Connect Care Manual - PAC Optimization Project

Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Optimization Project - Information and Supports

The PAC Optimization Project will launch on October 21, 2025, and will bring important updates to pre-procedure workflows that directly affect prescribers across surgical and non-surgical specialties. These changes are designed to improve scheduling accuracy, reduce late cancellations, and streamline ordering.

This project affects over 3,500 prescribers across Alberta, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, proceduralists, and others. The CMIO Prescriber Experience and Training Team is committed to supporting you through these changes. Below is a summary of the changes and various supports that will be made available for prescribers. More details will be added here when available/closer to the launch date.

Key Changes for Prescribers (click to expand/collapse)

Prescribers will see updates to:

Case Request Order: New questions and layout changes to better capture patient needs and reduce preventable delays (see the screenshot).
PAC Appointment Request: Now a standalone order, making it easier to schedule PAC assessments independently or as part of a preprocedure set (see the screenshot).
PAC Orders in Preprocedure Sets: All PAC orders (such as patient instructions and lab orders) will now be signed and held. This allows PAC clinicians to release them closer to the surgical date and contact patients with timely instructions for testing and preparation. It also eliminates the use of paper requisitions.
Preprocedure Order Sets: Surgical and non-surgical sets will be revised with new and updated orders. A full list of impacted order sets as well as order groups that may be impacted is below.
- - NOTE!: These changes will break existing personalization, so prescribers will need to re-personalize their order sets.
  - Order sets impacted:

Brachytherapy Preprocedure Adult
Bronchoscopy Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Postprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Surgery Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiology Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Postprocedure (Post PCI) Adult
Central Venous Catheter Insertion Pediatric
CVICU ECMO/VAD Preprocedure Adult
DI Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Diabetes Management Preprocedure Pediatric
Early Pregnancy Loss Inpatient
Endocrine Management Preprocedure Pediatric
Endoscopy Preprocedure Adult
GI Preprocedure Pediatric
Islet Cell Transplant Preprocedure Adult
Neurosurgery Preprocedure Adult
Oncology Pediatric Admission
Oncology Procedures Pediatric
Preprocedure Management of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Adult
Solid Organ Abdominopelvic Transplant Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Solid Organ Cardiothoracic Transplant Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
TAVI Preprocedure Adult
Therapeutic Abortion Preprocedure
Anesthesia Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Bowel Preparation Preprocedure Adult
Dental Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Hip Fracture Preprocedure Adult
Ophthalmology Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Preprocedure Adult
Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Adult Preprocedure
Orthopedic Surgery/Trauma Preprocedure Adult
Surgery Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Urology Preprocedure Adult
EZ Lung Transplant Evaluation - Outpatient
Heart Transplant Evaluation - Outpatient
LD Transplant Recipient Pre-Admission
Early Pregnancy Loss Outpatient
Pediatric BMT Allogeneic Workup (Smart Set)
Pediatric BMT Autologous Workup (Smart Set)
Pediatric BMT Donor Pre-Collection

Order groups that may be impacted:
- - Admission Order Group: Addition of Admit to Inpatient + Observation Bed Request
  - Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Orders: Fasting Guidelines (PAC Diet Pediatric), Diet and Nutrition Adult, Patient Education, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure, PAC Referrals (new PAC Appointment Request order)
  - Before Day of Procedure Orders: POCT Glucose, Notify MRHP, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure
  - Day of Procedure Orders: Diet and Nutrition Pediatric, Diet and Nutrition Adult, POCT Glucose, Notify MRHP, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure

Support for Re-Personalization (click to expand/collapse)

To help prescribers navigate these changes, there will be various levels of support available:

Virtual Drop-in Room:
- - October 21-24 & October 27-31, 08:00-16:00
  - Zoom sessions will be available at the above dates/times for help identifying updated orders and re-personalizing sets.
  - Access information including the Zoom link will be added to this page closer to launch, and posters with a direct QR code will also be distributed for easy access.
Help Desk Support:
- - Starting October 21, prescribers can submit tickets or call for assistance, including after hours.
Premade Preprocedure Order Sets:
- - To help prescribers and medical office assistants (MOAs) get over the hump of launch week, the Physician Design Lead (PDL), Dr. Alan Sobey, will have premade order sets available in the system starting October 21.
  - These can be accessed and favourited to support immediate workflow needs while re-personalization is underway.
Updated Training Materials:
- - Refreshed resources will be available by October 20 to guide prescribers through the changes.

What You Can Do Now (click to expand/collapse)

Review your current order sets and prepare for re-personalization (see list of impacted order sets under "Key Changes for Prescribers" above).
Bookmark and watch this page for updates closer to launch.
Bookmark Help Desk contact info for launch week.
For questions or personalized support, contact:
- - Dr. Alan Sobey – Physician Design Lead (PDL)
  - help.cmio@ahs.ca