“MyLearningLink” (mylearninglink.ahs.ca, or “MLL”) is Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) online learning management platform. It is used to deliver courses offered to all AHS stakeholders in all areas. It is also used to facilitate the registration, scheduling, delivery, completion tracking and assessments for Connect Care training. Users can find, access and complete any self-directed e-learning courses or assessments that can be completed online. MyLearningLink is important to Connect Care.
Unfortunately, until recently, the MLL environment focused on continuing education needs of AHS staff working in AHS facilities on AHS-provisioned systems. Courses are approved for Internet Explorer (IE, version 11) running under Windows 7 on AHS desktop computers. But Connect Care users need to train at non-AHS locations on non-AHS computers.
Fortunately, MLL has recently been upgraded to work on networks both inside and outside of the AHS “intranet”. Testing and support for users of Apple operating systems is coming. For now, physician informaticians need to be ready to help clinician-colleagues who are not primarily Windows users.
We have prepared a tip giving interim advice for clinicians who may have difficulty replicating the standard AHS computer set-up. Please try this out and send any feedback or additional suggestions to mip@ahs.ca. We particularly need physician testers who use Macintosh computers. When in MLL, search for courses with "Epic" in the name and try any example that appears.
2019-06-30
2019-06-29
Connect Care Training and Physician Compensation
Physician training emails and scheduling surveys have gone out to almost 2,000 physicians touched by the Wave 1 Connect Care launch. This makes training and competency requirements real and immediate.
Connect Care clinical informaticians may be drawn into more conversations about why physicians do not receive financial compensation for time spent on training activities. It is important that we understand and consistently message the rationale for Connect Care's physician resourcing strategy. Please skim the linked documents (some updated this week) and feel free to share questions, reflections and suggestions.
Connect Care clinical informaticians may be drawn into more conversations about why physicians do not receive financial compensation for time spent on training activities. It is important that we understand and consistently message the rationale for Connect Care's physician resourcing strategy. Please skim the linked documents (some updated this week) and feel free to share questions, reflections and suggestions.
2019-06-28
Honest Conversations - Please Contribute
Many among the Connect Care clinician user community are worried about harms associated with digital health records; this on top of general anxiety about upcoming transitions.
We have started a "Honest Conversations" series in the general-interest blog at bytes.connect-care.ca. It would be great if members of our medical informatics community could help by suggesting topics, helping to craft short messages and, especially, adding comments to published postings. These could encourage others to also share reflections and so promote "conversation".
We have started a "Honest Conversations" series in the general-interest blog at bytes.connect-care.ca. It would be great if members of our medical informatics community could help by suggesting topics, helping to craft short messages and, especially, adding comments to published postings. These could encourage others to also share reflections and so promote "conversation".
2019-06-27
InfoCare - Physician Assessment Required
Privacy awareness is essential to good clinicianship. We all need training, with periodic reinforcement. Our digital world presents ever-changing threats to information security, making it hard to know when we may unintentionally weaken the privacy protections our patients expect. Breaches harm patients, and can be devastating for clinicians.
On the eve of Connect Care implementation, Alberta Health Services has overhauled its universal privacy awareness training. A new online elearning module, called "InfoCare - on our Best Behaviors" is now available on MyLearningLink.ahs.ca (MLL). Although this training is required of all physicians prior to gaining access to Connect Care, the immediate "soft launch" gives opportunity for physician leaders to test for problems and report to the CMIO portfolio so it can collate issues.
It is especially important that physician informaticians assess InfoCare before it is announced for all physicians. MLL is most commonly used on AHS computers in AHS facilities. However, physicians are more likely to complete the course on personal devices outside AHS facilities.
The MLL user guides do not offer much help for non-Windows browsers or for users of Apple computers. Accordingly, the CMIO portfolio will consider feedback and prepare tips specifically for the physician community.
On the eve of Connect Care implementation, Alberta Health Services has overhauled its universal privacy awareness training. A new online elearning module, called "InfoCare - on our Best Behaviors" is now available on MyLearningLink.ahs.ca (MLL). Although this training is required of all physicians prior to gaining access to Connect Care, the immediate "soft launch" gives opportunity for physician leaders to test for problems and report to the CMIO portfolio so it can collate issues.
