Trending in IT- HM Surpasses 1 Million MyChart Patient Account Activations
- Access to Replace Apps Center
- LaborWorkx Mobile Time Management - App Version Update
- Tech Tuesdays
Security Matters - It’s a Busy Season…for Cyberattacks
Leadership News- iCIMS Hiring Manager Portal Launching
Launch Alerts - Solarity Launches for SPG/PCG Dec. 6
- HMB, HMCL, HMSL Next to Pilot IP Auto-Text/Email Messaging
Epic Updates - New Document and Note Type: Outside Referral Consult Note
- Informed Consent Required for Transfusion Orders
- Operating Rooms Get Smarter With Voice Command Technology
Provider News
For Everyone
HM Surpasses 1 Million MyChart Patient Account Activations
Houston Methodist MyChart has surpassed 1 million patient account activations. Plus, this year alone, more than 683,000 patients have logged in to their MyChart accounts. MyChart provides access to personal health records, including visit summaries, medications and recent lab and imaging results. With MyChart, patients can also communicate with their HM providers, pay their hospital bills and schedule future appointments. Recently, MyChart functionality expanded to include: - Storing and sharing COVID-19 vaccination and
testing records.
- Reviewing assigned educational materials related to your condition and diagnosis.
- Ordering approved meals while admitted at select HM hospitals.
- Viewing cost estimates for common procedures, based on your insurance.
- Viewing and downloading radiology and cardiology images (starting Dec. 13).
For Everyone Who Uses Apps Center
Access to Replace Apps Center
Effective Now
Apps Center, a platform used to access our network and commonly used apps when offsite, is transitioning to a new platform called Access. This will provide a consolidated location for many enterprise applications, including Epic. The new portal is now available at https://access.houstonmethodist.org. If you currently use Apps Center, start using Access and replace the previous link (https://ctxapps.houstonmethodist.org/) in your Favorites. Apps Center will redirect to Access, in the near future. We encourage you to start using Access now so you are familiar with it. If one of your frequently accessed apps is not in the Access portal, please contact the IT Service Desk.
For Everyone
LaborWorkx Mobile Time Management – App Version UpdateAs a reminder, LaborWorkx is available as an app on your mobile device. With this app, you can log on and view your timecard, schedule and benefits, as well as request time off and more from the palm of your hand. Simply download symplr Workforce API Healthcare from Intune Company Portal to get started. Review this quick start guide to help you download and log in to the app and view useful tips. If you already installed the app, please ensure you have the
latest version (2021.3) to prevent functionality limitations. The new version looks like this:
For Everyone
It’s a Busy Season…for CyberattacksA recent study by Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42, confirmed that cyberattackers are constantly scanning for malicious opportunities. Researchers set up 320 honeypots, or traps set up by IT professionals for hackers, and within 24 hours, 80% of the honeypots were compromised. Don’t let your guard down. Cyberattackers are constantly working to scam you, and they don’t take a break during the holidays. As a reminder, report any suspicious emails using the Report Phish button in your Outlook.
For Managers and Leadership
iCIMS Hiring Manager Portal Launching
Effective Monday, Dec. 6As part of HM's Know Me strategy to transform our new hire process and create an unparalleled recruitment experience, we launched the first phase of the iCIMS Applicant Tracking System, candidate database and TextRecruit texting platform in March. The second iCIMs phase launches Monday, Dec. 6 with the Hiring Manager Portal. With this portal, managers' self-service options include reviewing requisitions and candidates in iCIMS for direct and indirect reports. The portal will also provide data and analytics about your department's hiring. After Dec. 6, all hiring managers will be able to access iCIMS from a tile in MARS, and the following
resources can provide additional guidance: - Live training for hiring managers.
- Video with an overview of your new options.
- Quick Start Guide and FAQs (from your iCIMS dashboard, the Resources panel).
- Your recruiter, who can answer questions you may have
Both training sessions have the same content, so register for just one.
For SPG/PCG HIM Departments
Solarity Fax and Scanning Automation Launch: Monday, Dec. 6 The Solarity automated faxing and scanning system is launching Monday, Dec. 6 for identified SPG/PCG Departments. This new system will improve patient safety by making incoming patient information available in Epic sooner and it improves indexing accuracy.
For SPG/PCG staff who scan paper or process faxes in the clinic, it’s faster for the system to automatically index this information into Epic, because you don’t need to manually scan documents into Epic. The system will apply standard document classification across all areas, making it easier to find documents in Epic.
