November 12, 2020

eStar Updates & Changes announced

Viewing Infection Status from non-VUMC Hospitals

Beginning November 15, eStar users will be able to see infection status from non-VUMC hospitals (if that hospital uses Epic).

Users should click Care Everywhere icon and then “Request Updates” in the patient’s Storyboard. Some additional details:

  • Infection preventionists may add external infection as internal infection, if wanted (use VUMC-mapped infections)
  • Clinical Decision Support for outside infections is not enabled until the Infection Preventionist adds them as a VUMC-mapped infection
  • External COVID infections also appear in Storyboard (must also be documented as internal active infection)

See Tip Sheet “Viewing Infection Statuses from External Hospitals” for more information.

 

Pre-Op Changes

Beginning November 11, chnages are coming to eStar that include updates to:

  1. Pre-Op Holding phase of care name
  2. Pre-op Activity
  3. Case Request order

These changes are necessary to:

  • Facilitate best practice peri-op ordering workflow
  • Give clear indication to nursing to which surgical phase of care peri-op order should be released

1.     The Pre-op Holding Phase of Care is now titled: Pre-op (Holding, ICU/Floor)

  • Indicates pre-op orders should be released in pre-op phase (not necessarily in pre-op holding room)
  • Ex: If patient does not go to holding room, the ICU/floor becomes pre-op phase and nurse should release orders at appropriate time (when notified by provider)

2.     Changes to Pre-Op activity (will make this activity more consistent with other activity tabs (e.g., Admission and Discharge):

  • Pre-op Navigator now has Orders section embedded
    • No need to go to Orders Activity to enter orders
    • Reduces likelihood of entering surgical orders on inpatient admission
  • H&P section name now Problem Oriented Charting

 

3.     Changes to Case Request order (not hard stops but enter information for best practice):

  • Case Classification now defaults to Elective
    • Elective now only choice (OR Board can change Case Classification if needed)
  • Two new fields: 
    • Expected Length of Stay (Days) allows operations to plan for capacity
    • Post Discharge Needs enhances communications during patient stay as well as discharge planning
  • Latex Allergy and Postop Destination fields must also be documented for patient safety and to help plan patient stay