Clinicians work as a team. Connect Care both increases and leverages our interdependence. There will be many opportunities for the professions to help one another by reducing duplicative documentation, improving handover, coordinating communications and keeping all aligned with patient goals.
While Bytes blog has a prescriber (physicians, medical trainees, pharmacists, clinician assistants, nurse practitioners, etc.) focus, our interests often overlap those of non-prescribers. A basic awareness of colleague's Connect Care efforts is important.
The clinical operations team maintains an excellent "2 Minute Update" approximately weekly. This summarizes key happenings and priorities for non-prescriber colleagues; lots relevant to prescribers.
2019-07-29
2019-07-26
Reporting Interface Problems
Validation activities involve demonstration of Connect Care functions, with significant clinical content problems are reported as “Issues” in the Connect Care Tracker.
Validation activities also uncover a wide range of lesser problems. Bugs (overt failure or unintended action when a function is activated or workflow tried) and design flaws (misspelling, screen layout, inconsistent labels, poorly organized pick-lists, etc.) should not be reported through the Tracker. CIS build teams use a different product (“Sherlock”) for recording and tracking resolution of user-interface problems.
Clinicians participating in validation, training and other CIS exposures need a quick way to report concerns that builders can manage with the right systems. For now, the following email address should be used to report bugs and minor interface problems:
Problem reports will achieve better results if a simple standard is used to format the email subject line, as explained in a tip:
Validation activities also uncover a wide range of lesser problems. Bugs (overt failure or unintended action when a function is activated or workflow tried) and design flaws (misspelling, screen layout, inconsistent labels, poorly organized pick-lists, etc.) should not be reported through the Tracker. CIS build teams use a different product (“Sherlock”) for recording and tracking resolution of user-interface problems.
Clinicians participating in validation, training and other CIS exposures need a quick way to report concerns that builders can manage with the right systems. For now, the following email address should be used to report bugs and minor interface problems:
Problem reports will achieve better results if a simple standard is used to format the email subject line, as explained in a tip:
2019-07-25
Unified Access Portal moves to Production
The "Unified Access Portal" (UAP) provides physicians with the access they need to Connect Care environments (e.g., HyperSpace, Link) and other Alberta Health Services (AHS) information resources. As a single gateway, it will become a common-denominator experience for clinicians working with desktop or laptop/notebook computing devices.
Versions of the UAP have been deployed to physician volunteers for over a year in support of user acceptance testing (UAT). As of today, UAP has moved to the "production" server infrastructure to be used for Connect Care launch.
Connect Care physician leaders, including medical informatics leads, should confirm that they shift use to the production UAP. Please change from "uat-myapps.ahs.ca" to simply "myapps.ahs.ca".
We continue to provide physicians with simple and stable internet address shortcuts. These are re-mapped and continue to work by directing to the correct UAP site:
Versions of the UAP have been deployed to physician volunteers for over a year in support of user acceptance testing (UAT). As of today, UAP has moved to the "production" server infrastructure to be used for Connect Care launch.
Connect Care physician leaders, including medical informatics leads, should confirm that they shift use to the production UAP. Please change from "uat-myapps.ahs.ca" to simply "myapps.ahs.ca".
We continue to provide physicians with simple and stable internet address shortcuts. These are re-mapped and continue to work by directing to the correct UAP site:
- UAP access from outside AHS Intranet: ahs-cis.ca/cisexternal
- UAP access from inside AHS Intranet: ahs-cis.ca/cisinternal
- Tip: Accessing CIS Environments
2019-07-23
Emergency Workflow Walkthrough Demo Available
Medical Informatics Leads (MILs) increasingly are called upon for just-in-time demonstrations of the emerging Connect Care clinical information system (CIS).
Development of demo skills is helped by seeing systematic explorations of CIS modules, showing how different disciplines use different views to work with the same system and record. We've previously posted about the first large Walkthrough Event where our own Connect Care ecosystem got its first comprehensive viewing.
An Emergency Room workflow walkthrough is now available for viewing. Also linked are tips for informatics leads using Connect Care demonstration environments to help their colleagues see parts of the user experience most relevant to them.