For All Inpatient Providers and Staff
HMB, HMCL, HMSL Next to Launch IP Auto Text/Email Messaging
HMCL and HMSL: Monday, Dec. 6
HMB: Monday, Dec. 13 On Monday, Dec. 6, HMCL and HMSL will launch inpatient text and email messaging to help keep our admitted patients’ designated family members and loved ones up to date on their conditions. This functionality is similar to what we’re currently using systemwide for admitted patients with visitation restriction orders, typically COVID-19 patients. So far, we’ve seen impressive outcomes and are now working to expand this communication feature for all admitted patients. HMB is on track to launch this feature on Monday, Dec. 13. To learn more:
For All Physicians and Epic Users
New Document and Note Type: Outside Referral Consult Note
Effective Monday, Dec. 6 Starting Monday, Dec. 6, a new Outside Referral Consult Note document and note type will be available in Epic. When an external provider faxes a consult note to the referring ambulatory provider, the document will be scanned into Epic and available under the Media tab. This will also generate a note visible in the Notes tab. Because the provider is external to HM, the description columns in Epic will reflect Provider Unknown in the Notes tab.
For Inpatient, Cardiology Invasive, ED, Infusion, OB and PeriOp Nurses
Informed Consent Required for Transfusion Orders
Effective Monday, Dec 6 Effective Monday, Dec. 6, documented patient consent is required before releasing and printing the transfusion order and picking up blood from the Blood Bank. This change will ensure patients or their caregivers are aware of the procedure before it takes place. A pop-up message will appear if an order release is attempted before informed consent is obtained and documented. - For all hospital-based nurses (except ED), document consent in the Blood & Transfusions flowsheet.
- For ED nurses, document consent in the ED Narrator.
For All Periop Nurses
Operating Rooms Get Smarter with Voice Technology
Effective Monday, Dec. 6Starting Monday, Dec. 6, select operating rooms (OR) at HMH and HMSL will begin piloting a new innovation using Amazon OR Voice. Pilot participants will be able to document and query the patient’s chart just by speaking. This pilot brings the technology behind home smart speakers (Alexa, Google Home, Siri, etc.) into the OR. Note: Epic users will notice a new section in the Intraop Navigator called AMAZON VOICE. Only OR staff who are part of the pilot should use the new section. If you’re not participating in this pilot, please disregard this new section.
For All Providers
Physician Connect and Provider Site
For All Providers
Dragon Medical One Upgrade
Wednesday, Dec. 8 On Dec. 8, Dragon Medical One (DMO) will upgrade to the latest version, 2021.1.1. This version will repair glitches and provide you with a new feature. - Stability/bug fixes:
- Fewer network drops and delays.
- Resolved issue with DMO becoming unresponsive during Epic dictation.
- Better handling of
session disconnects during recording.
- Resolved issue with DMO memory leaks, causing Epic and DMO to freeze or crash.
- New feature: You can now switch to another microphone.
- Switch microphone source from the DragonBar menu without logging off.
- Go to DragonBar menu (flame).
- To select or change the microphone source, choose Microphone (PowerMicIII-NS) or Nuance PowerMic
Mobile.
Use Dragon Medical One voice-to-text application to enjoy instant transcription on and off the HM network. Visit the Dragon Resources page for more information.
All Providers and CRNAs
21st Century Cures Act Open Notes Sharing Starts Dec. 31
Why It’s Important and How to Prepare To align with 21st Century Cures Act requirements, starting Friday, Dec. 31, HM will auto-release USCDI V1 Clinical Note types to patients via their MyChart accounts — unless the provider deems auto-releasing may cause patient harm or by patient request. The ONC Cures Act Final Rule implements interoperability requirements outlined in the Cures Act, including a requirement that patients have quick and easy access to their electronic
health record (EHR) information, like test results, at no cost. It also mandates that we make certain clinical note types available to patients at no cost. These notes cannot be blocked unless they meet an approved exception reason. Benefits Patients Sharing notes has been proven to benefit patients. It empowers them to be more involved in their care, improves patient safety and supports provider-patient partnerships. Studies have shown note-sharing also helps patients: - Better understand their overall health and any medical conditions.
- Feel more in
control of their care.
- Take better care of themselves.
- Remember their plans of care.
- Take prescribed medications correctly.
Remember, patients and parents/guardians have always had a legal right to access to their medical records, including clinical notes. Now, with this new rule, they’ll have secure and easy access to this information electronically. How to Prepare
Planned Downtimes or MaintenancesIf 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.
Network System Maintenance
11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 to
3 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3 You may experience intermittent internet and application access slowness, lasting up to five minutes. Save your work often during this maintenance time, and if network drives and icons are missing reboot your computer.
10 p.m.–midnight Thursday, Dec. 2
10 p.m.–midnight Tuesday, Dec. 7 Be prepared for intermittent or no access. Follow your department’s standard downtime procedures.
10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 to
5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 LMS won't be available due to maintenance.
Amazon Echo Dots
(All sites except HMWB)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7Patients may experience a brief interruption in Amazon Echo Dot service during this upgrade.
11:55 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 to
5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10 LaborWorkx won't be available during these time frames. Be sure to print any required items. For questions, contact HR Hub at 832.667.6211 or HRHub@HoustonMethodist.org. Note: Badge Readers will be available, but not Quick Badge and Mobile app.
Cisco Phone System Maintenance (Holly Hall)
9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 to
4 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13 Cisco desktop and wireless phones may experience a few minutes of disruption during this maintenance. Phones will reboot automatically and won't drop calls in progress.
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