2024-09-16

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 46: Get Ready for Mobility

Continuing our list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • Get Ready for Mobility and Speech Recognition
Connect Care mobile apps (Haiku, Limerick and Canto) allow access to the patient chart on personal devices anywhere there is Internet access. Dragon Medical One transforms Android or Apple smartphones into transcription devices for dictation directly into the medical record. 

AHS uses the "Workspace ONE" application to distribute these clinical applications to mobile devices, while ensuring the devices work with Connect Care to protect patient information.
  • Haiku – Connect Care for iPhones or Android smartphones.
  • Limerick – Installs on Apple Watches and works with Haiku alerting functions.
  • Canto – Connect Care on iPad tablets.
  • PowerMic Mobile – Installs to iPhones or Android smartphones for speech recognition (allowing in-system dictation and voice commands to Connect Care).
Mobile apps have proven very popular with prescribers. They simplify anywhere/anytime access to lists, patient information, dictation, notes, orders and communications. Clinicians will want to set these up as soon as basic training is complete:
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2024-09-13

On Other Channels...

Thank you for continuing to check the Connect Care update blog for prescribers (ideally, subscribe to multiple channels; see instructions). Recent additions to this blog and its various channels 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. 

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Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 49: Complete Basic Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • Complete Basic Training
All Connect Care users must demonstrate basic proficiency (based on basic training) before gaining access to the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) and undertaking personalization and mobility training.

The EUPA ("End User Proficiency Assessment") is used to assess basic proficiency. It becomes available in MyLearningLink (MLL) with basic training registration, and is to be completed after basic training is complete. The assessment is done online. It is not hard and is "open book" alongside a Connect Care environment (practice in PLY, check EXAM while assessment is in progress) with access to training guides. To prepare, practice in addition to basic training is recommended.

Don't procrastinate! It is better to take the EUPA, not get the needed 80%, and then re-take. Delaying only keeps one from progressing to personalization. And there is no access to the full production CIS unless both On Our Best Behaviours (OOBB; Privacy & Confidentiality Training, InfoCare) and EUPA are complete (note that it may take up to 12 hours after passing the EUPA to gain access).

After completing the EUPA, check to see if it shows under your "Completed" tab in MLL. If not, don't worry! Use the following link to affirm that you have completed, and you will be moved to pass.
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2024-09-11

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 51: Consider UserWeb Access

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • (Optional) Register for UserWeb Access
While Epic Systems software is but one part of the Connect Care clinical information system, it provides essential database, integration, and all user interface functions. 

Understanding the Epic ecosystem can make a difference to Connect Care users who wish to become a resource to their peers (e.g., Super User). A wealth of information is available through Epic's "UserWeb". 

Connect Care Manual and blog postings may reference UserWeb resources, available only to those with UserWeb login credentials. These are easy to obtain (be sure to use your AHS email when registering):
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2024-09-09

Connect Care Scheduled Downtime and Fall Upgrade - Thursday September 12, 2024, 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, September 12, 2024, between 00:30 and 04:30. On this occasion, all Connect Care production systems are affected, including Hyperdrive, Transfusion (WellSky), Content (Quanum), Dictation (Dragon Medical One), OBIX, MUSE and ECG Web, MyAHS Connect, and the Link Provider Portal. The environment that controls information flow between clinical systems, the Regional Integration Engine, will also be taking a scheduled outage during this time (from 00:30 to 02:00). 

  • PRD SRO (the read-only copy of the production environment) will be available during this outage; PRD SRO is accessible from any computer used for documenting in Connect Care regularly. Netcare also remains available. 
  • Note there are also limitations on managing personalization settings before (and during) this period due to the transparent lockdown, previously posted about here. 
  • As the Regional Integration Engine will be down, resulting/messages from systems integrated with Connect Care such as WellSky (Transfusion Medicine) and AegisPOC (Point-of-Care Testing) will be queued and automatically update at the end of the outage.

This downtime window is specifically for the Fall 2024 Upgrade, with changes to most Connect Care applications. These changes are primarily enhancements and will affect all prescribers using Connect Care. General summaries of the change impacts for Ambulatory and Inpatient Orders are available in comprehensive slide decks linked below, with additional slide decks detailing track-specific changes. These slide decks include links to tip sheets hosted by Epic; users will need to have an Epic account to view them. In addition, a tip sheet details changes specific to Mobility (Haiku/Canto). All these resources are also linked to from the 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 or eScription 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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Consult Order Optimization Project - Adult Medical (Part 2) and Critical Care Consult Orders

As previously posted, the Consult Order Optimization Project seeks to ensure that inpatient consult orders only exist in facilities where that service is provided using the consult order process. The last phase of the project goes live Tuesday, September 10, 2024, and focuses on Adult Medical (part 2) and Critical Care consult orders.

