July 29, 2021
In the Know with Your CMIO
For a moment, it felt like we were getting closer to the finish line of our COVID-19 marathon, and now it seems like the finish line is out of sight. On top of a global pandemic, there are a variety of forces that can lead health care providers to feel busy, overtasked and frankly, overwhelmed. To help us stay ahead of these challenges, Houston Methodist continues to focus heavily on ways to improve your clinical workflow efficiencies while maintaining patient safety.
Since we went live with Epic over five years ago, we’ve continued to improve our delivery on changes that impact you, including our Epic Update processes. We’ve reduced the frequency of our Epic Updates — now twice a year instead of four — and with each Update, we’ve enhanced our Update Companions and made the review process easier.
Our next Epic Update is Aug. 15. I encourage you to review your role-specific Companion and discover the exciting new features and enhancements geared to improve your Epic experience and help you be more efficient. To streamline the review process, at the top of each Companion, we’ve listed the most important changes for your role. Simply click the link to go directly to the summary for that change. Be sure to also review the Epic mobile Companion and find out how you can accomplish more using Epic mobile tools. Accessing your Update Companion is even easier — you can click one of the links in the article below or hit F1 while logged into Epic.
I want you to know that I appreciate each of you and your continued resilience through this marathon. We’ll continue identifying and leveraging technologies to help make you more efficient, so you can continue focusing on providing safe, patient-centered care.
Dr. Nicholas Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
In This Issue
All Providers
- Epic Update Companions Now Available
- Haiku/Canto Update Required Before Aug. 15 Epic Update
- Some Epic Functionality Unavailable from Aug. 11 – Aug. 15
- Epic Downtime, Sunday, Aug. 15
- New Resident E-Rx Controlled Medication Guidelines
HMSL and HMWB Providers
- Tube Feeding and Free Water Order Changes
- COVID-19 Order Set Changes
- New COVID-19 Vaccine Series Completed Column in Patient List
- Interpreter Used Question Added to DNR and Modified Code Orders
- Clinitron Bed Order Replaced
- New Imaging Platform Integrating with Epic
- HMSJ Changing to HMB in Epic
Inpatient Obstetricians
- GE CPN/CPN Connect Passwords Changing
Epic Update
For All Providers
Aug. 15 Epic Update Companions Now Available
Sunday, Aug. 15, is the next Epic Update, showcasing useful new features, including:
- Enhanced documentation and improved efficiency tools.
- New, improved Haiku/Canto functionalities.
- Efficient new Storyboard features.
- Improved Care Everywhere usability.
- Secure Chat enhancements.
To prepare, be sure to review your Update Companion. There are two easy ways to access:
- Click the applicable links below.
- Log in to Epic, and press F1 to go to the Epic Learning Home.
Remember:
- You don’t have to acknowledge your Companion — there’s no longer a required acknowledgment button.
- The most important changes for your role are highlighted at the top of each Companion. Simply click the top change’s link to go directly to the summary for that change.
Update Companion links by role:
For All Providers
Haiku/Canto Update Required Before Aug. 15 Epic Update
If you’re not using Haiku/Canto 9.7 or later, you’ll receive this pop-up message when logging in. If you receive this message, be sure to update to the new version as soon as conveniently possible and/or before Sunday, Aug. 15 to continue access.
For instructions, read the Update Haiku/Canto to the Latest Version tip sheet.
For All Providers
Some Epic Functionality Unavailable
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 5 a.m. – Sunday, Aug. 15, 3:30 a.m.
Some Epic functions will be unavailable, and no changes or enhancements will be made from Wednesday, Aug. 11 at
5 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 15 at 3:30 a.m.
You’ll still be able to work in Epic as usual, but you won't be able to do the following:
- Apply filters in Chart Review.
- Create, edit and share NoteWriter macros, SmartPhrases and SmartLinks.
- Create and edit In Basket QuickActions.
For All Providers
Epic Downtime
Sunday, Aug. 15, 2 – 3:30 a.m.
To prepare for the Update, Epic will experience a planned downtime on Sunday, Aug. 15. from 2 – 3:30 a.m.
During this downtime:
- Access Epic Read-Only.
- Data in Epic Read-Only is current until the downtime begins.
- You can’t document or place orders in Epic Read-Only.
For detailed information, review the Planned Downtime Instructions.
