2026-05-19

Downtime for Dell Wyse Thin Client Devices, Thursday May 21, 2026, 01:00-03:00

Dell Wyse Thin Client Devices devices will be intermittently unavailable Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 01:00 to 03:00. During this downtime, Connect Care users will not be able to launch Connect Care for approximately 30 minutes while the device is updating. 
  • Users will receive a 1-minute warning prior to the update taking place, after which the device will lock. 
  • Devices will be updated in waves over the 2-hour downtime – not all devices will be affected at the same time. 
  • Users who are logged in during this time will be disconnected and will need to re-authenticate following the downtime. 
Please ensure that Dell Wyse devices are left on for the update to occur.
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2026-05-15

Reminder: Medical Certificates of Death are Digital where Connect Care is the Record of Care

As previously posted, a digital workflow for completing a Medical Certificate of Death (MCoD) in Connect Care must be used by the most responsible physician or nurse practitioner whenever Connect Care is the record of care at the time of a patient's death. 

Deceased information is automatically sent from Connect Care to Vital Statistics, with no need for paper certificates. Nothing needs to be printed for Funeral Homes or Vital Statistics. 

Nursing units continue sending printed death information with a body on dispatch from the ward. Any associated printing is not a prescriber responsibility. The relevant report is available via the Media tab of the Chart Review activity in a patient chart.

  • Note: From May 21, 2026, the 1-page death information report will be more clearly labelled (with embedded instructions) to further emphasize that it is not a death certificate.

Paper forms are being retired; stocks will not be replaced in facilities that use Connect Care as the record of care. 

Some clinicians have wondered about specific workflows. Instructions are embedded in the Connect Care certification tools, and are available in the Connect Care Manual.

  • Downtime: If a death occurs during a Connect Care downtime, responsible prescribers are advised to complete a digital death certificate after the downtime finishes. 
  • Unidentified patient: If a death occurs before a patient is identified ("unknown patient"), responsible prescribers are advised to wait for positive patient identification and the associated chart merge before completing a digital death certificate.
More information:
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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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2026-05-11

Connect Care Scheduled Downtime and Spring Upgrade - Thursday May 14, 2026, 00:30-04:30

What you need to know

The Connect Care clinical information system needs periodic maintenance. The next scheduled update will occur during downtime on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between 00:30 and 04:30. On this occasion, all Connect Care production systems are affected, including Hyperspace, Transfusion (WellSky), Content (Quanum), Mobility (Haiku and Canto), MUSE and ECG Web, MyChart, and the Link Provider Portal. 

  • PRD SRO (the read-only copy of the production environment) will be available during this outage; PRD SRO is accessible from any computer regularly used for documenting in Connect Care. Netcare also remains available. 
  • If you need to view and print patient information during the downtime, please use North BCA Web (try first) or South BCA Web; if both North and South BCA Web access are not available, please call the Provincial Solution Centre at 1-877-311-4300. 
  • The environment that controls information flow between clinical systems, the Regional Integration Engine (RIE), will also be taking a scheduled downtime on May 14 between 00:30 and 02:00.
  • Cogito, the Connect Care Reporting tool, will also be unavailable prior to and during this downtime, from May 13 at 23:30 to May 14 at 05:30.
  • Note there are also limitations on managing personalization settings before (and during) this period due to the transparent lockdown, previously posted about here. 

Spring 2026 Upgrade

This downtime window is specifically for the Spring 2026 Upgrade, with changes to most Connect Care applications. These changes are primarily enhancements and will affect all prescribers using Connect Care. Information on most of the changes will be summarized in a new “What’s New” feature available directly in Connect Care, and users can preview the upgraded applications in the PLY/PLY2 environment and practice using the exercise booklets starting May 4. A couple of additional changes will be going live at the same time, BPMH optimizations and the ED Downtime Track Board. For more information, see the Connect Care Manual. 

What you need to do

BEFORE DOWNTIME

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

DURING DOWNTIME

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

AFTER DOWNTIME

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

Where you can find more information

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

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2026-05-08

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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2026-05-07

Upcoming Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) Optimizations

A Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) is needed whenever a patient presents to a Connect Care encounter from a setting (e.g., home or facility) not using the Connect Care clinical information system, and timely capture of a BPMH for medication reconciliation (med rec) is a Connect Care minimum use norm expectation. Alongside the Spring Upgrade occurring May 14, 2026, enhancements will be implemented for the BPMH section within Connect Care, to improve usability and workflow efficiency. These changes will not be summarized in the "What's New" tool being used for other changes included in the Spring Upgrade, but are detailed in demo videos and other resources, linked below. Users can preview the changes in the PLY/PLY2 environment and practice their workflows starting May 4.

What is changing?

