Trending in ITCOVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Available for Outpatient Infusion Two-Way Texting Coming to Central Scheduling Tech Training Sessions Take Flight Teams Tip: Use Computer Audio Transition to Campaign Monitor IVR Transitioning to RevSpring
Security Matters
Launch AlertsEpic Updates
For All Providers, Clinical Support Staff
COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Available for Outpatient Infusion
New Referral Order Effective NowHouston Methodist has received allocations of bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. This received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. Patients meeting EUA criteria can be referred for ambulatory infusion by placing an Amb Referral to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusion (REF1001) order in Epic. COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy (e.g., bamlanivimab, Casirivimab-Imdevimab) at HM should be administered to adult patients
with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 as soon as possible after a positive viral test for SARS-CoV-2 and within 10 days of symptom onset. COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment is for patients meeting at least one of the following criteria: - Have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35
- Have chronic kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Have immunosuppressive disease
- Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Are ≥ 65 years of age
- Are ≥ 55 years of age AND have cardiovascular disease, OR hypertension, OR chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory diseases.
Before signing the order in Epic, you must attest that the patient meets the criteria and that treatment and alternatives were discussed. Additionally, you must provide the patient’s risk factors and obtain the patient’s consent to receive therapy. The REF1001 order will initiate a new workflow in Epic to facilitate this treatment. The referral center pharmacist will contact patients, review their criteria, facilitate patient education and coordinate scheduling. COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy is best administered at our specialized outpatient infusion centers at HMH, HMSL and HMCCH now, and HMTW starting Monday, Dec. 7. Additional resources: If you have questions, please call 346.356.1766 or email COVID19MAB@houstonmethodist.org.
For Everyone
Two-Way Texting Coming to Central Scheduling
Effective Monday, Dec. 7 To help patients better communicate with Central Scheduling about upcoming appointments, HM is enabling two-way texting through WELL Health starting Monday, Dec. 7. Patients will receive appointment text reminders and can send confirmation or questions via text.
For Everyone
Tech Training Sessions Take Flight
Two training sessions launched this week – Tech Tuesdays and the Microsoft Teams Champions program. Tech Tuesdays
Tuesday’s live event, hosted by a team of three Microsoft experts, was well received with over 500 participants. December’s Tech Tuesdays sessions focus on Microsoft Teams tips and insights. All December sessions are the same, so attend once and pick the date that works best for you. Look for invitations from itinformationupdate@houstonmethodist.org or click the links below to join at the time of the meeting.
What Microsoft programs do you want to learn more about?
To help us plan the topic for January’s Tech Tuesdays sessions, let us know which Microsoft product you would like to learn more about. Click here to share your feedback. Microsoft Teams Champions
Our first Microsoft Teams Champions monthly meeting also launched this week. Over 30 people attended the session. Champions will participate in monthly calls, learn Microsoft Teams tips and tricks, and gain early access to new features and a resource library. To join the group, speak with your supervisor and complete this form.
For Everyone
Teams Tip: Use Computer Audio, Not Call BackWhen you join a Teams call, there are several options to connect to sound. The recommended and most widely used option is Computer audio. This is the best option when paired with a good headset (your laptop’s built in mic and speakers may not be a good option). You can also use the phone audio option. When you do, be sure to dial the number yourself instead of having Teams call you. Automatic call backs result in a per minute fee to HM. When choosing phone audio, click Dial in manually to get a list of phone numbers to use to dial in to the meeting. When using phone
audio:
Do not use this option. Use this option.
For a list of Microsoft approved and Teams certified headsets, click here.
For Communications
Transition to Campaign Monitor Enterprise AccountEffective Dec. 1, HM has transitioned to Campaign Monitor as our sole enterprise account for all broad communications (e.g., systemwide, entity and departmental electronic newsletters/communications). Campaign Monitor improves the safety and security of our communications and is also more cost effective. If you send mass communications and need to set up an account, contact the IT Help Desk and ask them to direct it to Server Engineering – Messaging Queue. Campaign Monitor is hosting one more training session on Monday, Dec. 7 from 12:45 –
1:45 p.m. Click the link at the time of the meeting or click here to listen to a pre-recorded training session.
For All Patient-Facing Staff
IVR Transitioning from Televox to RevSpringTo improve our process for patients who call with billing questions, our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system will soon change from Televox to RevSpring. More details will be shared as they become available.
For Everyone
Spread Joy – Not Passwords
Millions of people increased their online shopping this year due to COVID-19. While online shopping might be easy to do, it is also easy to accidentally share your information for hackers to steal. Here are a few tips on how to avoid cyber scams and protect your personal information.
1. Think before you click. If it looks too good to be true, it may be just that. Don’t click or disclose any information on websites that you are unfamiliar with and don’t appear credible. 2. Don’t assume the sender is your friend. If you get an email that looks like it’s from a friend or relative, look at the email closely and make sure that’s the case. Many hackers are posing as your friend or relative on social media. Be wary of someone needing your immediate action or asking you for personal information. 3. Manage your passwords. Keep your passwords secure and safe and remember weak
passwords like a birthdate, your address or the same password for multiple accounts leaves you vulnerable to hackers. 4. Keep software up to date. Software developers are constantly improving their products to fix bugs and stay ahead of hackers. Keep your software updated to ensure you benefit from these fixes. Click here for more on these tips from the Cisco newsroom.
For HMCL Nurses, PCAs, Techs and Respiratory Therapists
HMCL Specimen Scanning Launching on Tuesday, Dec. 8
Complete Required Training by Friday, Dec. 4Specimen Scanning launches at HMCL on Tuesday, Dec. 8 for nurses, PCAs and techs in acute care, ICU, ED, CBC, cath lab, endoscopy, perioperative services, infusion center, dialysis and for all respiratory therapists. This new 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, Dec. 4. - Required online training has been assigned to impacted nurses, PCAs, techs and respiratory therapists. Please complete this LMS training by Friday, Dec. 4.
Road shows - Road shows featuring a live demonstration have been taking place daily this week in all departments.
- If the road show hasn’t yet come to your unit, look for it today or tomorrow.
For questions, contact your unit’s super users or the IT Help Desk. For more information visit, it.houstonmethodist.org/specimenscanning
For Rover Users
Rover Zebra Smartphone: Quarterly Update, Dec. 15
Downtime Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 – 5 a.m. The Rover Zebra smartphone quarterly upgrade is Tuesday, Dec. 15 with a downtime from 1 – 5 a.m. Be sure your Zebra smartphone is turned on with the battery charged before 1 a.m. on Dec. 15. Otherwise your phone won’t receive the update until someone turns it on, which may interrupt patient care for the next user. During the downtime, your phone will be intermittently unavailable and reboot. Use other phones or Vocera badges for communication, and use Epic on workstations for documentation. What’s new after the upgrade - Fixes for the second incoming call notification issue.
- Fixes to help with accidental pocket dials.
- Power button available on left side and back of phone.
- Less sensitive touch screen.
- Hidden password during entry.
- Updated phone directories.
- Smartphone security update.
Rover reminders - Prevent accidental pocket dials.
- Important: Lock your screen before putting the phone in your pocket. To lock your screen, press the power button once.
- Disinfect your device carefully.
- When using the PDI Sani-Cloth (red top) wipes, be mindful not to saturate the phone with liquid.
For questions, contact the IT Help
Desk.
For Inpatient Nursing
Insulin Pump Banner
Effective Today The Summary Overview Report now has an Insulin Pump banner. The new banner auto populates from documentation of Insulin pump LDA, Insulin pump implant or Insulin pump order.
For All Nursing
Dual Sign-Off for Restart MAR Action
Effective Tuesday, Dec 8On Tuesday, Dec 8, Restart MAR Action will require a dual sign off for high alert/high risk medications that need an independent double check, as noted in System_PCPS 126. This includes medications like heparin infusions, opioid PCAs and neuromuscular blocker infusions, to name a few.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 p.m. – Sunday, Dec. 6, 5 a.m. LMS will not be available due to maintenance.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 10 p.m. – midnight You may experience intermittent or no access. Follow your department’s standard downtime procedures.
Thursday, Dec. 10, 11:55 p.m. – Friday, Dec. 11, 5 a.m. LaborWorkx will be down for maintenance on these dates and times. Be sure to print any required work/schedule-related items prior to that time. LaborWorkx Support questions can be directed to HR Hub, 832-667-6211 or HRHub@HoustonMethodist.org. Note: Badge Readers will be available during this time, but Quick Badge will not.
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 – 5 a.m. Be sure your Zebra smartphone is turned on with the battery charged before 1 a.m. on Dec. 15. During the downtime, your phone will be intermittently unavailable and reboot. Use other phones or Vocera badges for communication, and use Epic on workstations for documentation.
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