QI in Action eBulletin # 106: COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility – EMR Searches for Primary Care

In this Issue:

• EMR Searches for Primary Care
• eConsult Specialty Groups
• Share your COVID-19 Initiatives
• Upcoming Webinars

EMR Searches for Primary Care
To support primary care with COVID-19 vaccination during Phase Two of Ontario’s roll out strategy, the team at the eHealth Centre of Excellence can provide EMR searches that enable clinicians to more efficiently identify and prioritize ambulatory patients from their roster who are in greatest need of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Searches are now available for Telus PS Suite, Oscar and Accuro EMRs. Searches prioritize patients according to the eligibility criteria outlined in the Ministry of Health’s provincial Phase Two vaccination roll-out plan.

The three searches created prioritise patients according to highest risk, high risk and at-risk populations.

To download these searches, please join the community portal.

eConsult Specialty Groups

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, OTN and the eConsult Centre of Excellence in partnership with Public Health, OMA, OntarioMD, Ontario Health and the MOH have created new specialty groups;

• a COVID-19 BASE^TM managed eConsult specialty group. This group enables physicians and nurse practitioners to ask general clinical questions to infectious disease specialist electronically and receive a response within days. The COVID-19 BASE™ Managed Specialty Group is now available province-wide.
• a COVID-19 – Allergy/Immunology BASE™ Managed Specialty Group. This group enables physicians and nurse practitioners to ask COVID-19 vaccine allergy related clinical questions to Allergy and Clinical Immunology specialists electronically and receive a response within days.
• a COVID-19 and Pregnancy BASE™ Managed Specialty Group. This group enables physicians and nurse practitioners to ask COVID-19 and Pregnancy related clinical questions to Obstetrics specialists electronically and receive a response within days.
• a COVID-19 and Autoimmune Disorders BASE™ Managed Specialty Group. This group enables physicians and nurse practitioners to ask COVID-19 and Autoimmune Disorders related clinical questions to Rheumatology specialists electronically and receive a response within days.

These are the only group that allows for population-based, non-patient specific clinical questions. Specialists can answer both patient-specific and general questions about COVID-19.

• For non-patient specific questions please enter the patient information as follows:
  • First Name: COVID19
  • Last Name: COVID19
  • Date of Birth: 1900-01-01
  • Select OHIP number not available
• Please note: Patient screening for COVID-19 must still be done through Public Health Services. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario, visit Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario.
• If you would like to sign up for eConsult, visit www.otnhub.ca or complete the Intake Form and someone can assist you.
• If you need a refresher on how to submit an eConsult, you can watch the training video here.

Tell us what COVID-19 initiatives you’re proud of!
News is that COVID-19 has been rapidly evolving- and so are your teams!
AFHTO is committed to advocating for your teams by amplifying stories of your team’s efforts, pandemic or not. Tell us what your team is doing to continue providing care to your patients, whether it’s:

–    COVID-19 vaccination efforts
–    Adaptations to your programs or clinic
–    New programs emerging from newly recognized demands
–    Stories of collaboration with other organizations or the community
… or any other initiatives your team is proud of- we want to hear from you.

Submit your COVID-19 stories & photos here, OR tag us on Facebook or Twitter
… and we could be celebrating your team’s work next!

Upcoming Webinars:

Respiratory Care During COVID-19: What Have We Learned One Year Later
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | In collaboration with the LUNG HEALTH FOUNDATION
This webinar will highlight practice changes and considerations for the diagnosis and management of chronic lung diseases such as COPD. This includes highlighting the challenges of respiratory diagnostics such as spirometry testing and policies and changes that were needed to provide a safe testing environment. Additionally, the webinar will highlight clinical resources and community support programs provided by the Lung Health Foundation to support primary care practices and their patients.
For more info and to register, click here.

In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #105 or other back issues here!
Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.