Trending in IT- Epic Update and Planned Downtime Rescheduled to Sunday, March 6
- Attend an
Update Briefing
- IP Text Messaging Pilot a Success – Now Launching Systemwide
- IT MDI Team Realigns to Better Support You
- Easier for You to Request Printer Services: Visit itsupport.houstonmethodist.org
Security MattersLaunch Alerts
Epic Updates - Review Epic Deterioration Index Resources to Optimize Usage
- New Wound Photography Task to Improve Compliance
- Wound Care Order Modification Available for PTs
- Infusion/Medication Therapy Plans to Include Infusion Appointment Requests
- Oxytocin Range Dosing Added to Order Set
- Some Epic Functionality Unavailable
- Managers: Prepare Your Staff
Provider News Planned Downtimes
For Epic Users
Epic Update and Planned Downtime Rescheduled to Sunday, March 6
Review Your Update Companion Now
The Epic Update has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 6 with the planned downtime taking place from 2 to 3:30 a.m. To prepare for the Update, be sure to review your Update Companion, which includes summaries of new features and enhancements, with callouts of the top changes for your role highlighted on the first page. To view your Update Companion, click the links below, press F1 while logged in to Epic to access your Learning Home or visit it.houstonmethodist.org/epicupdate for links to all Companions.
For Epic Users
Attend an Update Briefing
To Learn About Top Changes for Your Role
Inpatient Providers and Staff
IP Text Messaging Pilot a Success – Now Launching Systemwide
HMH: Feb. 14
All Other Campuses: Feb. 28 Last year, we piloted a new initiative that sends text and email messages to our admitted patients’ designated loved ones to keep them updated on their conditions, while the patient is in the hospital. These messages benefit both patients and clinicians and will now launch systemwide on Feb. 14 at HMH and Feb. 28 at all other campuses. Why it’s important for our patients and their loved ones - Increases patient and family satisfaction.
- 85% of our patients request text/email updates to be sent to their loved ones.
- Message recipients are surveyed to make sure they’re satisfied with communication. If they’re not, Guest Relations and/or unit nurse leadership is notified, so they can immediately address the patient’s/family’s service needs. They’re also automatically notified:
- When the patient is transferred, the family receives the new room number and new unit phone number.
- When preparing for discharge and discharge milestones.
Why it’s important for you - Quick and easy way to keep multiple family members/loved ones updated on the patient’s condition. Even if you spoke with a family member at the bedside, these texts/emails will help ensure all loved ones identified in Epic are accurately updated.
- Reduces time on the phone and eliminates phone tag.
- Decreases phone calls to the unit.
- Improves HCAHP scores.
Note: There are situations where
face-to-face and phone communication are needed. As always, use discretion when deciding the best form of communication for your patient. For information on how to enter a daily status and keep your patients’ loved ones updated, review:
For Everyone
IT MDI Team Realigns to Better Support You
Effective Monday, Feb. 7Beginning Monday, Feb. 7, the IT Medical Device Integration (MDI) team will realign to these three teams to better support you: Clinical Communications & Collaboration (CCC), Medical Device Integration (MDI) and Virtual Health (VH), which will replace Epic Telemedicine. Here are the applications each team supports: - MDI: all device integration with Capsule, GE, Muse, Sickbay, Natus, etc.
- CCC: communication applications like Engage, Nurse Call, Rover and Vocera.
- VH: ambulatory virtual health service lines and inpatient Caregility and service lines like vICU, Telestroke, Telepsych, Telerounding, etc.
If you need assistance from these teams, submit a ticket through itsupport.houstonmethodist.org and include details in the Conversation History
section on which team or application your request applies to. - Medical Device Integration (MDI)
- Clinical Communication & Collaboration (CCC)
- Virtual Health (VH)
For Everyone
Easier for You to Request Printer Services: Visit itsupport.houstonmethodist.orgIf you need support with printer services, be sure to visit itsupport.houstonmethodist.org to submit your own tickets. There is a new drop-down menu where you can specify the type of printer service you need. This will direct your ticket to the right team faster, so you can get the support you
need. Here are the options you’ll see under the Printer Service Type (see red box in screenshot below): - Connect to an HM Printer: Connect your computer/workstation to an HM printer.
- HM Desktop Printer Support: Service on a desk printer (for your use only).
- HM Network Printer Support: Service on a network printer (shared by multiple people).
- Label/Armband Printer: Service on label/armband printers.
- Toner Replacement: Order toner.
- Other: Provide details in the Conversation History section.
For iPhone and iPad Owners
New! iOS 15.3 UpdateA new Apple update (15.3) was released Wednesday, Jan. 26. This update impacts all iPhones and iPads and provides patches for security vulnerabilities. It's important that you update to the latest version as soon as possible.
As a reminder, non-compliant devices risk not having access to HM data and emails. Here’s how to do the update: - iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install.
- Apple Watch: From an iPhone, update the Apple Watch app, under General > Software Update.