Development of demo skills is helped by seeing systematic explorations of CIS modules, showing how different disciplines use different views to work with the same system and record. We've previously posted about the first large Walkthrough Event where our own Connect Care ecosystem got its first comprehensive viewing.
An Emergency Room workflow walkthrough is now available for viewing. Also linked are tips for informatics leads using Connect Care demonstration environments to help their colleagues see parts of the user experience most relevant to them.
- Tip: Accessing Connect Care Environments
- Demo: Emergency Room Walkthrough (18 min, primary site)
- Demo: Emergency Room Walkthrough (18 min, compressed version)
2019-07-22
Oncology Workflow Walkthrough Demo available
Medical Informatics Leads (MILs) increasingly are called upon for just-in-time demonstrations of the emerging Connect Care clinical information system (CIS). With first launch soon upon us, this is more than understandable.
Most MILs, ACMIOs, Physician Design Leads, Knowledge Leads, Trainers and Super Users have access to either "Sandbox" (SBX), "Demonstration" (DMO) or "Play" (PLY) hyperspace environments. See the tips below for updates about how to access these environments both from within and without the AHS intranet. Any work well for demonstrations.
Development of impromptu demo skills is helped by watching systematic "walkthroughs" of different CIS modules. A nicely done end-to-end Oncology workflow is available via the link below.
Most MILs, ACMIOs, Physician Design Leads, Knowledge Leads, Trainers and Super Users have access to either "Sandbox" (SBX), "Demonstration" (DMO) or "Play" (PLY) hyperspace environments. See the tips below for updates about how to access these environments both from within and without the AHS intranet. Any work well for demonstrations.
Development of impromptu demo skills is helped by watching systematic "walkthroughs" of different CIS modules. A nicely done end-to-end Oncology workflow is available via the link below.
- Tip: Accessing Connect Care Environments
- Demo: Oncology Workflow Walkthrough (15 min, primary)
- Demo: Oncology Workflow Walkthrough (15 min, compressed)
2019-07-21
Demonstrating Connect Care - Start with the Big Picture
Medical Informatics Leads (MILs) increasingly are called upon for just-in-time demonstrations of the emerging Connect Care clinical information system (CIS). With first launch soon upon us, this is more than understandable.
Development of demo skills is helped by getting the big picture; a walkthrough of a representative patient journey, end-to-end. We've previously posted about the first large Walkthrough Event where our own Connect Care ecosystem got its first comprehensive viewing. Check out the "End-to-End Patient Journey" demo to gain perspective on how different CIS modules integrate for a coherent patient experience.
Most MILs, ACMIOs, Physician Design Leads, Knowledge Leads, Trainers and Super Users have access to either "Sandbox" (SBX), "Demonstration" (DMO) or "Play" (PLY) hyperspace environments. See the tips below for updates about how to access these environments both from within and without the AHS intranet. Any work well for demonstrations.
Development of demo skills is helped by getting the big picture; a walkthrough of a representative patient journey, end-to-end. We've previously posted about the first large Walkthrough Event where our own Connect Care ecosystem got its first comprehensive viewing. Check out the "End-to-End Patient Journey" demo to gain perspective on how different CIS modules integrate for a coherent patient experience.
Most MILs, ACMIOs, Physician Design Leads, Knowledge Leads, Trainers and Super Users have access to either "Sandbox" (SBX), "Demonstration" (DMO) or "Play" (PLY) hyperspace environments. See the tips below for updates about how to access these environments both from within and without the AHS intranet. Any work well for demonstrations.
- Tip: Accessing Connect Care Environments
- Demo: End-to-End Patient Walkthrough (40 min, primary site)
- Demo: End-to-End Patient Walkthrough (40 min, compressed version)
2019-07-20
Readiness Thinking: Command Centre Participation
A "Command Centre" will be established to activate at a Wave launch and then remain responsive for 4-6 weeks post-launch. This virtual centre ensures that the right leaders and supports are in easy and continuous contact during the time of greatest transitional strain.
All affected by launch are represented in the Command Centre, with 24/7 responsiveness. Physicians leaders will be accountable to the physician population, as well as coordination needs related to other clinicians and stakeholders.