Good to Know
For All Inpatient Obstetricians
GE CPN/CPN Connect Passwords Changing
Effective Monday, Aug. 2
On Monday, Aug. 2, passwords for GE CPN and associated applications are being updated to align with your Epic/Windows passwords. This will help improve security and ID/password consistency.
- Starting Aug. 2, you’ll use your Epic/Windows login password for your GE CPN/CPN Connect password.
- After the Aug. 2 update, your prior CPN password won’t work.
- Airstrip won’t be impacted – continue using your current HM login/password for Airstrip, per usual.
For All Physicians, Residents and APPs
New Resident E-Prescribe Controlled
Medications Guidelines
Effective Monday, Aug. 9
Starting Monday, Aug. 9, residents with e-prescribing capabilities can now
e-prescribe controlled medications using SecureAuth. This applies to:
- Inpatient discharge medications and outpatient medication orders placed in clinic.
- Schedule III – V.
- Schedule II with cosign.
For more information on e-prescribing using SecureAuth or instructions on signing up, review the tip sheet, or visit the E-Rx Controlled Substances website.
If you have any issues with sign up or access, contact the IT Physicians Help Desk, 832.667.5555.
COVID-19
For All Inpatient Ordering Providers
New COVID-19 Order Set Changes
Isolation orders in COVID-19 Order Sets have been changed to meet new OSHA standards. Now, only the isolations required for the patient (Airborne and Contact Isolations) will display for the ordering provider.
- If the patient already has the required isolations, isolation orders won’t display.
- If the patient doesn’t have both required isolations and both are needed, all isolation orders will display.
- If the patient is missing one of the required isolations, the missing isolation order will display.
For examples with screenshots, read the full article.
For All Providers
New COVID-19 Vaccine Series Completed Column
in Patient List
There’s a new COVID Vaccine Series Completed column available for Patient List to help you quickly identify if a patient has completed their COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days prior or more. Note: A completed series means two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- To access, search for the column when in Properties of your Patient List.
- The column on the right will display.
- Green: Patient has completed their COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days prior.
- Red: Patient hasn’t completed their COVID-19 vaccine series within the last 14 days.
Key Updates
For All Providers
Interpreter Used Question Added to DNR and
Modified Code Orders
When a patient’s chart is marked as needing an interpreter, DNR and Modified Code orders now include a question to confirm whether an interpreter was used.
For All Providers
Clinitron Bed Order Replaced with Air Fluidized
Therapy Bed Order
Effective Today
Starting today, the Clinitron bed order will be replaced with the Air Fluidized Therapy Bed order in Epic. This will help standardize terminology and reflect our current, available hospital support surfaces.
For All HMSL and HMWB Providers
Tube Feeding and Free Water Order Changes
HMWB: Effective Tuesday, Aug. 3
HMSL: Effective Tuesday, Aug. 10
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 3, at HMWB and Tuesday, Aug. 10 at HMSL, Tube Feeding and Free Water orders will change to support the EntrafloH2O feeding pump.
For examples, including screenshots, click here.
For All Providers Using LifeImage
New Imaging Platform Integrating with Epic
Effective Tuesday, Aug. 3
LMS Training Now Available
On Tuesday, Aug. 3, Houston Methodist’s cardiology and radiology imaging library service will change to Ambra Imaging, a cloud-based image management system that integrates with Epic. With Ambra, you can:
- Quickly upload images from patient CDs, external imaging services and non-Houston Methodist providers.
- Easily share images electronically with referring providers through the Ambra gateway.
Training has been assigned to current LifeImage users via LMS.
Note: Ambra will eventually replace LifeImage.
For All Providers
HMSJ Changing to HMB in Epic
Effective Sunday, Aug. 15
On Sunday, Aug. 15, all HMSJ department references will change to HMB in Epic, aligning with the official hospital name.
Note: The new acronym will now have a higher position on alphabetized lists.
Reminders
For All Providers
COVID-19 Qualitative PCR Name Change
For All Providers
New DVT Risk Tool Option
For All Cardiologists
New Cardiac Cath Lab Order Sets
For All Providers
Electronic Prior Authorization Pilot Expands
HMSL and Remaining HMWB Inpatient Units
Ways to Reach IT
IT Physician Help Desk:
- 832.667.5555
- Press 1 for Epic/clinical workflows.
- Press 2 for all other issues, such as computer/printer and non-clinical applications.
- helpdesk@houstonmethodist.org
Houston Methodist IT Website for Physicians:
