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For Everyone
LaborWorkx Available on Mobile

As a reminder, LaborWorkx is now available as an app on your mobile device. With this app, you can log on and view your timecard, schedule, benefits, request time off and more from the palm of your hand. Simply download the API Healthcare MobileWorkforce app from the Intune Company Portal to get started.

Review this quick start guide to help you download and log on to the app and view useful tips.

Launch Alerts

For HMB Nurses, PCAs, Techs, RTs, Phlebotomists and Lab Staff
Specimen Scanning Launches at HMB on Tuesday, July 20

Specimen Scanning launches at HMB on Tuesday, July 20 for nurses, PCAs, techs, respiratory therapists, 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. 

Training and support

• LMS training: To prepare for this launch, please complete the LMS training that has been assigned to you (Epic Lab Specimen Collection & Barcode Scanning for Clinical Staff, course #1582031). The deadline for completing this training is Friday, July 16.
• Road shows: These will feature live demonstrations from Monday, July 12 through Monday, July 19, for day and night shifts.
• Survey: Look for a brief survey coming tomorrow and again three weeks after the launch. Be sure to take a minute to complete these surveys to help us improve how we support you.

For more information, visit it.houstonmethodist.org/specimenscanning.

Epic Updates

For Front Desk and Registration Staff
Break-the-Glass in Epic Controls PHI Access
Effective Now

Break-the-Glass (BTG), an Epic feature, controls access to protected health information of specific patient accounts. BTG also keeps an audit trail of who has accessed it and why. Depending on the reason, Health Information Management (HIM) or registration staff may place BTG on a patient’s chart.

For instructions, review this tip sheet.

For ED Providers and Staff
Track Board Column Indicates COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Effective Now

A new column on the Track Board in Epic indicates whether a patient is fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Red dots indicate patients aren't fully vaccinated, and green dots display if they're fully vaccinated. This is visible on the All Patients, My Patients and To Be Admitted Track Board views.

Fully vaccinated patients don't need a COVID-19 test unless they're admitted for the following reasons:

• ICU or IMU
• Psych
• Transplant

For more information, view this tip sheet.  

For All Inpatient Nurses
Dual Signatures Required for High-Risk Medication Rate Changes

As a reminder, dual signatures are required for rate changes on select high-risk IV medications and dosage levels to ensure patient safety. This is for administration of drug therapies, regardless of pump integration.

Epic will prompt a dual signature before accepting the change (see screenshot below) when a rate change for identified medications is entered.

Identified medications include:

• Anticoagulants, IV: argatroban, bivalirudin, heparin
• Antithrombotic agents: alteplase (except for catheter clearance)
• Benzodiazepines, IV: lorazepam, midazolam
• Concentrated electrolytes: magnesium doses of 4 grams or more
• Epidural and PCA pain management: fentanyl, HYDROmorPHONE, morphine
• HYPERtonic solutions: sodium chloride with concentrations greater than 0.9%
• Neuromuscular blocking agents infusions: cisatracurium, nimbex, rocuronium
• Prostacyclin, IV: epoprostenol (Flolan®) / (Veletri®); treprostinil (Remodulin®)

For more information, please refer to High Risk Medication guidelines in Policy Tech.

For HMB Cadence, HB, Patient and PB Workqueue Users
Billing and Registration Workqueue List Name Changing
Effective Monday, July 19

In preparation for the upcoming Epic Department name change from HMSJ to HMB, the billing and registration workqueue list will now have the prefix HMB instead of HMSJ effective Monday, July 19. Note: Because the drop-down menu is listed alphabetically, HMB shows before HMSJ.

Planned Downtimes or Maintenance

If you experience issues during a planned maintenance, including missing computer icons or shared drives, please be patient and restart your computer. To ensure minimal impact, save your work often, before and during any planned maintenance.

Reminders

You can see previous issues of IT Matters and more at it.houstonmethodist.org.

For Managers
Approve Timecards From Your Phone

For Remote Workers
Ways to Connect to the HM Network Remotely

For All Hospital-Based Nurses
Specimen Label Printing Reminders and Troubleshooting

For Everyone
Reset Your Own Password – Simple, Secure 

For Front Desk, Scheduling and Registration Staff and Others Using ABN Workflows
New Manual ABN Process

For All Providers
Physician Connect June Newsletter

For All Providers and Clinicians Placing Orders
Name Change Alert: COVID-19 Qualitative RT-PCR

For All Providers
Haiku/Canto Update Pop-Up Reminder

For All Providers
Electronic Prior Authorization Pilot Expands
HMSL and Remaining HMWB Inpatient Units

For All Providers and Pharmacists
New IllumiCare Smart Ribbon Apps
Coming Soon 

For Everyone-Everyone