The CMIO portfolio has specific responsibility to ensure that daily physician huddles are organized and that empowered physician leaders are available for trouble-shooting. Preparation tasks include:
All affected by launch are represented in the Command Centre, with 24/7 responsiveness. Physicians leaders will be accountable to the physician population, as well as coordination needs related to other clinicians and stakeholders.
The CMIO portfolio has specific responsibility to ensure that daily physician huddles are organized and that empowered physician leaders are available for trouble-shooting. Preparation tasks include:
- Prepare for all relevant meeting schedule, agendas, and communication processes at launch for physicians.
- Prepare physician/ACMIO rounding processes during launch
- Schedule Physician resources for Command Center time period 24/7
- Assign rounding physician SuperUsers, MILs and ACMIOs
- Prepare for running and supporting daily physician huddle
- Prepare for peri-launch communication strategy
- Prepare for end-user forums, help and sharing strategy (and social media tools)
- Anticipate and work with physicians who may resist system adoption
- Anticipate and enforce no-training-to-access policy
- Continually promote personalization
Good to be thinking of these needs now. Anyone who would like to contribute to the leadership needs, please get in touch with cmio@ahs.ca
2019-07-19
Clinical Content Validation Guide Updated
Validation is about how clinical experts review, correct and approve clinical system design (CSD) and build of clinical content (documentation, decision and inquiry support) to ensure that it serves intended purpose, is free of significant safety risks and is compatible with acceptable workflows.
Our Clinical Content Validation Guide outlines consistent processes that should be applied to all CSD validation activities. Although different types of content may merit different reviews, the same accountability, coordination, facilitation, staging and tracking considerations apply. This guide deals with general approaches, while validation scripts, work packages and templates deal with specific content validation tasks.
The Guide is recently updated to better explain how to track validation outcomes. A new section describes how to report bugs or interface problems while we await deployment of an embedded problem reporting system.
All medical informatics leads, knowledge leads and other informaticians facilitating validation activities should review the updated guide:
Our Clinical Content Validation Guide outlines consistent processes that should be applied to all CSD validation activities. Although different types of content may merit different reviews, the same accountability, coordination, facilitation, staging and tracking considerations apply. This guide deals with general approaches, while validation scripts, work packages and templates deal with specific content validation tasks.
The Guide is recently updated to better explain how to track validation outcomes. A new section describes how to report bugs or interface problems while we await deployment of an embedded problem reporting system.
All medical informatics leads, knowledge leads and other informaticians facilitating validation activities should review the updated guide:
2019-07-18
Invitation to Participate in User Acceptance Testing - Connect Care to Netcare
In anticipation of Connect Care launch this fall, the Alberta Netcare Portal (Netcare) will be updated to ensure that:
- Laboratory and diagnostic imaging tests ordered and resulted in Connect Care will be viewable in Netcare
- Approved care summaries (e.g., discharge reports, consultation letters, some progress notes) generated in Connect Care are shared and viewable in Netcare
- Health care events (e.g., emergency visits, admissions) occurring where Connect Care is the record of care are included among events listed in Netcare
These functions will undergo robust technical testing, assuring completeness and accuracy. In addition, clinicians need to know that the right information is displayed in the right way in the right place.
We seek physician volunteers willing to participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) sometime between August 19 to 30, 2019. Testing involves following a script at a time and place convenient to the physician, with an expectation of about 30 minutes time investment. UAT participants are given clear instructions about how to access the testing system, suggested scenarios to guide testing, and means to record and report any issues encountered.
Physicians with interest or questions please contact:
2019-07-17
Using Connect Care Tracker Visualizations
The Connect Care Tracker (“Tracker”, ahs-cis.ca/tracker) is a collaborative workspace within the Alberta Health Services (AHS) SharePoint environment. It offers a single place to record, allocate and track the many decisions, issues and requests that may arise during Clinical System Design (CSD) of the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS). It is especially important now that CSD validation is underway.
As the number of tracked decisions grows (many thousands), stakeholders may value focused views highlighting decisions pertinent to specific clinical areas. Most Area Council and Specialty Workgroup collaborative workspaces (ahs-cis.ca/committees) have links to niche Tracker spaces.
