Downtime
Upcoming IT Downtimes
Click each item to expand for more details.
Wednesday, Nov. 12 (10 p.m.) - Thursday, Nov. 13 (4 a.m.): GE PACS
GE PACS will be unavailable for system maintenance.
During the downtimes:
- Radiology Image Access:
- GE PACS will be unavailable for viewing radiology images.
- Images processed prior to the downtime will remain accessible via ZFP through the image link in Epic Chart Review. Please be aware that ZFP may experience intermittent slowness during these periods.
- Radiology Results:
- Finalized radiology reports completed before the downtime will continue to be available in Epic Chart Review.
- Ordering Workflow:
- There are no changes to standard Epic workflows for ordering radiology procedures.
- Ordering providers should include a reliable call-back phone number in the order instructions to facilitate timely communication of emergent imaging results.
- Providers are encouraged to remain diligent in ordering appropriate radiologic exams during the downtime to ensure continuity of care.
- Radiology Departmental Procedures:
- Radiology departments will follow established downtime protocols. Contingency measures are in place to ensure radiologists can access and interpret emergent exams.
Thursday, Nov. 13 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.): Guest Wi-Fi, care.ai and BioIntellisense (HMW)
You may experience intermittent guest internet and care.ai slowness, lasting up to 30 seconds. Save your work often during the time.
Devices connected to Guest Wi-Fi and networks supporting patient room technologies, including care.ai and BioIntellisense will experience two to three brief disruptions (up to 10 seconds each).
After the downtime, if network drives and icons are missing, please reboot the machine.
Thursday, Nov. 13 (9 a.m. -1 p.m.): Guest Wi-Fi (HMWB only)
Guest Wi-Fi may experience application and network slowness for approx. 1 minute, up to six times during the maintenance window.
Thursday, Nov. 13 (11:55 p.m.) - Friday, Nov. 14 (5 a.m.): LaborWorkx
The LaborWorkx portal and mobile app will be unavailable due to maintenance. Badge readers will still be available.
Print any required work- or schedule-related items prior to the downtime.
Friday Nov. 14 (10 p.m.) to Saturday Nov. 15 (5 a.m.): LMS SuccessFactors
LMS SuccessFactors will be unavailable due to maintenance.
Saturday Nov. 15 (10-11 p.m.): LMS SuccessFactors
LMS SuccessFactors will be unavailable due to maintenance.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 (7-11:59 p.m.): Network Maintenance (Remote Mammography Radiologists, Magnolia ECC and JCC/Tuckerton clinics only)
You may experience 2-3 brief interruptions, lasting up to 10 seconds. Save your work often during this time.
If network drives and icons are missing, please reboot your computer.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 (10 p.m.) - Wednesday, Nov. 19 (4 a.m.): GE PACS
GE PACS will be unavailable for system maintenance.
During the downtimes:
- Radiology Image Access:
- GE PACS will be unavailable for viewing radiology images.
- Images processed prior to the downtime will remain accessible via ZFP through the image link in Epic Chart Review. Please be aware that ZFP may experience intermittent slowness during these periods.
- Radiology Results:
- Finalized radiology reports completed before the downtime will continue to be available in Epic Chart Review.
- Ordering Workflow:
- There are no changes to standard Epic workflows for ordering radiology procedures.
- Ordering providers should include a reliable call-back phone number in the order instructions to facilitate timely communication of emergent imaging results.
- Providers are encouraged to remain diligent in ordering appropriate radiologic exams during the downtime to ensure continuity of care.
- Radiology Departmental Procedures:
- Radiology departments will follow established downtime protocols. Contingency measures are in place to ensure radiologists can access and interpret emergent exams.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.): Guest Wi-Fi, care.ai and BioIntellisense (HMCCH)
You may experience intermittent guest internet and care.ai slowness, lasting up to 30 seconds. Save your work often during the time.
Devices connected to Guest Wi-Fi and networks supporting patient room technologies, including care.ai and BioIntellisense will experience two to three brief disruptions (up to 10 seconds each).
After the downtime, if network drives and icons are missing, please reboot the machine.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8-8:05 p.m.): Epic Pause
Epic will experience a brief system pause for up to five minutes starting at 8 p.m.
No changes starting at 5 a.m. Some Epic personalization features will be unavailable, and no changes or enhancements can be made through 8:05 p.m. You’ll still be able to work in Epic as usual, but you won’t be able to apply filters in Chart Review, create, edit and share NoteWriter macros, SmartPhrases and SmartLinks or create and edit InBasket QuickActions.
If you’re logged in to Epic during the pause, a pop-up screen will appear, advising you that the pause is taking place. You won’t be able to proceed until the pause is complete. When the pop-up screen disappears, you can resume work where you left off, without any data loss.
Vitals and data will be stored during the pause and will flow into Epic after the pause.
If you attempt to log in to Epic during the pause, you’ll be able to enter your user ID and password, but Epic won’t fully open until the pause is complete.