  • Where a consult order does not exist within a facility: 
    • For non-urgent consults or those for telephone advice only, consider calling/paging directly using the Regional On-Call Application (ROCA) or local call schedule information.
    • For urgent consults or for patients requiring inter-facility acceptance/transfer, use the Connect Care RAAPID Service Request Order. No phone calls are required, unless the patient condition changes.
    • For hyper-emergent situations requiring the most expeditious consult or transport, call RAAPID by phone directly (do not use Connect Care RAAPID Service Request Order).
  • If you detect any errors in the list of affected orders found in the zonal PowerPoint presentations linked below (i.e., a missing order or an order present that should not be), please submit a ticket or call Help Desk 1-877-311-4300. 
    • Please specify which consult order and whether you are the consultant that responds to that consult order or the attending, ED physician or other clinician requesting that service for your patient.

For more information: 

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Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 53: Get Ready for Billing

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • Get Ready for Billing with Connect Care
In getting ready to launch, you have likely heard that Connect Care can do billing. While true, access to full billing management in Connect Care, i.e., Resolute Professional Billing, is limited to the cohort of physicians who have a pre-existing billing arrangement, as well as all nurse practitioners (NPs), once their site launches Connect Care. Most prescribers then will not use Resolute, but can use the "Service Code Capture" activity in Hyperspace to assemble the information needed to support a billing claim.

The table below highlights the difference between billing from within Connect Care (i.e., using Resolute) and using Service Code Capture to submit claims from outside of Connect Care, just like you do now. Contact servicecodecapture@ahs.ca with questions; for NP-specific billing questions, contact Provincial NP Services at prov.npservices@ahs.ca.

Submitting Claims Outside of Connect Care with Service Code Capture (SCC)

Submitting Claims Through Connect Care with Resolute Professional Billing

Available to any prescriber documenting in Connect Care.

Not an option for most prescribers who use Connect Care due to Alberta Health directive. Includes all NPs.

No change to the billing software prescribers or their billers use. No change in who prescribers engage to assist with billing for their services.

The Professional Billing Office (PBO) has full-time billing specialists.

Several Alberta billing software vendors and private billing services have built functionality to support importing of SCC data into their systems.

AHS will send bills to all third-party payers and collect payments.

Payments flow directly to prescribers’ bank accounts.

Any payments billed by AHS are payable to AHS, so there is a delay in payment disbursement.

Prescribers have full control over billing decisions and effort taken to collect payments.

All self-pay patients are billed by AHS and decisions about payment collection are according to AHS Finance policy.
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2024-09-06

Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 56: Register for Personalization Training

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • Confirm REGISTRATION for PERSONALIZATION
Successful personalization of the Connect Care clinical information system has a big impact on prescriber success at launch. It is very important to take advantage of personalization workshops pre-launch. Among other things, these introduce many tips that make Connect Care use both efficient and enjoyable.

Personalization training begins September 26. Make sure that you are already registered or take advantage of self-registration via MyLearningLink (supported on a first-come-first-scheduled basis).

Personalization objectives, prerequisites and preparation are all described in the Connect Care Manual.
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2024-09-04

Connect Care Transparent Lockdown - September 6, 2024 13:00-04:30 September 12, 2024

Connect Care anticipates an upgrade and scheduled downtime in the early hours of September 12, 2024 (post with details important for prescribers to come). Connect Care uses a "transparent lockdown" process during upgrades to help prepare the system and reduce the upgrade workload, resulting in a shortened downtime window. The transparent lockdown period for the upcoming upgrade is from Friday, September 6, 2024 at 13:00 to Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 04:30.  

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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Countdown Checklist L9, T-minus 58: Plan Meeting Adjustments

Continuing a list of essential actions for Connect Care Launch 9 prescribers readying for launch November 2, 2024...
  • Adjust Meeting Schedules in your Clinical Area
A prior item encouraged advance planning for clinical service impacts at the time of Connect Care launch. Similar planning is needed to adjust clinical business and other meetings to fit with launch needs.

Many Connect Care launch-related meetings fill the weeks just before and after launch. Some of these are prescriber-focused, including daily meetings to capture emerging issues, assign resources and review remedies. There are lots of opportunities for prescribers to have input.

Given inevitable launch demands, it is recommended that all non-essential other meetings be deferred to protect the week before and at least 3 weeks after the launch date.

This is a good time to look ahead at meeting schedules for October 28–November 28 and identify sessions that could be cancelled or rescheduled.
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