These changes are intuitive but will affect the BPMH workflow for all specialties in inpatient, continuing care, and ambulatory care who have medication management within their scope. 

  • Ambulatory: 
    • The Medication Review section will be renamed "BPMH/Home Meds". It includes tools prescribers are likely already used to using, like those for marking taking statuses and changing a patient's preferred pharmacy. It includes new options to add multiple patient-reported medications at the same time, more information when flagging medications for removal, and observe medication interaction warnings without being required to act on them. 
    • The biggest change is the Informants grid, where prescribers will capture the two sources of information.  
  • Inpatient: 
    • The BPMH/Home Medication activity will still be accessed in the Admission Navigator. 
    • The biggest change is the Informants grid, where prescribers will capture the two sources of information. 
    • There will now also be speed buttons at the top to quickly "Mark Unselected Today", "Mark Unselected Yesterday", and "Mark Unselected Unknown".
    • Prescribers can "Add Ongoing Comments" to capture information such as drug plan coverage, that will be visible across all encounters. 
    • The BPMH Completion Status options are also getting an update.

Resources

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2026-04-30

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 27 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • Spring Upgrade, transparent lockdown, and downtime (May 14)
  • Coming soon: BPMH optimizations and ED Downtime Track Board (May 14)
  • PIN and IMM/ARI viewers in Connect Care
  • Update to admission/transfer Hospital Service listings
  • New antibiotics order panel for admitted patients on hemodialysis
  • New telemetry and isolation status Patient List columns
  • STAT collection vs. STAT testing
  • Encounter department for outgoing referrals
  • Upskilling via Epic's SmartUser program
  • Adding acronyms to custom DMO vocabulary
  • Connecting personal devices to AHSRestrict 
  • May Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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Improving Patient Flow: Tracking and Updating Telemetry and Isolation Status

Connect Care provides tools to help prescribers facilitate efficient patient journeys through acute care facilities. This can start in emergency rooms where patients' admission needs are determined by considerations like cardiac monitoring and isolation for communicable disease risks. 

Two new patient list columns can help emergency room consultants and admitting services match incoming patients with available inpatient resources. 

  • Telemetry Status (column ID = 304348154)
    • Display: Icon shows if patient has an active order for telemetry (cardiac monitoring).
    • Hover: Pop-up information about monitoring order and link to action telemetry.
    • Double-click: Open chart to orders activity.
  • Isolation Status (column ID = 3043460401)
    • Display: Icon shows if patient has an active isolation order. 
    • Hover: Current isolation status and link to open a discontinue isolation order. 
    • Double-click: Open pop-up window with more information about isolation status, results of respiratory infection screening, and link to isolation order.

Either column can be added to any patient list. Both are part of the "++AHS ED MD CONSULTS++ provincial Patient List Template, which can be applied to personal lists to automatically set up the above columns in addition to other columns useful for admission planning in Emergency contexts. 

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2026-04-24

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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2026-04-17

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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2026-04-15

Improving Patient Flow: Recognizing Repatriation Opportunities

Connect Care provides tools to help prescribers expedite safe discharges for inpatients. Use of these tools can improve patient flow, reduce bed overcapacity pressures, and ease emergency department congestion.

A recent enhancement to expected discharge disposition tools can help clinicians recognize (and act on) situations where patients may be suitable for return to a sending facility. 

The Expected Discharge Disposition patient list column now provides a visual indication (grey return icon) of whether a patient is from, and may return to, an out-of-zone facility or whether a repatriation process is already initiated (green return arrow). The column hover bubble also includes direct links for initiating a repatriation order and/or an inter-facility discharge order.

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2026-04-13

Improving Patient Flow: Discharge Planning Tools for Prescribers

Connect Care provides tools to help prescribers expedite safe discharge for inpatients. Use of these tools can improve patient flow, reduce bed overcapacity pressures, and ease emergency department congestion.

A set of 4 Patient List columns offer a great starting point for finding, tracking, and updating key discharge planning information:

A 2-page Quick Start guide highlights simple steps to improving daily prescriber discharge planning:

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2026-04-10

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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2026-04-08

For Awareness: Connecting Personal Devices to AHSRestrict

Beginning April 8, 2026, the way non-prescriber staff connect their personal devices to corporate WiFi will change. Staff can currently access AHSRestrict and Healthspot using their work credentials. After this transition, non-prescribers' personal devices can only use Healthspot. This change will significantly enhance the security of the network and critical systems, and will roll out in small batches across the province with an expected completion date of July 2026.

Prescribers should not see an impact of this change and can continue to login and access WiFi as before, as both corporate-owned and prescribers' BYOD and personal devices will continue to have access to AHSRestrict. However, if any prescribers notice difficulty connecting to AHSRestrict, they should contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300) for assistance.