It is especially important that physician informaticians assess InfoCare before it is announced for all physicians. MLL is most commonly used on AHS computers in AHS facilities. However, physicians are more likely to complete the course on personal devices outside AHS facilities.
The MLL user guides do not offer much help for non-Windows browsers or for users of Apple computers. Accordingly, the CMIO portfolio will consider feedback and prepare tips specifically for the physician community.
- Go to MyLearningLink.ahs.ca (we recommend the Chrome Internet browser for those who do not have access to Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 or 10).
- Sign on with your usual AHS credentials
- Search the Course Catalogue for courses containing the word "InfoCare"
- Register for and complete the course online
- Verify that your confidentiality and user agreement is accepted and the course is marked as complete.
- Send any error reports or other feedback to mip@ahs.ca (medical informatics program)
2019-06-26
Clinical System Design - The Road Ahead
It seems the only reward for successful clinical system design (CSD) is more and more work! It is true that we have a lot left to get done before Connect Care clinical content ready for front line use. Impending tasks can be less overwhelming if we have clear line-of-sight to appreciate what's coming when.
We hear that Connect Care Area Councils seek a better understanding of how diverse CSD activities play out over time. They also need a better sense of other launch readiness activities may compete for attention and resources. Accordingly, we've prepared two timelines summarizing how key activities sequence from now until post Wave 1 launch. The first infographic focuses on matters of accountability and the second on matters of awareness:
We hear that Connect Care Area Councils seek a better understanding of how diverse CSD activities play out over time. They also need a better sense of other launch readiness activities may compete for attention and resources. Accordingly, we've prepared two timelines summarizing how key activities sequence from now until post Wave 1 launch. The first infographic focuses on matters of accountability and the second on matters of awareness:
2019-06-25
Connect Care Implementation Timeline Updates
General information about Connect Care implementation timeline tweaks has been posted to our general interest blog. Physician informatics leads may appreciate additional details, especially those affecting zone launch plans:
2019-06-24
Launch Readiness Assessment 120 - Tomorrow
We've previously described Launch Readiness Assessments (LRA) and the importance of this readiness checkpoint.
LRA-120 occurs tomorrow. Medical leads and informaticians are encouraged to consider tapping into relevant parts of this overview.
LRA-120 occurs tomorrow. Medical leads and informaticians are encouraged to consider tapping into relevant parts of this overview.
2019-06-23
SBX now the Preferred Validation Environment
Medical Informatics Leads, Knowledge Leads and other clinical informaticians play important roles facilitating clinical content validation sessions. These ramp up right now.
Many have access to Proof of Concept (POC), Playground (PLY) and Demonstration (DMO) hyperspace environments. These differ by when they are updated and what information persists from refresh to refresh.
A new environment is available to all clinical informaticians. "Sandbox" (SBX) is the preferred hyperspace instance to use when preparing content validation activities. All MILs, KLs, Builders and clinical informaticians should use their usual access credentials (username, password).
Please follow these instructions to confirm that access and shift validation preparation work from POC and PLY.
Many have access to Proof of Concept (POC), Playground (PLY) and Demonstration (DMO) hyperspace environments. These differ by when they are updated and what information persists from refresh to refresh.
A new environment is available to all clinical informaticians. "Sandbox" (SBX) is the preferred hyperspace instance to use when preparing content validation activities. All MILs, KLs, Builders and clinical informaticians should use their usual access credentials (username, password).
Please follow these instructions to confirm that access and shift validation preparation work from POC and PLY.
- Logon through Connect Care unified access to your list of available applications:
- Intranet (AHS Restrict): ahs-cis.ca/cisinternal
- Extranet (anywhere else): ahs-cis.ca/cisexternal
- Add SBX to your favourites:
- Find the "Apps" banner link and click on it.
- Seek the "SBX" application and click on "Details".
- Select the button for making SBX a favourite.
- Go to the Favourites banner items, select it, then launch the SBX environment and logon with your usual user name and password.
2019-06-22
eLearning: Super User Overview
Connect Care clinical informaticians, including physician leads, medical informatics leads, knowledge leads, power users and builders need to understand how Super Users will contribute to training, implementation and optimization. Indeed, many informaticians will take on Super User roles themselves. Even those without an explicit Super User assignment can benefit from exposure to the coaching and mentoring skills learned by Super Users as we prepare for the stresses of first launch.
