End-of-Life Visitation Revised, MyChart Self-Scheduling and G'bye TigerText

TheraDoc Scheduled Downtime TONIGHT | Oct. 8
The Infection Prevention surveillance application TheraDoc will undergo a four-hour downtime for monthly maintenance tonight, Oct. 8 at 11 p.m., ending no later than Oct. 9 at 3 a.m.

During that time, the infection status field in Epic (e.g., COVID-19 Rule Out, COVID-19 Confirmed) will not update; it will update automatically at the conclusion of the downtime.
Epic’s COVID-19 BPAs will continue to function and laboratory tests will continue to display.
The highest risk activity during the downtime is admitting new patients with pending COVID-19 tests. Be sure to double-check for test orders, test results and BPAs prior to patient placement.

To further improve ease of access for COVID-19 testing, patients who have a provider’s order for a COVID-19 test can now self-schedule the appointment using their active MyChart account, in addition to using the self-scheduling option on inova.org/covidtest.

For the best possible experience, we encourage providers with access to Epic’s scheduling activity to directly schedule their patients’ tests, as this will promote safer ordering and a seamless experience for our patients. Follow the guidance in the Epic tip sheet on InovaNet, which you'll find linked in the document below.

SEE 'OUTPATIENT COVID-19 AND FLU TESTING' >>

IMPACT: Inpatient Nurses, Physicians, Select Ambulatory Providers and Care Team Members with MUSE access

On Oct. 14, Inova’s MUSE NX Cardiology Information System will be upgraded to give clinical users improved functionality with seamless access to view ECG tracings in a MUSE window that will open within Epic. Users with access can read and sign ECGs without having to log into the MUSE program.

Please note:

Oct. 13 from 6 p.m. to midnight – MUSE downtime

ECGs can still be taken and will be saved on the ECG cart; they will need to be scanned manually after the downtime.
ECGs from bedside monitors can still be taken; these will send automatically after the downtime.
Historical ECGs can be accessed in Epic Chart Review in the Media tab.

Oct. 14 at 12:01 a.m. – MUSE online.
Call the Physician Assistance Line at 703.889.2002 for any post go-live issues.

*VIEW TIP SHEET TO SEE THE IMPROVED FUNCTIONALITY >>

Our August launch of Epic Secure Chat to our clinical teams has been a success, with average daily messages increasing from about 4,500 to more than 9,000 per day, and increasing requests for access from non-clinical Epic users.
On Oct. 27, we will extend Secure Chat access to include all clinical and non-clinical team members who have an active Epic Hyperspace login, connecting care team members system-wide on a unified platform to further ensure the safety for our patients and promote a seamless care experience.
On Oct. 30, Inova will retire our TigerText (Tiger Connect) texting platform to eliminate redundancy and potential confusion for care teams about which platform to use for routine care team communications. .
By the end of month, clinical team texting will be consolidated to the following two applications:

Secure Chat – Available via desktop, Haiku/Canto and Rover for routine, communication.
Xtend Page – For time-sensitive clinical response, including MSET and RRT communication.

Secure Chat and Xtend Page training resources are available at InovaNet / Education / EpicCare / Secure Chat.

*VIEW THE TRAINING RESOURCES >>

Have you thanked a PA today? Please take a moment to recognize our physician assistant (PA) partners for the critical role they play in the care of our patients.

Inova has nearly 350 PAs practicing system-wide. PAs are licensed to practice medicine, treat illnesses, assist in surgeries and prescribe medications. They work closely with nurses, physicians and other clinicians in every medical specialty to help provide the best possible care for the patients we are privileged to serve.

I am grateful for all our PAs for their daily commitment to helping deliver world-class healthcare, every time, every touch.

Inova Heart & Vascular Institute was recently recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in the "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report as one of the top health systems in the nation for providing quality care to heart patients in 2020. Inova is one of only 72 health systems to be recognized for using ACC’s proven quality programs to inform a robust quality improvement process that relies on data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to cardiovascular patients in all five Inova hospitals.

READ REACTION FROM IHVI PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER O'CONNOR, MD >>

Inova’s signature fundraising event, Inova Honors, has transformed into a virtual celebration on Nov. 6, with proceeds supporting well-being and resilience programs for all Inova team members. You’re invited! Craig Cheifetz, MD and Sage Bolte, PhD have partnered to challenge Inova leaders and associated clinicians to stand together with our Inova team in the 1,000 x $1,000 Challenge. Many generous leaders have already answered the call by making a personal gift of $1,000 of more for Inova Honors.

The 2020 lineup includes:

Alex and Liz Smith of the Washington Football Team (our hosts!)
Ryan and Heather Zimmerman, World Series Champion Washington Nationals
Trea and Kristen Turner, World Series Champion Washington Nationals
Angie Goff, FOX5 DC (our Emcee!)
Broadway musical numbers
Delicious menu and wine pairing, prepared by the Washington Capital’s executive chef (delivered to your door!)
Stories from Inova’s patients and frontline heroes

I hope you’ll join me - virtually!

GET TICKETS AT INOVAHONORSDINNER.ORG >>

Wellness Tip of the Day – Technology burn-out is real. Put down the remote or device and pick up a good, old-fashioned book! Reading brings multiple health benefits: it improves brain connectivity, increases vocabulary and comprehension, engenders empathy for others, aids in sleep readiness, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, fights depression symptoms and prevents cognitive decline with age. Enjoy your read and escape in the story for a moment. – Inova Well

Team Member Wellness Tips – Play music. Find your favorite song or album and have a mini concert in your home. Dance, sing and just have fun! – Cynthia, Patient Financial Services

Submit your wellness tips to MediaRelations@inova.org and use the Subject: My Wellness Tip.