Downtime
Upcoming IT Downtimes
Click each item to expand for more details.
Wednesday, April 2 (8-8:05 p.m.): Epic Pause
Epic will experience a brief “system pause” for up to five minutes starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.
- 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.
Epic Downtime Resources
Epic Downtime Manual
Downtime Order Sets
Learn more.
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.