An eLearning course entitled "Super User Preparation" is now available on MyLearningLink. This should take no more than 30 minutes for a Connect-Care-aware clinical to review. A perusal is strongly recommended.
The self-directed learning is available to all. It includes useful Epic modules with practical tips for dealing with new users during and after training. Different phenotypes (enthusiastic, apathetic, grumpy, difficult, etc.) are explored.
The course is complementary, not compulsory. You can send feedback to ConnectCareSuperUser@ahs.ca.
An eLearning course entitled "Super User Preparation" is now available on MyLearningLink. This should take no more than 30 minutes for a Connect-Care-aware clinical to review. A perusal is strongly recommended.
The self-directed learning is available to all. It includes useful Epic modules with practical tips for dealing with new users during and after training. Different phenotypes (enthusiastic, apathetic, grumpy, difficult, etc.) are explored.
The course is complementary, not compulsory. You can send feedback to ConnectCareSuperUser@ahs.ca.
2019-06-21
Clinical System Design Solstice Success!
Happy midsummer solstice!
Although we all wish to enjoy long summer days outside, our teams clearly have been working long hours on Clinical System Design. We are thrilled to have achieved design of all the Order Sets targeted for Wave 1 Launch in November 2019. Design efforts continue, turning to Order Sets slated for later waves.
Designed Order Sets still need to be built, then carefully validated, before they are ready for Connect Care user training, personalization workshops and adoption for launch. Here too the progress is encouraging. Weekly build rates have picked up, very close to targets. Clinical validation has begun, anticipating increased validation rates as Area Councils and Specialty Workgroups tackle this work.
Thanks to all for rising to the challenge in midsummer!
Although we all wish to enjoy long summer days outside, our teams clearly have been working long hours on Clinical System Design. We are thrilled to have achieved design of all the Order Sets targeted for Wave 1 Launch in November 2019. Design efforts continue, turning to Order Sets slated for later waves.
Designed Order Sets still need to be built, then carefully validated, before they are ready for Connect Care user training, personalization workshops and adoption for launch. Here too the progress is encouraging. Weekly build rates have picked up, very close to targets. Clinical validation has begun, anticipating increased validation rates as Area Councils and Specialty Workgroups tackle this work.
Thanks to all for rising to the challenge in midsummer!
2019-06-20
What's happening with privacy awareness training?
Medical Informatics Leads (MIL), Provincial Physician Trainers, Physician Area Trainers and Super Users will all be aware of opportunities to preview, review and help with the e-learning modules contributing to upcoming Connect Care physician training tracks.
We hope to emulate the full training experience. A key component involves mandated completion of basic privacy awareness training, then attesting to an online "Confidentiality and User Agreement" (CUA), as a condition for gaining access to Connect Care online training environments. The attestation must be satisfied before the user can complete an "End User Proficiency Assessment", required to progress from Basic to Personalization training.
It was expected that all physician leads would be able to complete privacy awareness training through "InfoCare - On our Best Behaviors" by this time. However, the e-learning module has suffered technical challenges in early exposures. This mostly relates to embedded audio and video, which has since been trimmed. In addition, more testing is needed to prepare clear instructions for physicians participating in e-learning outside of AHS networks. The CMIO is helping to render tip-sheets attuned to the circumstances of users of non-Windows devices and internet browsers.
We now expect InfoCare availability sometime next week, before the end of June. You can access and complete the course through MyLearningLink.ahs.ca. List available courses, use "InfoCare" as a search term, and self-register.
We would be most grateful if all physician informaticians could try InfoCare as soon as it becomes available. Please send feedback to mip@ahs.ca and we will collate physician comments, technical problems and work-arounds.
We hope to emulate the full training experience. A key component involves mandated completion of basic privacy awareness training, then attesting to an online "Confidentiality and User Agreement" (CUA), as a condition for gaining access to Connect Care online training environments. The attestation must be satisfied before the user can complete an "End User Proficiency Assessment", required to progress from Basic to Personalization training.
It was expected that all physician leads would be able to complete privacy awareness training through "InfoCare - On our Best Behaviors" by this time. However, the e-learning module has suffered technical challenges in early exposures. This mostly relates to embedded audio and video, which has since been trimmed. In addition, more testing is needed to prepare clear instructions for physicians participating in e-learning outside of AHS networks. The CMIO is helping to render tip-sheets attuned to the circumstances of users of non-Windows devices and internet browsers.
