Downtime
Upcoming IT Downtimes
Click each item to expand for more details.
Thursday, Sept. 4 (10 p.m.) to Friday, Sept. 5 (4 a.m.): Network Maintenance (HMCCH, HMTW, HMW, HMWB)
You may experience intermittent internet and application access slowness, lasting up to 60 seconds.
Save your work often during this maintenance time.
If your Cisco phone disconnects, please hang up and try again.
If network drives & icons are missing, please reboot the machine.
Saturday, Sept. 6 (2-5 a.m.): IT Support Website
The IT Support website may experience slowness due to system maintenance.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 (7-7:30 p.m.): GE PACS
GE PACS will be unavailable for system maintenance.
During this time:
- 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 this period.
- 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.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 (8 p.m.) to Wednesday, Sept. 10 (2 a.m.): GE Muse
GE Muse will be unavailable for a system upgrade.
During the upgrade you won’t be able to:
- View studies in Muse.
- Send ECGs, Holters and stress tests to Muse. (Any ECGs performed during downtime will remain on the cart until connectivity is restored. Please follow downtime procedures.)
- Transmit reports (Preliminary and Final) to Epic.
After the downtime:
- ECG cart connectivity will be restored, and all pending ECGs will be sent to Muse.
- New icons will be available and will need to be added back to your desktop. To add Muse back to your desktop, click here for instructions.
- You’ll now be able to log in to Muse using your Windows login. To log in to muse, click here for instructions.
Thursday, Sept. 11 (5 a.m.) – 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 (4 a.m.): Some Epic Personalization Features
Some Epic personalization features will be unavailable, and no changes or enhancements can be made until 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. You’ll still be able to work in Epic as usual, but you won’t be able to do the following:
• Apply filters in Chart Review.
• Create, edit and share NoteWriter macros, SmartPhrases and SmartLinks.
• Create and edit In Basket QuickActions.
Saturday, Sept. 13 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.): LaborWorkx
No access to LaborWorkx portal and mobile app.
Sunday, Sept. 14 (2-4 a.m.): Epic
Epic will be unavailable. During the downtime:
- Access Epic Read-Only.
- Data in Epic Read-Only is current until the downtime begins.
- You can’t document or place orders in Epic Read-Only.
- For more details, review the Downtime | Houston Methodist.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 (7-7:30 p.m.): GE PACS
GE PACS will be unavailable for system maintenance.
During this time:
- 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 this period.
- 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.