1. Background
1a. Why do we need a network system with a dedicated focus on paediatric care?
A dedicated paediatric Network eMR enables us to develop specific functonality and flexibility to cater to the paediatric population. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) has built a single, integrated Electronic Medical Record (eMR) to support the future of patient care. Collaborations in treatment, service provision and care across SCHN will reduce duplication and promote best practice.
1b. What are the benefits of using the Network eMR?
It allows the Network the autonomy to design and modify the Network eMR to align with paediatric best practice and clinican requirements. Service delivery will be enhanced and patient safety strengthened with the introduction of a single network eMR. Having a common method of approach to health information ensures that clinicians are well informed to provide patient care excellence.
1c. How was the Network eMR developed?
The Network eMR is a combination of the SESI and SCHN eMRs (PowerChart). After consultations with all departments and key clinical stakeholders, the Network Integration team adopted the agreed functionality to enable all staff to do what they do best - helping young children live the healthiest lives possible.
1d. What do you mean by Network eMR? Do you mean PowerChart?
Yes the Network eMR is the paediatric specific Electronic Medical Record (PowerChart) that will be used across Sydney Children’s Health Network facilities.
It includes:
- SCHN PowerChart
- SCHN Patient Administration/Management System (PAS)
- SCHN FirstNet
- SCHN SurgiNet
- SCHN Billing
- SCHN Scheduling
1e. What clinical patient data will be transferred to the Network eMR?
Some clinical patient data will be transferred to Network eMR, such as:
- Past encounters and the following patient information for the past 4-5 years
- Allergies
- Alerts
- Problems
- Pathology results from November 2018
- Medical Imaging results from January 2019
- Imaged/scanned documents from January 2019
- Heights and Weights (Growth Chart Data)
- Limited blood bank information such as blood group and antibodies
2. Accessing SESI and SCHN eMRs
2a. How will I access PowerChart?
After June, 2019 all staff will access PowerChart from the SCHN domain. Your login details will remain the same. If you are using a SCHN computer, you will access SCHN PowerChart through the Application Window. If you still require access to the SESLHD eMR, this access will also be catered for.
2b. What will be done to alleviate the need to find the patient information and documents between the SESI and SCHN systems?
We appreciate that some Ward/Departments at Go-Live and for a some time there after will continue to refer to both systems which can be tedious. During Go-Live the Project Support Team and super users will be available to assist staff with getting used to navigating between the two eMRs. Once sufficient history is built in the Network eMR, there will be less need to access SESI eMR for historical patient information.
2c. Will the SWISH and STEPS (currently captured in SESI eMR) move to the Network eMR from June 2019?
No. There is no formal change to the scope of services offered by SESI hence nothing will be transferred to SCHN. The change request submission remains the same from a governance perspective.
3. Scheduling
3a. Will we have to move thousands of scheduled appointments from SESI into the Network eMR?
A number of clinics are already in the process of moving their appointments scheduled after June 2019 and scheduling new appointments into Network eMR (Scheduling). This is being overseen and reviewed with the affected departments and mitigation strategies are in place to ensure there is minimal impact on patient care.
3b. Is there any checking function available for the Scheduling module to avoid double booking?
The solution being developed gives the network visibility to each facilities schedules but only grants control to the ones they need. Shared service clinics will have visibility across networks (between SCHN and SESI domain) to avoid double bookings of staff that work across networks.
3c. Will it take longer to register patients?
It will take longer initially as we get all the patient records up to date, most of the registration information has transitioned but we will need to check things like contacts, GPs and Next of kin.
This can be seen as an opportunity to verify that the additional information is up to date.
Additional resources and support staff are being organised to assist staff at the Go-Live supplement normal business administration support.
4. Label Printing
4a. Will patient labels change at Go-Live?
No, the SCH labels will not be changing and will remain as they are at present.
5. FirstNet
5a. When will we start using Network eMR FirstNet?