We now expect InfoCare availability sometime next week, before the end of June. You can access and complete the course through MyLearningLink.ahs.ca. List available courses, use "InfoCare" as a search term, and self-register.
We would be most grateful if all physician informaticians could try InfoCare as soon as it becomes available. Please send feedback to mip@ahs.ca and we will collate physician comments, technical problems and work-arounds.
2019-06-19
Understanding Implementation Activities
This is a busy time! While we have done well to design the clinical content to be used at Wave 1 launch, there are growing demands for stakeholder contributions to the testing and validation of that content. In parallel, demand grows for physician participation in a wide range of launch readiness activities.
We've already heard about Launch Readiness Assessments and Workflow Walkthroughs. In addition, implementation stream activities include a number of other practical tasks. Watch for more information about the following:
We've already heard about Launch Readiness Assessments and Workflow Walkthroughs. In addition, implementation stream activities include a number of other practical tasks. Watch for more information about the following:
- Launch Readiness assessments: Structured comprehensive reviews of each Connect Care project stream, identifying risks and mitigation plans. These occur at 150, 129, 90, 60, and 30 days pre-launch.
- Shadow Charting: Relevant to a limited number of complex or high-risk workflows and applications, users document cases in both legacy and Connect Care environments, providing an invaluable opportunity to check devices, interfaces, multi-disciplinary workflows, and information flows.
- Appointment conversion: The conversion of appointments, referrals, cases, and waitlists from legacy systems into Connect Care.
- Abstraction: Patient information not converted may be manually entered into outpatient charts ahead of launch.
- Cutover: Key information and orders for admitted patients is entered into Connect Care in the 24-48 hours prior to launch. Cutover includes both technical and clinical elements.
- Protocol Conversion: Many complex or timed protocols, primarily in Oncology and Research, will be converted for continuation in Connect Care.
- Command Centre: Safe and well-coordinated surveillance, leadership and trouble-shooting support rapid, efficient and responsive issues detection and resolution while deploying assets like Super Users to areas of greatest need.
2019-06-18
Just-in-time Communications
We’ve all been feeling the summer heat… more Connect Care intensity than nice weather!
As validation, training, readiness and implementation activities accelerate, clear communication can minimize chaos and confusion. There are way too many newsletters, SharePoint sites and Insite pages, agendas and minutes to follow.
We are redoubling efforts to maintain a steady, but concise, feed of clinical content updates through blogging channels. All channels are listed in ahs-cis.ca/mdresources.
All physicians interested in Connect Care should subscribe to the general-interest physician blog (bytes.connect-care.ca). Any clinician involved in Connect Care design, validation, training or readiness activities should follow the blog for informaticians (informatics.connect-care.ca). Those directly involved in clinical content validation should also follow the internal Clinical System Design blog (csd.connect-care.ca).
Please skim our blog tips for instructions about how to subscribe. This way you can get digests to your email and not worry about visiting the sites.
Thanks for attending to this advice. We’ll keep the blogs going and rely upon the communications team to use them as source material for more formal Connect Care communications.
2019-06-14
Complex Workflow Walkthroughs
With the Connect Care Wave 1 launch (November 3, 2019) getting closer, there are more opportunities to view and validate the emerging clinical information system. We can see and influence how information tools will affect and be affected by our work and workplace.
"Workflow Walkthroughs" allow street-smart clinicians to review exactly how Connect Care can support complex clinical activities. A Walkthrough event includes detailed demonstration of one or more high-risk, high-complexity, multidisciplinary or high-volume workflows. Patient journey videos are interspersed with feedback and discussion opportunities. The goal is to discover what more we need to do to get the system attuned to our biggest challenges.
The first Walkthrough event will be held June 26, 2019, at the Bernard Snell auditorium in the Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre (Edmonton) with options for telehealth remote access. Workflow Walkthrough videos will also be made available on Insite (details to come). The first Walkthrough will be most relevant to Wave 1 and 3 clinicians.
Although all interested physicians are encouraged to contribute, it is particularly important for physician leads and medical informatics leads to consider in-person or telehealth attendance.
