Trending in ITMore Payment Options in MyChart New iCIMS Job Applicant Tracking New
Password Policy – Minimum of 10 Characters New Mapping Software at HM Kiosks
Security Matters
Launch Alerts- HMH OPC – System Maintenance, April 20
- HMH Specimen Scanning Launches Tuesday, May 4
Epic UpdatesResolved: Documenting Administration of Linked Medications New Note to Pharmacy Allows Insulin and Inhaler Prescription Interchange Newborn Naming Convention Changing COVID-19
Qualitative PCR [LAB3555] Order Changes
For Everyone
More Payment Options in MyChart
Effective NowPatients can now pay medical bills directly through MyChart through an enhancement by RevSpring. This offers customized payment options and allows patients to view payment history, prior statement information and provide feedback.
For Everyone
New iCIMS Job Applicant TrackingThe iCIMS new job applicant tracking system recently launched for employees seeking jobs at HM. Hiring managers systemwide will be able to use it in early June. iCIMS (pronounced EYE-sims) is the next step in enhancing our current “Know Me” strategy for recruiting new employees, helping HR connect with candidates at each step of the hiring process, from sourcing through onboarding and the first year of employment. Using one system for multiple critical functions, iCIMS allows a more personalized experience for a candidate applying to HM and streamlines work for those involved in the recruiting process. Instead of candidates navigating different platforms and touchpoints, iCIMS brings critical functions to one
centralized place for candidates, recruiters and hiring managers. HM job seekers should use the internal HM career site to apply for roles. Using this site helps ensure your application is processed efficiently. Once logged in, click View Current Opportunities and review open positions. Click here for more on the employee referral process.
To Everyone
New Password Policy – Minimum of 10 CharactersTo ensure we are meeting security standards, a new policy will require all employee passwords to be a minimum of 10 characters, instead of the current seven. Your password must not include any part of your name or HM username and must include three of the following: - At least one uppercase letter.
- At least one lowercase letter.
- At least one number (0 - 9).
- At least one special character, e.g., $,
!, @, #, etc.
You will see this reminder at your next password-reset prompt that takes place every 180 days.
For HMCCH and HMCL
New Mapping Software at HM KiosksOur systemwide rollout of new mapping software in navigation kiosks has continued successfully and we completed the update at HMCCH on Tuesday, April 13. This update will make it easier for our patients, visitors and volunteers to find their way around our hospitals. HMCL is expected to get the update to their kiosks in June.
For Everyone
Update Your Mobile Devices Keeping your mobile devices on the latest version available, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help prevent cyberattacks. Companies like Apple and Samsung continuously look for security vulnerabilities, also known as holes, in their software that might allow cybercriminals to exploit your personal information or infect your devices. These companies then patch the holes with device updates.
When you get an alert to update your device to the latest version, it is critical to do so as soon as possible. Also, if you're not on the latest version and you use your device to connect to HM, you could lose access to HM resources, including email, from your mobile device. How do I update my device? - Apple iOS Users: Go to Settings > General, then Software Update. Tap Download and Install. For more detailed instructions, visit support.apple.com.
- Android Users: Go to Settings and tap System, Advanced, System update. Your device will check for updates and you’ll be prompted to download files. For more detailed instructions, visit Samsung.com.
For HMH OPC
IT System Maintenance – Keep Your Devices On
Tuesday, April 20, 5 p.m. to Wednesday, April 21, 4 a.m.IT system maintenance will take place at HMH OPC from Tuesday, April 20, 5 p.m. to Wednesday, April 21, 4 a.m. To prepare, keep your systems and devices turned on and online, and save your work often during this time frame. Everyone will lose network connection to all business systems and medical devices for about three minutes during this time, but devices should reconnect automatically. If your devices don’t reconnect, please reboot. This interruption includes systems and devices like Vocera badges, Zebra smartphones with Rover, pneumatic tubes, air conditioning, MRIs, CTs, laptops,
WOWs, desktops, printers and more. For issues, contact the IT Help Desk.
For HMH Nurses, PCAs, Mental Health Techs, RTs, ED Phlebotomists and Lab Staff
HMH Specimen Scanning Launches Tuesday, May 4Specimen Scanning launches at HMH on Tuesday, May 4 for nurses, PCAs, mental health techs, respiratory therapists, ED phlebotomists and lab staff. This tool reduces the risk of specimen labeling errors, improving patient safety. Increased accuracy helps reduce lab processing turnaround times, so providers can make patient care decisions sooner than previously possible.
Required training deadline: Friday, April 30 - Required online training has been assigned to impacted nurses, PCAs, mental health techs, respiratory therapists, ED phlebotomists and lab staff (Epic Lab Specimen Collection & Barcode Scanning for Clinical Staff, course #1582031).
- Please complete this LMS training by Friday, April 30.
Road shows Road shows featuring a live demonstration will take place as outlined below. Stay tuned for more details coming soon. - Walter Tower: TBD
- Dunn Tower: April 20 – 22
- Main Tower: April 27 – 29
- Alkek/Jones/West Pavilion: April 27 – 29
For more information, visit it.houstonmethodist.org/specimenscanning.
