FAQs for physicians
As a physician, you have specific questions about ConnectCare and how it will change how you care for your patients. Below are few of the most frequently asked questions that physicians have as well as answers from the ConnectCare team.
How do I register for ConnectCare training?
You should speak with a ConnectCare training registration expert by calling 1-866-917-2747. General questions can be directed to our Hospital Services Representative Cindy Hicks (Cindy_Hicks@bshsi.org) at (757) 870-0806 or the Vice President of Medical Affairs James Sammons, MD (James_Sammons@bshsi.org) at (757) 886-6756. The ConnectCare team will be happy to assist you.
You can also reach our 24/7 Physician Support Line (with questions about on-line training, practice area access and charting tools) at (757) 215-3555.
What about CME credits?
ConnectCare classes and online learning have been approved for CME credits.
Can I access ConnectCare from my office or home?
Yes! All you need is a computer with a high-speed internet connection. You may already use the Bon Secours Citrix web page to access other Bon Secours programs, but, if you do not, instructions will be provided during your instructor-led training session. After attending a training class, you will be able to access the ConnectCare Sandbox for practice purposes before Go-Live. After the Go-Live date, you will be able to access the Production system to review patient records and to place orders.
Please note that Mac users will need to use the Firefox web browser, and PC users can use either Internet Explorer or Firefox. There is also a small Citrix client installation that is less than 15MB. For any questions on configuring your equipment or remote access prior to the Go-Live date please contact our 24/7 Physician Support Line at (757) 215-3555.
Can I use my own laptop?
You can access ConnectCare from any device with a high-speed internet connection. There are limitations, however, based on screen size (smaller screens require a lot of scrolling) that make some devices unusable.
Will I be able to dictate my notes?
ConnectCare's templated documentation tools can help you efficiently create complete notes without the need for transcription. Our experience has been that the system reduces the need for dictation by about half.
When you require dictation, your documents will be transcribed and automatically sent to ConnectCare, where they can be reviewed in the Chart Review activity. They will be sent to your "In-Basket," where they can be reviewed, corrected and signed electronically.
What happens to the old (paper) charts?
Medical records for events prior to Go-Live will be stores according to current retention policies and procedures. They can be retrieved by the Health Information Management department or through accessing SoftMed Chartview as is the current practice for completing records. A link inside ConnectCare is also being planned to facilitate the launching of SoftMed.
How do I make/get consults?
- Making Consults
Many order sets have a section for consults. You can choose by Specialty, Group, or individual just as you do now. As usual, for urgent or complex consults a phone call to the consultant is recommended. - Receiving Consults
If you receive a consult and you are added to the patient's Treatment Team, his/her name will appear on your Patient List. You can add patients to your list at any time as well. - Coverage
Covering physicians will be able to see your consults list and/or add it to theirs for purposes of making rounds (for weekend calls, etc.).
Can I make my own order sets?
Each Order Set has multiple choices for each item or category (VS,
diet, antibiotic choices, etc.). Each physician can make selections from
any of these choices and save the result as his/her "Favorites."
When that physician opens that same Order Set again, the pre-selected choices are checked and are ready to order. Any new selections may be substituted "on–the–fly" or may be saved as a new "Favorite."
Additional orders can be added to the orders in the Order Set for a given patient, but they are not saved with the Order Set as are the selections in the "Favorites." "Preference Lists" can be used to simplify ordering.
What support will be available in the hospital?
For the first several weeks after "Go-Live" there will be
around-the-clock support in the form of "Super-Users" (persons who've
learned the system in more depth). After that initial phase, support
will be available as well, but on a more limited basis.