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2026-04-06

Discharge Planning Tool Enhancements for Prescribers

Building upon Fall 2025 enhancements (see previous post) further improvements to discharge planning tools are introduced this month. These are most relevant to prescribers, focusing on ease of access, editing, and tracking of inpatients':

Patient list columns now include improved hover-bubble displays and double-click editing. Key prescriber accountabilities can be fulfilled using the columns, without needing to open patient charts. Help links are embedded and a new "target" icon link opens relevant personal and group feedback dashboards.

Future postings will dig deeper into discharge planning tools most important for, and useful to, prescribers.

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2026-03-31

Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) Viewer in Connect Care

The Alberta Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) application is typically viewed within the Alberta Netcare Portal. It provides access to listings of medications dispensed by participating Alberta pharmacies. From April 1, 2026, a simplified PIN sidebar viewer is available within Connect Care. This summarizes the last year of a patient's dispensed medications without the need to open Netcare.

The Connect Care PIN viewer can be opened using links available in the Storyboard ("Other clinical systems") or the Sidebar ("Other systems" index item) of any opened chart (inpatient, emergency, outpatient). Links are also provided within the Admission navigator and the Home Medications section of the Orders activity.

Clinicians should review medication dispensing events when entering, editing or validating a patient's home medication list (medication reconciliation). 

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Alberta Immunization Record (IMM) Viewer in Connect Care

The Alberta Record of Immunization (IMM/ARI) includes information about immunizations administered by Alberta public health programs, as well as most community pharmacies. Private immunizations administered in physician offices or travel clinics may not be represented. 

The IMM/ARI application is typically viewed within the Alberta Netcare Portal. In addition, from April 1, 2026, a simplified IMM sidebar viewer is available within Connect Care. This summarizes a patient's Alberta record of immunization.

The Connect Care IMM viewer can be opened using links available in the Storyboard ("Other clinical systems") or the Sidebar ("Other systems" index item) of any opened chart (inpatient, emergency, outpatient). Links are also provided within the Connect Care immunization activity.

Clinicians should review both Connect Care and IMM immuniztion information when building a clinically relevant vaccination profile for a patient (immunization reconciliation). 

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2026-03-30

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 26 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • AI functionality and resources
  • Nicotine order tool updates
  • Mobile lab collection requisition now digitized
  • New GCD interim order OPA
  • "Not My Result" workflow optimization
  • Order search results now more tailored
  • Coming soon: updated medical readiness for discharge tools
  • Taming In Basket Phase 3 auto-expired message removal (April 13)
  • Lab eOrdering in the community
  • April Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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2026-03-27

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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2026-03-13

Reminder: Use Digital Workflow for Medical Certificate of Death

As previously posted, the digital workflow for completing a Medical Certificate of Death (MCoD) in Connect Care launched a few weeks ago, and we’re pleased to see many funeral homes readily adapting to the improved process. Deceased information is automatically sent from Connect Care to Vital Statistics, with no need for paper certificates.

To help all come onboard with the digital MCoD both in community hospitals and urban centres, please remember to always use the digital workflow. The Discharge as Deceased navigator (found via the Discharge Transfer Gateway) provides all instructions for the workflow, simply follow the steps as guided.

Paper forms are being retired... facility patient registration (admitting) departments, as well as Alberta funeral homes, expect electronic MCoD filing for all deaths where Connect Care is the record of care at the time of death.

For more information, see:

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On Other Channels...

Below is a digest of new blog posts across all the Connect Care clinician blog channels in the last 3 weeks. For more info on the blogs, click here. 

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2026-03-10

Unified Access Portal Update - March 12, 2026 (Action May Be Needed)

All Connect Care access happens via the "MyApps" Unified Access Portal (UAP), which uses Citrix Workspace. UAP will be undergoing a technology update on Thursday, March 12, 2026, between 18:00 and 21:00. Connect Care will remain available, and no interruptions to access are expected. There will also be no change to the appearance or function of the webpage. However, personal devices that have UAP bookmarked may require action: 

  • If your existing bookmark does not work after the update, ensure your bookmark URL is set to http://myapps.albertahealthservices.ca/.
  • If you have issues launching Citrix applications, follow your device’s steps to reinstall Citrix Workspace. 
Please contact the IT Service Desk (1-877-311-4300) if you require further assistance.

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2026-03-09

New Project: Electronic Lab Ordering in Community Clinics

To allow community-based prescribers to electronically order lab tests directly from within their office Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), a project to test a “minimally viable product” (MVP) for closed-loop lab e-ordering is being delivered through a partnership involving many stakeholders including the Government of Alberta’s Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS) ministry, Health Shared Services, Alberta Precision Laboratories, and relevant software vendors. 

