Neurology task force prepares department for transition

Group meets monthly to stay informed about developments

The implementation of CareConnect's clinical functions at UCLA's neurology clinics is nearly two years away, but at the end of November faculty and staff members got the first glimpse of a map showing where various devices -- workstations, printers, and scanners -- will be placed in the neurology suite at 300 Medical Plaza.

The clinics will be using CareConnect on July 1, 2012, for patient access and billing. To make sure they're ready for the rollout, CareConnect is developing device placement maps for each one. To create these, CareConnect’s ambulatory team typically meets with the clinic manager, lead physician, and IT manager of the site. A clinic walkthrough is conducted to see what devices will be needed and where they will be located within each room. Device maps will be reviewed by clinic representatives before construction documents are finalized.

The suite in 300 Medical Plaza is one of 15 neurology sites that will use CareConnect. Faculty and staff from the neurology department saw the device map at a Nov. 30 meeting of a task force they formed to smooth the way for the implementation of CareConnect.

“CareConnect is a complex system, and I think every time you implement a system as complicated as this, there needs to be communication and continued dialogue throughout the process –- discussions about what is on the table, what decisions are being made –- and we want the faculty and staff to have an opportunity to evaluate the options, make recommendations and suggestions,” said Marc Nuwer, MD, a chairperson of the task force and director of the neurology clinical neurophysiology program.

Made up of 13 faculty and staff members from the health system and school of medicine, the group is co-led by Barbara Giesser, MD, vice chair of education and clinical affairs. It meets monthly to make sure everyone’s informed about CareConnect and prepared for the implementation.

Although nearly every one of the clinics -- including the neurology clinics -- will begin using CareConnect for patient access and billing on July 1, 2012, CareConnect’s clinical functionality will be rolled out in 13 waves from July 2012 through September 2013. Largely because of the complexity of the specialty, neurology will be in one the last waves to implement CareConnect’s clinical functions –- clinical documentation and computerized physician order entry. (See the story on the ambulatory rollout schedule.)

Nuwer said it is important for faculty and staff to remain engaged as CareConnect is implemented throughout the health system.

“Everybody understands CareConnect is coming. It has been promoted widely throughout the institution as a system that will dramatically change the way all of us work,” Nuwer said. “The system will also have a significant impact on research and patient care. Being involved early on in the process will allow us to minimize the problems we experience and maximize our efficiency through this transition. Let’s see how we can do this.”

Click here to see the CareConnect Ambulatory Technology Requirements document.

Questions or comments? Send us a message through the Contact Us page on the CareConnect website or send us an email at CareConnect@mednet.ucla.edu.

At the Neurology CareConnect Task Force meeting on Nov. 30, members of the group had an opportunity to review a device placement map showing where computer workstations, printers, and scanners will be placed in the neurology suite in the 300 Medical Plaza building.	Alon Avidan, MD, (far left) medical director of the neurology clinic in Westwood and director of the Sleep Lab Disorders Center; Roberta Rey, (right) assistant to the chair of the department of neurology; and Marc Nuwer, MD, (far right) director of the neurology clinical neurophysiology program and chairperson of the task force; listen in as Annie Infante, (center) CareConnect's ambulatory readiness analyst, answers a question at the meeting.
Annie Infante, (left) CareConnect's ambulatory readiness analyst; and Roberta Rey, (right) assistant to the chair of the department of neurology, listen at the meeting.	Members of the Neurology CareConnect Task Force get a brief update from representatives from CareConnect's ambulatory clinicals team.
Dr. Nuwer, (left) makes a point as Dr. Avidan, (center) and Allan Wu, MD, (right) assistant professor of neurology, look on.	Drs. Wu (left) and Avidan (right) review a device placement map at the meeting.