Thursday, Nov. 20 (9-11 a.m.): Sickbay and Nihon Kohden Servers (HMCL, HMCY, HMW, HMTW and Central Telemetry Monitoring)
Sickbay and Nihon Kohden servers will undergo monthly security maintenance.
Prior to 9 a.m., ensure that local mode is enabled on the telemetry monitors. MDI analysts will be on site to assist. (HMTW devices will automatically switch to local mode)
During the maintenance period, Sickbay and NK central stations will experience a 3-5 minute disconnect as servers are rebooted.
After the update, remember to turn off local mode on the telemetry monitors to preserve the expected 24-hr battery lifespan.
Thursday, Dec. 4 (10 p.m.) - Friday, Dec. 5 (4 a.m.): GE PACS
GE PACS will be unavailable for system maintenance.
During the downtimes:
- Radiology Image Access:
- GE PACS will be unavailable for viewing radiology images.
- Images processed prior to the downtime will remain accessible via ZFP through the image link in Epic Chart Review. Please be aware that ZFP may experience intermittent slowness during these periods.
- Radiology Results:
- Finalized radiology reports completed before the downtime will continue to be available in Epic Chart Review.
- Ordering Workflow:
- There are no changes to standard Epic workflows for ordering radiology procedures.
- Ordering providers should include a reliable call-back phone number in the order instructions to facilitate timely communication of emergent imaging results.
- Providers are encouraged to remain diligent in ordering appropriate radiologic exams during the downtime to ensure continuity of care.
- Radiology Departmental Procedures:
- Radiology departments will follow established downtime protocols. Contingency measures are in place to ensure radiologists can access and interpret emergent exams.
Epic Downtime Resources
Epic Downtime Manual
Downtime Order Sets
Learn more.
Clinical Reference Documents
CRRT Electrolyte Replacement Protocol (V4 09-2023)
Hypoglycemia Algorithm (V2.03172022)
ICU Electrolyte Protocol AGGRESSIVE Magnesium
ICU Electrolyte Protocol NORMAL Magnesium Supplementation
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM1
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM2
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM3
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM4
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM5
ICUInsulinGoal110-140ALGORITHM6
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM1
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM2
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM3
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM4
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM5
ICUInsulinGoal140-180ALGORITHM6
IMUInsulinGoal110-180MEDIUMDOSE
Nurse Driven Indwelling Urethral Catheter Management Protocol (V15 11-03-20)
Patient Record of Bedside Insulin Pump and Blood Glucose (v2023)
Patient Supplied Insulin Pump or CGM Agreement Form
Pressure Injury Prevention Support Surface Decision Guide (V062822)
Tenecteplase for Stroke Dosing Card.pdf
During a downtime:
Use Epic Read-Only to view data. Access Epic Read-Only from your desktop or through access.houstonmethodist.org. If you don’t see the Epic Read-Only icon, click here for instructions on how to add it to your desktop.
- No orders may process to PACS or the transcription system. Interpretation of studies will be managed per each department’s defined downtime process.
- Data may not flow into Epic from mobile vital signs machines, dialysis machines, bedside monitors, ventilators or anesthesia carts.
- Epic Read-Only will not receive Caregility alerts and camera links will not be available. Use the Caregility portal.
- Sickbay risk scores that include lab data will be impacted and the New Admission Queue will not be available.
Epic Downtime Quick Reference Checklist

Epic Downtime CSN Numbers
Contact your administator for more information.
After the downtime:
Radiology and Cardiology:
- Enter orders in Epic based on the downtime paper requisitions/downtime log.
- Process orders using standard workflows and prepare them for interpretation.
- Downtime studies will be read using the defined interpretation method for each department.
Medical Devices:
- Manually enter all vital sign data captured during the downtime when Epic is back up.
- Any new vital sign data collected after the downtime will automatically integrate with Epic.
Online Downtime Resources
Epic Read-Only
Available on most Epic-enabled workstations and through the Apps Portal. This is a view-only system, so new documentation or orders can’t be added. Data is up to date as of the time when Epic went down. You’ll have limited access to patient data, but can still view active orders and the MAR, print patient labels and arm bands.
BCA Web
Access essential downtime reports from any workstation when you have internet access but Epic and Epic Read-Only are not available. View and print a current census or limited clinical summaries with data for each patient, including active orders, recent results and vitals. Also provides a printable downtime MAR for each patient and a respiratory patient summary.
Reports are automatically updated every 30 minutes for ICU patients and every two hours for non-ICU patients. Department Appointment Reports (including patient schedules for the next four weeks) for outpatient and PCG/SPG clinics are updated daily.
BCA Printing / Downtime Computer
Similar reporting functionality as BCA Web, but available from your unit’s designated downtime computer when internet access is not available. Your unit’s device will also have access to reports for sister units above and below you, in the event their system has issues. Because the computer is hardwired to a designated printer, you can mass print all reports for your unit and distribute patient data to the appropriate clinicians or staff.