The Walkthrough event spans an entire workday, clearly impractical for physician schedules. However, only some parts will pertain, given the clinical area focus of medical informatics leads. Please take a look at the tentative agenda (updates to come in future postings) and consider whether any of the 45 minute blocks offer an important feedback opportunity.
The CMIO portfolio is very keen to hear feedback about the event, with input collated through mip@ahs.ca.
"Workflow Walkthroughs" allow street-smart clinicians to review exactly how Connect Care can support complex clinical activities. A Walkthrough event includes detailed demonstration of one or more high-risk, high-complexity, multidisciplinary or high-volume workflows. Patient journey videos are interspersed with feedback and discussion opportunities. The goal is to discover what more we need to do to get the system attuned to our biggest challenges.
The first Walkthrough event will be held June 26, 2019, at the Bernard Snell auditorium in the Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre (Edmonton) with options for telehealth remote access. Workflow Walkthrough videos will also be made available on Insite (details to come). The first Walkthrough will be most relevant to Wave 1 and 3 clinicians.
Although all interested physicians are encouraged to contribute, it is particularly important for physician leads and medical informatics leads to consider in-person or telehealth attendance.
The Walkthrough event spans an entire workday, clearly impractical for physician schedules. However, only some parts will pertain, given the clinical area focus of medical informatics leads. Please take a look at the tentative agenda (updates to come in future postings) and consider whether any of the 45 minute blocks offer an important feedback opportunity.
The CMIO portfolio is very keen to hear feedback about the event, with input collated through mip@ahs.ca.
2019-06-13
Did you notice?
If you did... way too OCD!
Our Connect Care Wave 1 launch countdown timer (top of left column) just gained a day.
After extensive consideration, the Connect Care Provincial Program Office has decided that the original Wave 1 Launch date of November 2, 2019 will move to November 3, 2019 at 0400.
The original date fell on the same day as the switch from Day Light Savings Time (DST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST). By launching on November 3, after the time change, the activation of Connect Care order entry, documentation and other functions will be more straightforward.
Our Connect Care Wave 1 launch countdown timer (top of left column) just gained a day.
After extensive consideration, the Connect Care Provincial Program Office has decided that the original Wave 1 Launch date of November 2, 2019 will move to November 3, 2019 at 0400.
The original date fell on the same day as the switch from Day Light Savings Time (DST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST). By launching on November 3, after the time change, the activation of Connect Care order entry, documentation and other functions will be more straightforward.
2019-06-05
eLearning: Introduction to Epic in Connect Care
Medical informatics leads, clinical knowledge leads and other clinical informaticians may be interested in a new self-directed e-learning opportunity on MyLearningLink (mylearninglink.ahs.ca).
"IT Introduction to Epic on the AHS Platform" provides an overview of the Connect Care initiative through an information technology lens. We know that Epic Systems software serves as the core integration engine for the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS). But some of us may still struggle with constructs for how Epic relates to CIS functions, Connect Care offerings, and other information systems that, together with Epic, comprise the CIS.
The introductory curriculum describes integrative requirements and why Epic was chosen to address them. The different modules of Epic technology are defined and described. How modules support continuum of care functions is explained. Clinicians who have already completed the physician introduction, Power User or Builder courses may have covered much of the content. Still, it is useful to review the purpose and acronyms associated with the Connect Care Epic infostructure.
Anyone can self-register. Completing the curriculum can take as long as an hour. Go to MyLearningLink and search for courses with "Connect Care" in the title.
"IT Introduction to Epic on the AHS Platform" provides an overview of the Connect Care initiative through an information technology lens. We know that Epic Systems software serves as the core integration engine for the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS). But some of us may still struggle with constructs for how Epic relates to CIS functions, Connect Care offerings, and other information systems that, together with Epic, comprise the CIS.
The introductory curriculum describes integrative requirements and why Epic was chosen to address them. The different modules of Epic technology are defined and described. How modules support continuum of care functions is explained. Clinicians who have already completed the physician introduction, Power User or Builder courses may have covered much of the content. Still, it is useful to review the purpose and acronyms associated with the Connect Care Epic infostructure.
Anyone can self-register. Completing the curriculum can take as long as an hour. Go to MyLearningLink and search for courses with "Connect Care" in the title.
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