Project Update: Cerner’s Patient Flow System

Cerner’s Capacity Management Patient Flow system will be implemented hospital-wide on Dec. 15, 2015. This new electronic bed management system will greatly improve patient throughput and increase both staff and patient satisfaction.

Learning Lab

In preparation for this system implementation, which will affect the workflows of several groups, Learning Labs will be continued through Dec. 14. Please see the table below for the learning lab schedule. These labs are open to all and will provide additional hands-on practice for those who will be utilizing the system. Labs will be conducted by Kelly Olson (kolson@gru.edu) and Billy Cleveland (wcleveland@gru.edu).

Learning Lab Schedule

Online Learning

If staff members’ roles are affected by this system, they will be assigned an online learning course that is due to be completed by Dec. 14. If they have been enrolled in the course, they will receive a confirmation email from HUMANRESOURCES_TRAINING. Please make sure these lessons are completed; the training will help tremendously.

Go Live Support

The process for Go Live Support is as follows:

• Super users will be available on all shifts, all units.
  • They will be identified by wearing a red “Go Live Support Button.”
• Please work with super users first when questions arise.
• If a super user is unable to assist or resolve the issue, please contact the Command Center at 706-721-7455.
• The Command Center will open at 6 a.m. on Dec. 15 and run through Dec. 29 with 24-hour-a-day operation.
  • The project manager and phone support resources will reside in BT 1813.
  • Any changes to the Command Center schedule will be shared with department managers, nurse managers and leadership.
• Subject matter experts will also be rounding on day and evening shifts.
  • Night shift subject matter experts will be available as needed.

Feature/Function Tips

Attributes

Patient Attributes are a feature of the Patient Flow system which will help staff identify patients with particular or specific needs. Examples of attributes include isolation, fall risk, 1-to-1 sitter, suicide precaution and VIP. Each attribute is associated with an icon that will be displayed on the Patient List.

Personalized Perspectives

Users can customize their view of the system to include specific units of interest. Within each view, users can customize the visible columns with relevant information such as patient type, attending physician, hospital services, length of stay, etc. Both the content and the content layout can be tailored to meet user needs. Users’ views will be blank when they log into the system for the first time. Therefore, it is highly recommended that users log in prior to Go Live to customize their views. If there are any issues, please stop by the Learning Lab for assistance.

Automated Transport and Housekeeping Requests

Transport and housekeeping resources will be using iPods to receive, accept and complete jobs. For example, if a housekeeping request is submitted via the system, an alert is put in queue and sent to a designated housekeeper via the iPod. This process automation will eliminate numerous phone calls. Please keep in mind that Teletracking will no longer be used for transport requests.

If a staff member utilizes transportation services and has not been involved with any discussions regarding the transition from Teletracking to Cerner Patient Flow, please contact Billy Cleveland, bed management lead, at wcleveland@gru.edu.