The initial MVP project involving a single community EMR vendor (AVA) and a single clinic (Kneehill Clinic in Three Hills) went live on February 26, 2026. Following this first phase, there will be a period of evaluation with determination of how to proceed with phase 2 (e.g., broadening the scope of MVP participants, rollout to other vendors and clinics). 

The goal of the multi-year project is to have provincial adoption of lab e-ordering workflows in 80–90% of community clinics achieved by 2030. Stay tuned for more information as the project continues to evolve and progress.

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2026-03-06

Coming Soon: Digitized APL Mobile Collections Requisition

Mobile collection services are provided to eligible patients outside of lab collection centres, and must be ordered separately from other lab tests entered in Connect Care. To request mobile collections, completion of the Mobile Collections Requisition is required. Previously, the form could only be manually filled out and faxed. As of March 17, 2026, this form can be filled out and faxed directly from Connect Care, as with other Letter Forms. Using the Connect Care option not only reduces completion time, but also records confirmation in the patient’s chart that the mobile service has been requested. 

The Mobile Collections Requisition can be accessed in two different ways from Connect Care:

  • Sidebar Summary Index: Click the "Forms" link, then the "Service Requests" link under the "Letter Forms" section. Selecting "Mobile Collections Requisitions" will open the Communications activity window.
  • Communications activity: Click the "+ New Communication" link, then search for the "APL MOBILE" template in the "Choose Letter" section.

For detailed instructions on how to complete the form within Connect Care, see the updated guide (starting at page 4): 

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2026-03-05

Unexpected Delivery Location for Some Future Orders

As previously posted, on November 25, 2025, Connect Care updated the delivery of lab results to respect each provider’s chosen primary delivery location. Since then, some future orders (including pending standing orders and therapy plan orders) have been delivered to an unexpected location when the primary delivery location was changed after the order was entered, causing results to go to the location preferred at the time of signing. 

To ensure results are delivered to the updated delivery preference, providers are advised to:

  • cancel outstanding orders (including standing orders and therapy plans); and
  • issue replacement orders when they next see the patient.

For more information, see the memo: 

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2026-03-02

New Inpatient Bridging Medications Ordering Workflow

"Bridging medications" are intended to provide a limited supply of required medications at discharge/care transition in exceptional circumstances when a patient does not have supply at home or adequate, timely access to the medication(s) from a community or specialty pharmacy. They are provided only when necessary to meet the immediate needs of patients or vulnerable populations, and the amount provided are the minimum needed for the patient's health, safety, and ongoing treatment requirements (maximum 72 hours supply). 

There are certain legislative and scope of practice requirements for dispensing these medications. As of March 3, 2026, inpatient unit prescribers will be required to enter a “Bridging Medications Supply” order to facilitate preparation, notification, and safe dispensing of these medications in accordance with appropriate legislation and scope of practice requirements. 
  • Bridging medications must be ordered AFTER interfacility orders have been signed or discharge home medications have been fully reconciled. 
  • Pharmacy is responsible for preparing bridging medications; however, if pharmacy is unavailable or not given enough notice, then an appropriate healthcare professional (typically a nursing team member) is able to do so.
  • Note: This change does not impact the existing workflow for Emergency Room providers (and their existing bridging supply orders via the “Dispo” tab remains the same). 
For inpatient workflow details, see the Manual, tip sheet, and demo:
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2026-02-25

Between the Charts: CMIO Newsletter for Prescribers - Issue 25 Now Available

Our monthly newsletter for prescribers, 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:

  • Requesting bridging medications (March 3)
  • Spring Daylight Savings Time (March 8)
  • New CMIO Health Shared Services emails
  • Accessing Insite/SharePoint links from Connect Care
  • Auto-closure of old co-sign order requests
  • Upcoming AMH Neuromodulation Therapy Plan updates (March 24)
  • Appropriate access and confidentiality of information in Connect Care
  • Digital Medical Certificate of Death workflow
  • Ordering bloodwork for patients on clozapine
  • Message templates for Secure Chat
  • March Optimization (a.k.a. Thrive) classes
  • 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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2026-02-20

On Other Channels...

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

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2026-02-19

All User Bulletin - Rover Alert for Held by Provider Medications

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

Rover Alert for Held by Provider Medications

An issue has been found where the alert for held medication administrations is not appearing as expected when nursing staff are administering medications using Rover. While this does not impact prescriber workflows, prescribers should be aware that this issue may result in Held by Provider medications being inadvertently administered to patients. 

Epic is working on a fix for this issue to be released in an upcoming patch version for Rover (date yet to be determined). In the meantime, more information can be found in the bulletin and tip sheet (for nursing staff).

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2026-02-13

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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