The Network eMR FirstNet will go-live at SCH in June 2019. From this date, you will transition from using the SESI FirstNet to the Network FirstNet. Key functions that you currently use will be replicated in the Network eMR so the change you experience is minimal. You will continue to have access to SESI FirstNet to see historical patient information.We will be working closely with your department to ensure a safe transition to the Network FirstNet at go-live.
6. Vaccination Information
6a. How do I document Vacination information in the Network eMR and where is this visible?
Vaccination information is documented in the Vaccinations AdHoc Form. Information from this form, such as the Vaccine type and Date Given, automatically becomes visible on the Immunisation History tab in the sidebar menu list.
7. Personal Preferences
7a. Will my local preferences be lost as they will not transfer to the Network eMR?
Correct. Personal preferences, including Patient Lists, Message Centre proxies,
personal pre-completed notes and Favourites (Orders) will need to be re-created in Network eMR.
The Project and Application Training and Support Unit teams are available to assist with system queries and re-setting preferences, and will be roaming through the wards to assist on the afternoons pre Go-Live week, and at go live.
7b. is there a guide on how I can set up my personal preferences?
Yes. You can access the 'Setting up preferences in PowerChart' on Learning.Kids.
You can also access https://learning.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/customisation-tips-tricks
7c. Can someone assist me with setting up my preferences?
Prior to Go-Live, members of the Integration Project Team are available to attend departmental meetings, events, meet individuals to assist staff with setting up preferences. We will also have Roaming Kiosks that are directed as an opportunity for you to customise/configure your user accounts with your individual preferences. Setting this up in advance is highly recommended and will assist you to be prepared at Go-Live.
When you see one of our Roaming Kiosk Network Guides come around what we ask is that you take this opportunity for you to customise/configure your user accounts with your individual preferences.
If you have any questions or would like one of the team to visit you, please email a request to: SCHN-IntegrationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au
8. Go-Live Support and Training
8a. What training is being offered on the Network eMR?
Training is now focused on team-based sessions.
Sessions are being organised directly with managers and educators to ensure material and times are tailored to individual areas. Non-SCH services that see paediatric patients at Randwick Campus are also being engaged as required.
The following learning events have been organised:
- Education during department meetings - open to all team members but focused on HODs, SMOs, VMOs, JMOs, CNCs
- Ward based in-services for nursing staff
- Admin refreshers based on role type/area of work
- Super User refreshers have been scheduled and staff are being booked in by educators/managers.
If you have already been to a training session, thank you. We encourage you to attend additional sessions to reinforce your learning in the context of your relevant workflow. This will ensure you are up-to-date with refinements to the system and our training approach that have been made in the last few weeks.
Please check with your manager/educator for details on when and where you should attend training.
Managers and educators, if you have not already organised a learning event(s) for your team, please email SCHN-ATSU@health.nsw.gov.au as soon as possible to ensure we can tailor a session to your teams’ needs.
8b. Who will support me during Go-Live?
The project team will have a detailed Go-Live support schedule - this will ensure there is coverage, either at-the-elbow or via a phone call. Additional training and suppport information will be available soon on the Integration Program intranet page.
9. Communication and Contact Information
9a. How will I be kept informed of the latest information?
The latest information will be communicated to you via the following channels:
• Integration Program Intranet
• Integration Newsletter
• Departmental meetings
• Training/In-services
• Email updates
9b. Where do I find out more information about training?
Up-to-date information on training dates and locations can be found on the Integration Program intranet page - training tab. The Integration Program also has a dedicated monthly newsletter with this information.
9c. I have questions, who do I contact?
For technical issues
If you have issues logging in, eMR access and technical please contact the IT Service Desk by logging an IT Service Desk Job Request
Contact number: (02) 9845 0333
Email: SCHN-ITServiceDesk@health.nsw.gov.au
For training needs
For your training needs please contact the application and training team.
Contact number: (02) 9845 0333
Email: SCHN-ATSU@health.nsw.gov.au
To request a new eMR development or make a change
If you would like to request a new eMR (electronic Medical Record) development or change any existing eMR functions/components, you may do so by logging a SCHN eMR Development/Change Request
For more information on the Integration Program please send an email to SCHN-IntegrationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au