Trending in IT
21st Century Cures Act
Dashboard Shows Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) Metrics
Click for latest issue of Physician Connect
Security Matters
- Catching a Phish
Launch Alerts
- IV Pump Integration Launches at HMTW – Tuesday, June 8
Epic Updates
Anti-Hypertensive Medication Hold Parameters Updated
Dysphagia Diet Orders Changing from NDD to IDDSI
Triage Activity in Epic Changing
Add Patient Post-Acute Care Information to Care Team
Trending in IT
For Everyone
21st Century Cures Act
New Health Care Law Puts Patients in the Driver’s Seat
It’s no secret that technology is evolving at what feels like the speed of light and health care technology is no exception. We can schedule appointments, pay bills and even meet with our doctors without leaving the comfort of our own homes. And now, under the 21st Century Cures Act, access to our personal health care information will be just as easy. Read more in the May issue of CIO Quarterly.
For Everyone
Dashboard Shows Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) Metrics
Academic Affairs and Academic Technology at HM partnered to build a dashboard showcasing institute-level data for research, education and clinical translation. This includes an interactive data-visualization tool, information on active clinical trials, grant funding and trainees across the system in all professions and disciplines. You can explore the network of HM academic collaborations in Texas and around the world by visiting the Academic Metrics Dashboard using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
For more information, contact Sharon Chui or Thomas Davila.
For All Providers
Click for the latest issue of Physician Connect.
Security Matters
For Everyone
Catching a Phish
Did you take the bait from our latest phishing drill? Phishing emails, sent by hackers and disguised to look real, can easily bait you to click a link.
“Email security is our number one job,” said Barry Beckett, chief information security officer. “Ninety-five percent of successful cyberattacks begin with a phishing email.”
Still not sure what to look for in a phishing email? To show you all the red flags, let’s break down the April phishing drill. Read more in the May issue of CIO Quarterly.
Launch Alerts
For HMTW Nurses
IV Pump Integration with Epic: HMTW Launches on Tuesday, June 8
Register and Complete Training Now
IV pump integration with Epic launches at HMTW on Tuesday, June 8. To prepare, HMTW nurses in impacted units (see right) have been assigned classroom training in LMS — register and attend as soon as possible.
To register, select a session, search LMS for your appropriate Epic IV Pump Integration Training course ID.
- ED Only – Course ID: 1589056
- Infusion Therapy Only – Course ID: 1589057
- All Other Units – Course ID: 1589055
Classroom size is limited, and each course is two hours, so register now to reserve your seat. Additional class sessions and open labs have been added for June 1 – 4.
For more information or assistance with class registration, contact Brenda Lee (bklee@houstonmethodist.org) or Epic Training (epictraining@houstonmethodist.org). For additional details and benefits, visit it.houstonmethodist.org/ivpump/.
Impacted units:
- 4N, 5N, 6N, 6S Med Surg
- AOD/PACU (OR/Spec Procedures)
- Cath Lab
- ED (Main/Woodlands ECC)
- Endoscopy
- ICU
- Infusion Center
- Interventional Radiology
- Women’s Services (Antepartum, L&D, NICU, OB ED)
Epic Updates
For All Providers and Pharmacists
Anti-Hypertensive Medication Hold Parameters Updated
Effective Tuesday, June 1
On Tuesday, June 1, heart rate and systolic blood pressure hold parameters for anti-hypertensive medications will be updated. This reflects suggested parameters based on heart rate and/or blood pressure medication action.
- No Hold Parameters Needed will also be updated, indicating use for ONCE or PRN Orders only. This helps ensure safe medication use and monitoring prior to medication administration.
- Free text options for hold
parameters are still available, so you can individualize patient treatment needs.
Systolic Blood Pressure Only Parameters
Systolic Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Hold Parameters
For All Providers
Dysphagia Diet Orders Changing from NDD to IDDSI
Effective Tuesday, June 1
On Tuesday, June 1, dysphagia diet orders will change from National Dysphagia Diets (NDD) to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). This aligns with a nationwide initiative to help standardize terminology and definitions for texture-modified foods and thickened liquids descriptions for all dysphagia patients.
For more information, review this presentation.
For ED Nursing
Triage Activity in Epic Changing
Effective Tuesday, June 1
On Tuesday, June 1, the Triage Activity in Epic will change to be more efficient and optimize workflows. For Quick Triage, the contents are getting rearranged and ED Fall Risk added. The following items from Comprehensive Triage are now in a Comprehensive Screenings toolbox in the ED Narrator location:
- Triage Screenings (Advance Directives, C Diff, Depression, TB Screening)
Dialysis Screening
For more information, view these tip sheets:
For Case Managers
Add Patient Post-Acute Care Information to Care Team
Effective Tuesday, June 8
Starting Tuesday, June 8, you must add your patients’ post-acute care information to the care team in Epic, including SNF, LTAC, DME, home health, etc. This ensures the patient’s service provider is electronically notified when the patient is discharged, aligning with the new CMS requirement. Note: If your patient’s selected provider isn’t listed in Epic, you must call the facility to notify them of the patient’s discharge and document the call in your note.
For instructions, read this tip sheet.
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.
Systemwide Internet Maintenance
Thursday, May 27, 11:59 p.m. – Friday, May 28, 6 a.m.
Our vendor is conducting maintenance and you may experience intermittent internet slowness and access issues, lasting up to three minutes.
LMS
Saturday, May 29, 11 p.m. –
Sunday, May 30, 6 a.m.
LMS won't be available due to maintenance.
QSight
Tuesday, June 1, 10 p.m. – midnight
Be prepared for intermittent or no access. Follow your department’s standard downtime procedures.
HMH Walter Tower
IT System Maintenance
Tuesday, June 8, 5 p.m. –
Wednesday, June 9, 4 a.m.
Everyone will lose network connection to all business systems and medical devices for about three minutes, but devices should reconnect automatically.
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.
Reminders
You can see previous issues of IT Matters and more at it.houstonmethodist.org.
Ways to Reach IT
IT Help Desk Self Service
IT Help Desk: 832.667.5600
Physician Help Desk: 832.667.5555
helpdesk@houstonmethodist.org
it.houstonmethodist.org
For Everyone-Everyone