Did you know you can set your iPhone or iPad for automatic
updates? Here's how: - Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates, then turn on Download iOS Updates.
- Turn on Install iOS Updates. Note: Some updates might require a manual install.
For Inpatient Providers and Clinicians
Review Epic Deterioration Index Resources to Optimize UsageThe Epic Deterioration Index (EDI) is our new tool for early detection and intervention of at-risk patients through Epic. EDI replaced the Rothman Index last December in Epic and on Epic monitor display boards. For a refresher on using EDI, including some tips and tricks, please review the following training: The color-coded EDI numerical score updates every 15 minutes and is available on the Overview Summary Report through an icon on the nursing Brain
activity. A Deterioration Index column also can be added on the Patient List (use the wrench to add columns).
For Nurses
New Wound Photography Task to Improve Compliance
Effective Monday, Feb. 7On Monday, Feb. 7, new wound photography tasks will appear on the Nursing Work List when wound LDAs are added (one for each wound), a transfer order is placed or a discharge order is entered. This change helps improve wound photography compliance (System_PCPS176.1 - System_WC028). After you get the images using Rover, mark the task on the Work List activity as Done. Click Skip if getting images is
not appropriate or applicable.
For Physical Therapists
Wound Care Order Modification Available for PTs
Effective Monday, Feb. 7Starting Monday, Feb. 7, physical therapists can modify or discontinue any wound care order, not just those they placed. To view all active wound care orders for a patient: - From the Orders activity, go to the Order History tab.
- Select PT Wound Orders.
- From the list of orders, click the wound order you wish to edit and click Modify
Order or Discontinue.
For Physicians, Pharmacists and Nurses
Infusion/Medication Therapy Plans to Include Infusion Appointment Requests
Effective Monday, Feb. 7As of Monday, Feb. 7, therapy plans will include an infusion appointment request. You’ll no longer have to enter a separate appointment request order via Meds & Orders, making order entry time more efficient. Note: This doesn’t apply to mAB treatment of COVID-19 since it has a different workflow.
For OB/Women’s Service Physicians and Nurses
Oxytocin Range Dosing Added to Order Set
Effective Tuesday, Feb. 8Starting Tuesday, Feb. 8, dosing parameters for Oxytocin will be adjusted to reflect a range instead of a standard milli-units per minute dose in the physician order set. With this change, a range of 2-20, 2-36 or 2-40 milli-units per minute may be selected, with a default of 2-20 milli-units per minute. For integrated IV pump users at HMH, HMSL and HMTW: please refer to the Alaris Pump: Pitocin Bolus and Postpartum Infusion tip sheet for documentation and pump
administration reminders.
For Epic Users
Some Epic Functionality Unavailable
5 a.m. Wednesday, March 2 to 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 6Some Epic functions will be unavailable, and no changes or enhancements can be made from 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 2 to 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 6. You’ll still be able to work in Epic as usual, but you won't be able to: - Apply filters in Chart Review.
- Create, edit and share NoteWriter macros, SmartPhrases and SmartLinks.
- Create and edit In Basket QuickActions.
For Manager/Directors
Prepare Your Staff for the Epic UpdateAs a leader and sponsor, please help your staff understand the changes before the next Epic Update. To help you communicate with your team, role-specific materials are available for you to share during meetings, huddles and rounding. In addition, encourage staff to review their Companions and follow the guided activities in the Epic Playground. View the Accessing the Epic Playground tip sheet for help and a list of user IDs and passwords for all roles.
For HMTW ED Staff
ED eCheck-in Pilot
Effective Monday, March 7On Monday, March 7, HMTW will pilot an ED eCheck-in program that will allow ED patients to complete their emergency visit registrations and pay for the visits, directly from their smartphones. For more information, view this guide.
For Providers
Physician Connect and Provider Site
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.
myHR benefits page (hrportal.ehr.com/houstonmethodist)
9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 to
5 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 Be prepared for intermittent or no access during this time frame.
10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 to
5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 LMS won't be available due to maintenance.
10 p.m.–midnight Tuesday, Feb. 8
10 p.m.–midnight Thursday, Feb. 10 Be prepared for intermittent or no access. Follow your department’s standard downtime procedures.
11 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 to
4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11 Be sure to save your work before the downtime. Devices will automatically reconnect following the downtime. All devices using Guest Wi-Fi are impacted, including guest/patient personal devices, Care.ai temperature devices, Patient Engagement iPads (but not Vidyo), Amazon Alexa, PatientTrak check-in stands and Business Center guest kiosks.
9–10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12
(MARS: Fin/SCM and HCM) 3–4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12
(MARS: HR only) To prepare, complete any transactions before the downtime.
2 to 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 6 During the downtime, access Epic Read-Only. Note: Data in Epic Read-Only is current until the downtime begins. You can’t document or place orders in Epic Read-Only. For more details, review the Planned Downtime Instructions.
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