Downtime
Upcoming IT Downtimes
Click each item to expand for more details.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 (10 p.m.): Windows 11 25H2 Upgrade (HMCL and HMSL only)
- Beginning at 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, eligible Windows devices at HMCL and HMSL will be upgraded to Windows 11 25H2.
- To help avoid disruptions, leave your device powered on and connected to the network overnight, or install the upgrade early if your device is eligible. For complete details and installation instructions, read this page on The HUB.
Wednesday Nov. 4 (8 p.m.) – Thursday, Nov. 5 (2 a.m.): Cardio WebPAX
- WebPAX will be unavailable.
- Please complete your work and log out of Cardio WebPax before the downtime begins.
- To access images during the downtime, use SyngoVia or the VNA.
- For questions, please email IT-CardioCath@houstonmethodist.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8-8:05 p.m.): Epic System Pause
At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, Epic will experience a brief system pause for up to five minutes.
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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.
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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.
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Vitals and data will be stored during the pause and will flow into Epic after the pause.
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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. 5 (2-4 a.m.): Press Ganey iRound
- The Press Ganey iRound application will be unavailable.
- To ensure rounds are documented, submit forms before or after maintenance takes place.
- For questions, please contact your local patient experience specialist.
Saturday, Nov. 7 (8-8:45 p.m.): PowerScribe
PowerScribe One (PSO) will have two scheduled downtimes for an upgrade and move to the Houston Methodist Colo data center. This will help strengthen security, reduce slowdowns and improve data reliability and Epic connectivity.
From 8-8:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7:
- PSO will be unavailable while its data is backed up.
- Once service is restored, radiologists can resume reporting until the second downtime.
- Click here for complete details, including what to do before, during and after the downtime.
Sunday, Nov. 8 (1-5 a.m.): PowerScribe
PowerScribe One (PSO) will have two scheduled downtimes for an upgrade and move to the Houston Methodist Colo data center. This will help strengthen security, reduce slowdowns and improve data reliability and Epic connectivity.
From 1-5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8:
- PSO will be unavailable for the final upgrade and move.
- This work is expected to take about two hours, with an additional two hours reserved for potential delays.
- Click here for complete details, including what to do before, during and after the downtime.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 (10 p.m.): Windows 11 25H2 Upgrade (HMB only)
- Beginning at 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10, eligible Windows devices at HMB will be upgraded to Windows 11 25H2.
- To help avoid disruptions, leave your device powered on and connected to the network overnight, or install the upgrade early if your device is eligible. For complete details and installation instructions, read this page on The HUB.
Thursday, Nov. 12 (7-9 p.m.): Press Ganey Maintenance (affects multiple applications)
Several Press Ganey applications will undergo maintenance and may be intermittently unavailable. This includes:
- iRound
- PGFusion
- Employee Experience Results Dashboards
- Member Experience Dashboards
- Brand Experience
- Foundations
- Action Management
- Patient Journey
- NDNQI
TAPS/Workplace Violence Reporting is expected to remain available.
Thursday, Nov. 12 (11:55 p.m.) – Friday, Nov. 13 (5 a.m.): LaborWorkx
- LaborWorkx portal and mobile app will be unavailable, but badge reader will be available.
- Prior to the downtime, print any required work or schedule-related items.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 (10 p.m.): Windows 11 25H2 Upgrade (HMH only)
- Beginning at 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, eligible Windows devices at HMH will be upgraded to Windows 11 25H2.
- To help avoid disruptions, leave your device powered on and connected to the network overnight, or install the upgrade early if your device is eligible. For complete details and installation instructions, read this page on The HUB.
During a downtime:
Use Epic Read-Only to view data. Access Epic Read-Only from your desktop or through epic.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.
- Team Activations:
- To locate the on-call physician: Refer to the QGenda Houston Methodist System On-Call page.
- STEMI and ELVO: Follow your local downtime process. Use the QGenda Houston Methodist On-Call page.
- Stroke/Telestroke: Locate the on-call provider and call them directly. Review the Telestroke Downtime Process document for the complete process.
After a 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.
Epic Downtime Resources
Clinical Reference Documents (click to expand)
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
Epic Downtime Manual
Comprehensive role- and service-line based processes and functions required to maintain patient care during a downtime and recovery process.
Downtime Order Sets
Printable versions of order sets available in Epic. Intended as a guide during downtime when handwriten orders on blank order forms are needed.
Access Downtime Order Sets.
Epic Downtime Quick Reference Checklist
A condensed snapshot of the most essential information you need to know in the event of scheduled or unscheduled Epic downtime.
Epic Downtime CSN Numbers
Pre-designated CSN number ranges, that flag if a patient was admitted/arrived during a downtime, are assigned by your facility’s Downtime CSN site administrator. (Contact your administator for more information.)
Online Downtime Resources
Epic Read-Only
Available on most Epic-enabled workstations and through epic.houstonmethodist.org. 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 SPG/PCG 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.
