cutover - Launch 9 
• Checklist: Post-Acute Care Prescriber Checklist for Cutover – Launch 9
• Manual: Cutover
• Form: Cutover Non-Medication Orders (example)
• Tip: Medication Reconciliation at Cutover

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 12: Know Where to Get Downtime Help

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Know where to get Downtime Help

The Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) needs periodic maintenance. Scheduled downtimes can happen as often as monthly, usually in the early hours of a weekday (e.g., between 00:30 and 04:30), avoiding peak patient care times. Downtimes can affect CIS parts (e.g., linked WellSky transfusion system) and/or the entire digital health record. Details about affected sub-systems are posted in advance of a planned downtime, and a variety of backup systems ensure that things like test results, order sets, documentation and other key tools remain accessible. During downtime, a CIS environment that provides a read-only view of chart information is available.

Most clinicians rarely, if ever, experience a scheduled downtime, and unscheduled downtimes are even rarer. The key is to know where to find just-in-time information and support.

The Connect Care Manual is hosted on separate servers not affected by AHS infrastructure, and so remains available during downtimes. In preparation for launch, check out the following link to see what the Manual covers. Essential information on downtime procedures is covered in a 1-page tip sheet, worth bookmarking. The first downtime scheduled after launch will be in February 2025, so there will be plenty of time to prepare.

• Manual: Downtime Procedures for Prescribers
• Tip: Downtime Essentials for Prescribers

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 13: Get Ready for RAAPID

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Get Ready for RAAPID

Transferring admitted patients between facilities may seem a confusing process, particularly when the receiving facility is not on Connect Care. But there's help! 

• RAAPID: The RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information & Destination) service manages all consultation requests within Connect Care, streamlining the process into a single "Intake Encounter". If transferring a patient to an alternate level of care or to emergency care, call RAAPID first.
• Leave of Absence (LOA): Once RAAPID is involved in the process, a Leave of Absence order should be entered to communicate the unit to start the transfer process in Connect Care.

For additional information on RAAPID and LOA workflows, see the Connect Care Manual. 

• Manual: RAAPID
• Manual: Leave of Absence (LOA)

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 14: Confirm Dual Roles

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Ambidextrous? Let us know!

Most physicians work within a primary care or specialty service and are well served by the Connect Care department, role and user template initially assigned to them. Some prescribers work in multiple facilities or specialties (e.g., Critical Care and Medicine), still served well by their Connect Care toolset and the ability to change departments (contexts) on the fly.

Some prescribers work in two or more clinical areas that require quite different clinical information system (CIS) modules. The emergency module (ASAP), for example, is not like the critical care user interface. If one needs to switch between different modules for different roles (e.g., ER physician and Critical Care physician), then more than one "job" needs to be added to one's Connect Care prescriber record.

Connect Care has made these configuration changes for dual-role prescribers who are already known. If you think you may have been missed, likely because you do not see a module you need in PRD, get in touch with Medical Affairs or Provincial NP Services to request adjustments to your profile.

• Provincial Medical Affairs: PMA.Requests@ahs.ca
• Provincial NP Services: prov.npservices@ahs.ca
• Demo: Tip - Changing Contexts
• Tip: Changing Jobs

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 16: Check Provider Registry Entry

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Confirm PROVIDER REGISTRY Information

The Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) draws from a “provider registry” to store information about clinicians in the CIS. The registry is also a source of information that can affect how CIS user roles and permissions are set up, how providers can find and communicate with one another, and how things like preference lists and referrals work. 

It is important that this information be correct, and getting ready for Connect Care launch is a perfect time to validate information about oneself. Specific instructions are provided in: 

• Tip: Confirming Provider Registry Information

Access and identity essentials are described in the Connect Care Manual.

CMIO Prescriber Virtual Drop-In Centre Now Open

The CMIO Connect Care Launch 9 Prescriber Virtual Drop-in Centre is now open! 

The Virtual Drop-in Centre provides Launch 9 prescribers with support virtually, and is good for troubleshooting issues related to: mobility, personal devices, dictation, personalization and workflows; login, role and access problems; and more complex issues. 

The Virtual Drop-in is open Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00, from October 15 to November 1 (closed Saturdays and Sundays). Hours then increase once the Launch 9 sites are live on Connect Care, and the Virtual Drop-in will remain open into December.

More information on the Virtual Drop-in Centre (including how to access and a full schedule of hours during the launch support period) can be found at launchhelp.connect-care.ca.

• Poster: Launch 9 Virtual Drop-In Support

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 18: Identify Launch Supports

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...

• Identify Launch Supports

This is a good time to check that you and your colleagues know who the Super Users, Medical Informatics Leads or other peer-resources are for your clinical site, group, area or clinic. They can facilitate pre-launch personalization activities. They will be present and a great resource during the weeks around launch. 

Clinical groups may plan for their own start and end-of-day check-ins to flag issues to forward to twice daily launch support meetings.

Note where Launch Supports are described in the Connect Care Manual. This information is frequently updated with specifics about how to find and use in-person, online and telephone supports for help with Connect Care on-boarding, including the daily Super User schedule and details about the Launch 9 Virtual Drop-in Centre (which opens tomorrow, October 15).

• Manual: Launch Supports
• Poster: Launch 9 Virtual Drop-In Support
• Tip: How to Find Help Before, During, and After Launch - Launch 9 Prescribers