For Inpatient Nurses, Clinicians and Providers
Resolved: Documenting Administration of Linked Medications
Effective ImmediatelyA known issue with documenting linked medications in the MAR has been resolved. Effective immediately, follow your standard workflow for documenting Given MAR activities for linked medications and any subsequent dose documentations for linked panels in Epic. Note: Use of the Given-Linked Med option under Action in the MAR is no longer needed. Current orders will retain the Given-Linked Med action until that order is discontinued. For questions or assistance, contact your local HM pharmacy or the IT Help Desk.
For All Providers and Pharmacy
New Note to Pharmacy Allows for Insulin and Inhaler Prescription Interchange
Effective Friday, April 16To avoid delays in patients getting insulin and inhaler prescriptions, due to discrepancies between the prescription and the preferred product on their insurance formulary, a new note is getting added to prescriptions sent to outpatient pharmacies. This addition allows them to interchange short and long-acting insulin and certain types of inhalers within the same class. The new note better equips outpatient pharmacies to make changes complying with a patient’s insurance requirement. Ex: Note to Pharmacy for long-acting insulin.
For All Providers, Registration, Lab and OB
Newborn Naming Convention Changing
Effective Monday, April 19To prevent errors and help easily identify newborns who are a part of multiple births, the naming convention for newborns will change as follows: Mother’s last name, followed by birth order, sex and mother’s first name. For example, if Mary Williams had twin boys their wristbands, registration, breastmilk and lab labels would read: - Williams, A Boy Mary
- Williams, B Boy Mary
This is a change from the current naming convention listing the mother’s last name, then first name followed by sex and birth order and prevents labels and armbands from cutting off identifiable information. Mothers/newborns who are currently hospitalized will not be impacted. This change applies only to newborns born on or after Monday, April 19.
For All Providers and Clinicians Placing Orders
COVID-19 Qualitative PCR [LAB3555] Order Changes
Effective 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 20 On Tuesday, April 20, 9 a.m., the COVID-19 Qualitative PCR [LAB3555] order will include six new Ask on Order Entry (AOE) questions when a COVID-19 test is ordered in Epic. This is due to a new CARES Act amendment requirement. To comply with this requirement without disrupting workflows, we’ve made the following changes: - AOE questions will only apply to orders placed for suspected/PUI – they do not apply to orders placed for pre-procedure or non-PUI
purposes.
- Responses to AOE questions are automatically populated for the order, based on patient criteria.
- You have the option to amend any automatically populated answers, as appropriate.
- AOE questions are as follows:
- Is the patient employed in healthcare with direct patient contact?
- Is the patient symptomatic for COVID-19 as defined by CDC?
- Is the patient hospitalized for COVID-19?
- Is the patient admitted to ICU for COVID-19?
- Is the patient a resident in a congregate (group) care setting?
- Is the patient pregnant?
Starting Tuesday, April 20, 9 a.m.: - When you place a COVID-19 QUALITATIVE PCR [LAB3555] order and answer No to the question, Is this for pre-procedure or non-PUI assessment?, the remaining questions will appear on the order, in the shopping cart with responses automatically populated.
- In the shopping cart, click the order to enter the symptom onset date and if needed, manually update any other responses.
IT Help Desk Self-Service Portal
Thursday, April 15, 6 – 7 p.m. If you have IT issues, please email or call the Help Desk. Tickets will be documented on paper and the self-service portal will be unavailable at this time.
Thursday, April 15, 11:55 p.m. – Friday, April 16, 4 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 11:55 p.m. – Friday, April 23, 4 a.m. Be sure to print any required items before this maintenance begin. For questions, contact HR Hub at 832.667.6211 or HRHub@HoustonMethodist.org. Note: Badge Readers will be available, but not Quick Badge.
Cisco Desktop and Wireless Phones
Saturday, April 17, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(HMB) Saturday, April 24, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (HMTW)
During this time frame you may notice a few seconds of disruption in your phone service. Phones will reboot automatically and will not drop calls in progress.
Saturday, April 17, 11 p.m. – Sunday, April 18, 6 a.m. LMS will not be available due to maintenance.
Tuesday, April 20, 10 p.m. – midnight Be prepared for intermittent or no access. Follow your department’s standard downtime procedures.
Network Maintenance (systemwide) impacting Epic, OnBase, vICU, SoftLab, CPN, MARS, LaborWorkx, VPN and Apps Center
Wednesday, April 21, 11:59 p.m. – Thursday, April 22, 4 a.m. Epic, vICU, SoftLab, CPN, MARS, LaborWorkx, VPN and Apps Center may experience intermittent slowness and/or access issues during this time frame. OnBase will be unavailable for scanning and viewing of scans. Hold any paper and resume scanning when the maintenance is complete. To ensure minimal impact, save your work often before and during this maintenance. There is no impact to phones, internet, email or Wi-Fi.
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