IT Matters - June 4, 2020

Trending in IT

For Everyone

Microsoft Teams – Get the Training You Need/Tip of the Week

Want to learn more about Microsoft Teams?

With more of us working remotely, we now have new tools like Microsoft Teams to keep us better connected. To help you take full advantage of this tool, you can now sign up for instructor-led training in LMS SuccessFactors. Search for Microsoft Teams Training ( Course 1582170 ).

Tip of the Week – How to Create a Poll

Did you know that you can send a survey through Microsoft Teams? You can easily poll participants in a meeting or in a team chat. To create a poll, click on the ellipses (located at the bottom tool bar of a Teams chat). This opens a search box where you will type Poll .

Type your poll question and answer options and click Next. Here’s what it will look like when you send it. You can submit a vote, see who has taken the survey and download the results.

For Everyone

Making Epic More Secure

Extra Safeguards Now in Place

Demonstrating our commitment to keeping our patient data secure, Houston Methodist is one of the first hospital systems worldwide to adopt all of Epic’s recommended security features.

In 2019, more than 41 million patient records were exposed globally, a figure that includes 12.6 percent of the U.S. population, according to a HIPAA Journal report.

Last week, we made MyChart safer for patients by enabling two-step verification. This provides an extra level of security by giving patients the option to enter an authentication code they receive via text or email to gain access to their MyChart accounts. Patients can turn on this feature, or they can opt-in from Security Settings .

For Everyone

New Systemwide TB Screening Process Begins This Month

TB screening will take place for all employees, including management, June 22 to Sept. 25 . There is also a new process. Everyone must complete an online TB risk assessment questionnaire that will determine if a test is needed. Unlike in the past, some employees may not require a TB test. The risk assessment will be available in MARS via a new Employee Health Portal on June 15.

Note: TB screening for HMPCG and HMSPG physicians will take place at a later date.

How it works:

Starting June 15, begin by taking the TB risk assessment in MARS. Your individual TB risk assessment results will determine whether you need a TB test and next steps.

If a TB test is not needed, no further action is required.
If a TB test is needed, you must schedule an appointment with Employee Health in MARS via the new Employee Health Portal in MARS. You may schedule your appointment at any Houston Methodist Employee Health department, regardless of where you work.

Click here for other helpful information and timelines.

For questions about TB screening, contact your hospital’s Employee Health department.

For Nurses

Rover Successfully Launches at HMW and HMCCH;

HMH Continues Rollout

Rover, a simplified version of Epic on a smartphone, recently completed successful launches for nurses at HMW and HMCCH.

HMH continues its rollout next week on Monday, June 8 with Jones 9, Fondren 12 and Alkek 7 and 8. If you work in one of these locations, online training has been assigned to you in LMS or you can search for the Rover Overview Learning Module . If you haven't completed this training, please do so as soon as possible.

For updated information and resource materials, visit it.houstonmethodist.org/rover . For questions, contact the IT Help Desk at it.houstonmethodist.org/help or 832.667.5600.

Epic Updates

For Inpatient Nurses and Clinicians

Copy-Forward Functionality Discontinued

Effective Monday, June 8

Starting Monday, June 8 , inpatient nurses and clinicians will no longer be able to copy-forward or duplicate previously documented patient assessments from one column to another in patient flowsheets. The CNO Council approved this improvement to ensure patient safety through timely and accurate documentation.

For All Epic Users

Secure Chat – Tip of the Week

Attaching an Image to a Message

Through Secure Chat you can chat within Epic with one person or with groups to exchange non-urgent patient messages, including adding photos. If you need to send urgent communications or contact on-call providers, don’t use Secure Chat. You should continue using your current communications channels.

Here’s a tip on attaching an image to a Secure Chat message. When you attach an image, recipients can see details about a patient. You can take new photos or add existing images to a chat conversation. If they’re not added to the patient chart, photos auto-delete 30 days after they’re sent (just like messages).

Click these tip sheets for additional details and instructions on attaching an image to a message:

Click here for instructions on deleting a photo taken in error.

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

For Registration and PAS Staff

New Guarantor Account for HMH Employee Health Clinic

A new HMH Employee Health Clinic guarantor account will help correct billing issues caused by changes to the previous guarantor account. This should be the only guarantor you select during the HMH registration process.

New Guarantor Number: Employee Health Clinic HMH, Institutional [5004751]

Enter the following Client Number when placing the Specialty Billing Flag :

New Institutional Account: Employee Health Clinic HMH - HMH000230

Review this Quick Reference Guide for more information.