A Connect Care Tracker summaries and visualizations dashboard (ahs-cis.ca/trackerviews) provides additional ways to see, at a glance, how CSD validation is progressing. Diagrammatic summarizations appear in a “Connect Care Tracker” workbook. Note that access requires a valid AHS username and password. The following Tip sheets can help physicians who wish to use and get overviews of the Tracker during validation activities.
As the number of tracked decisions grows (many thousands), stakeholders may value focused views highlighting decisions pertinent to specific clinical areas. Most Area Council and Specialty Workgroup collaborative workspaces (ahs-cis.ca/committees) have links to niche Tracker spaces.
A Connect Care Tracker summaries and visualizations dashboard (ahs-cis.ca/trackerviews) provides additional ways to see, at a glance, how CSD validation is progressing. Diagrammatic summarizations appear in a “Connect Care Tracker” workbook. Note that access requires a valid AHS username and password. The following Tip sheets can help physicians who wish to use and get overviews of the Tracker during validation activities.
2019-07-16
Feedback Requested: Connect Care Charting Etiquette Norms
Charting Etiquette is an important protective against note-bloat, chart clutter and poor signal-to-noise ratios in clinical documentation.
ACMIOs, Provincial Informatics Leads, Medical Informatics Leads and Clinical Knowledge Leads are asked to consider our newly roughed-in Connect Care Charting Etiquette Norms. Are these directionally correct for clinician-users of the Clinical Information System?
Please give a quick read using the link below. Related materials (Charting Principles, Minimum Use Norms, User Charter) have been updated to harmonize with Charting Etiquette and so are also linked below.
Please send any substantive suggestions or concerns using the comment box below, or via email to Debbie Pinter.
Lacking significant protest, we will work with communications experts to render an attractive Charting Etiquette brochure and provide this to clinicians as part of their training.
ACMIOs, Provincial Informatics Leads, Medical Informatics Leads and Clinical Knowledge Leads are asked to consider our newly roughed-in Connect Care Charting Etiquette Norms. Are these directionally correct for clinician-users of the Clinical Information System?
Please give a quick read using the link below. Related materials (Charting Principles, Minimum Use Norms, User Charter) have been updated to harmonize with Charting Etiquette and so are also linked below.
Please send any substantive suggestions or concerns using the comment box below, or via email to Debbie Pinter.
Lacking significant protest, we will work with communications experts to render an attractive Charting Etiquette brochure and provide this to clinicians as part of their training.
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2019-07-15
Using the Connect Care Tracker
The Connect Care Tracker has benefited from many recent improvements, including expansion to handle Clinical System Design (CSD) issues and requests. It continues to record and track design decisions.
These functions are essential for good CSD validation. As the results of design decisions are presented for validation, important feedback and correction advice should be recorded as edits and additions to the original CSD decision, as found in Tracker. Significant new challenges identified during validation discussions -- requiring resources for further characterization, analysis, problem-solving and oversight -- can be recorded as "Issues" to ensure that accountability is assigned and outcomes are tracked. Validation work may also trigger requests for entirely new functions or clinical content, which can be entered and tracked as "Requests".
We have updated Tracker Tips to reflect these enhancements:
These functions are essential for good CSD validation. As the results of design decisions are presented for validation, important feedback and correction advice should be recorded as edits and additions to the original CSD decision, as found in Tracker. Significant new challenges identified during validation discussions -- requiring resources for further characterization, analysis, problem-solving and oversight -- can be recorded as "Issues" to ensure that accountability is assigned and outcomes are tracked. Validation work may also trigger requests for entirely new functions or clinical content, which can be entered and tracked as "Requests".
We have updated Tracker Tips to reflect these enhancements:
2019-07-01
Workflow Walkthrough Videos Available
Workflow Walkthroughs occur before each wave of Connect Care implementation giving a tangible view of the CIS build can work with general as well as complex workflows.
Medical informatics leads may wish to skim recorded videos of Connect Care emergent build for a comprehensive patient experience and some focused ER workflows:
Medical informatics leads may wish to skim recorded videos of Connect Care emergent build for a comprehensive patient experience and some focused ER workflows:
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