Digital Health News – January 2024

The Western Health Digital Strategy sets out the path for taking Western Health forward into its digital future. In line with the Western Health’s Strategic Plan, it aims to build on existing initiatives and embed digital technology and data across all clinical and non-clinical services, as a critical enabler to deliver Best Care for the people in the West.

Developed in 2022, the purpose of the Digital Strategy is to:

• Clearly define priorities for the coming years to support the achievement the vision and strategic directions in line with the WH Strategic Direction 2021-2023;
• Guide decision making, and steer new initiatives and opportunities that might emerge over the coming years; and
• Set out the order and timeframes to improve how we work and deliver services, in the most reliable, efficient and safe way with a better experience for all ‘customers’ (patients and families, staff, system partners and government)

To learn more, you can access the Western Health Digital Strategy via the Digital Health site or on the Western Health website.

An initiative has commenced focused on the optimisation of the EMR functionality related to Adult and Women’s and Children’s Specialist Clinics.

Several working groups have been established to drive this important initiative, with the Digital Health team working closely with clinical staff and Oracle Health to make changes that improve the usability of the EMR and associated systems.

At a high level, key focus areas include improving the functionality and workflows linked to referral and waitlist management, patient and general practitioner communications, face up display of information, billing and ongoing reporting.

Work is underway on an EMR Diabetes Dashboard, designed to enhance the management of diabetes care for patients at Western Health.

To kick off this innovative project, the initial focus is on establishing a comprehensive longitudinal care record within the EMR system for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This foundational step sets the stage for improved continuity of patient care.

A dedicated PowerForm will be developed to document diabetes assessments by the Endocrine team. Clinicians will then have convenient access to these records through an mPage.

The Diabetes Dashboard is set to revolutionise the way we utilise EMR data by integrating information from all Western Health patients. This holistic approach aims to provide valuable insights into the diverse health needs of our community.

The pilot phase for these EMR tools is scheduled to commence in February 2024. Stay tuned for upcoming communications as we embark on this transformative journey in diabetes care!

The Critical Care Dashboard project is underway, providing a Millennium-based, high acuity flowsheet view for the Critical Care-based care team members. This innovative tool aggregates critical patient data from diverse sources, presenting it in a visually intuitive format, be it graphical or tabular.

This unique view facilitates the rapid compilation of pertinent information, enabling swift interpretation and response to the patient’s condition.

The aim is for all sites, services and professionals in the Intensive Care Units (Footscray and Sunshine) to have access to and be able to use the Critical Care Dashboards from the end of Quarter 1 in 2024.

EMR mobility applications are a key feature of EMR Phase 2, focusing on providing clinicians with easier access to clinical information, especially at the point of care when they are working with patients.

A three-month pilot of PowerChart Touch recently concluded, with more than 150 medical and Allied Health staff participating, who had access to the EMR on a handheld device or a smartphone.

Feedback from clinicians participating in the pilot highlighted many efficiencies of using PowerChart Touch to review their patient’s chart, complete some documentation (including via dictation), send secure messages via the Message Centre and capture secure clinical photography on the go.

Stay tuned for further information on the rollout of PowerChart Touch during Quarter 1, 2024!

The Bacchus Marsh Melton (BMM) Digital Health Transition Project will aid the flow of healthcare information across the organisation and support seamless, safe and effective care.

“Introduction to the EMR” Drop-in Sessions commenced on-site at Bacchus Marsh and Melton on 15^th January 2024 and will run until 9^th February 2024.

These in-person and online sessions introduce the basic functions of the EMR to staff who have never used the EMR before and are an optional first step in the EMR learning journey, before the in-depth training sessions. The sessions are general and apply to all staff who will be using the EMR.

More than 155 BMM staff across the Bacchus Marsh and Melton sites have already attended the drop-in sessions during January 2024.

Each week, the EMR Training team will focus on different features of the EMR.  We completely understand that everyone’s availability will be different, so there are two sessions offered every day so you can attend the time that suits you best.  Attendance at any session, in any week, will be a helpful introduction to the EMR. There’s no need to book in advance, simply turn up and register on the day!

You can view the full schedule on the Digital Health site.

As part of the Bacchus Marsh Melton (BMM) Digital Health Transition Project, more than 40 BMM staff have undertaken the initial phase of EMR ‘View Only’ training during January 2024. A further 80 staff are scheduled to complete the training in the coming weeks.

The two-hour training sessions have focused on familiarising BMM staff who are required to have ‘view only’ access to patient records, to ensure that patient care is managed seamlessly across Western Health’s sites.

Further EMR ‘View-Only’ training sessions are planned during February and March 2024, in advance of the formal training that will take place in advance of Go-live.

This training can also be completed on Welearn by searching for “EMR for View Only” Course from the Welearn Course Catalogue.

BMM staff who require ‘View Only’ access to the EMR, should speak to their manager who will arrange access via the DTS Service Desk and attend a face-to-face training session.

Managers can organise face-to-face ‘View Only’ EMR training for their teams by emailing the EMR trainers at WHS-EMRTrainers@wh.org.au

EMR ‘View Only’ Training at Bacchus Marsh and Melton sites. 

Recruitment is now underway for the BMM Super User team who will be vital in providing support in the lead-up to and throughout the BMM Digital Health Transition Project Go-Live.

We’ve had more than 50 BMM staff sign-up to be part of our Digital Health Super User team, however we’re still looking for more people! We are aiming to recruit a range of Super Users, from across BMM and across all disciplines.  Further information on how BMM staff can sign up to be a Super User can be found on the BMM Digital Health Transition site.

During February 2024, our EMR Change team will hold a focus group session with Super Users from BMM and other Western Health sites, to share learnings from EMR Phase 2.1 and shape the change activities to support the BMM Go-Live.

If this is something you might like to participate in, look out for an EOI to be part of the focus group session in February 2024.

The Digital Health team works with other teams across Western Health to support many applications and systems.

The first point of contact for all information, technology and clinical application issues is the DTS Service Desk at Servicedesk@wh.org.au or 03 8345 6777.

Further information on the clinical applications and systems managed by the Digital Health team is available on the Support page

The Digital Health Learning and Development team are progressively reviewing and updating relevant eLearning modules within WeLearn.

A new WeLearn module is now available for all staff needing to use BOSSnet at Footscray, Sunshine, Williamstown and Sunbury.  The 30-minute eLearning module is designed to provide staff with the skills and knowledge required to use BOSSnet, the Digital Medical Record (DMR) effectively in your role.

To access this training, simply search for “BOSSnet” in your Welearn Course Catalogue and enroll for the course.

For further information on Digital Health learning, please contact the Digital Health Learning and Development team at WHS-EMRTrainers@wh.org.au.

EMR Training Queries – contact the Digital Health Learning & Development Team: WHS-EMRTrainers@wh.org.au

Super User Queries – contact the EMR Change team: DHSuperUsers@wh.org.au

Key Digital Health Team Contacts – visit the Key Contacts page on the Digital Health information site.

A reminder the Digital Health information site is the central source of EMR and Digital Health information, including the latest news and updates, Quick Reference Guides and other support materials.